Airbus: Aerothon Cheat Sheet

Hi, I'm Akshay. At the time of writing this, I'm currently an Associate Systems Engineer at Airbus India. Please feel free to contact me LinkedIn / Twitter for any further queries

DISCLAIMER: Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the owner, and do not represent those of Airbus, unless explicitly stated. I, the owner will also not be liable for any personal losses or damages from the display and/or use of this publicly available information.

I wanted to use this platform inorder to streamline certain questions one may have regarding the upcoming Aerothon 6.0.

DISCLAIMER: I have merely done the job of accumulating already publicly available information.

I understand the rather dry market situation right now, so I thought I'd put together a couple ~~insider information~~ observations together, and make a handy guide so you can maximise the potential out of this opportunity.

Introduction

Some pre-requisites before I get right in

Check E-mail Everyday: Keep an eye on your Inbox.
Mark your calendars: Set your alarms. You have no excuses if you missed a deadline. No one can help you if it's too late.
Read Instructions Carefully:

Certain Statements will have certain words attached after them, to indicate facts from an educated guess. Everything mentioned in this blog is factual with low chance of change, unless explicitly mentioned with **.

Hackathon

Prize 1 Lakh INR - 1st, 2nd, 3rd place EACH.

Job Offered Role: Associate Systems Engineer (~ SDE 1 equiv. of Airbus) Location: Banglore Salary Range: 9L - 12L** (Glassdoor) Profiles:

Engineering & PLM solutions**
ERP Solutions and Operations**

Note: The domain profile offered compared to previous Aerothon 5.0 has been relatively cut down, noted via Aerothon 6.0 HackerEarth Homepage.

My Timeline

To give you guys an idea, of how long processes actually take, here's a timeline.

5 Month Long Process end-to-end

Gave Aerothon HackerEarth Test - 29th April
Aerothon 5.0 Finale - 13th May
Personal Details Confirmation - 29th May
Interview Schedule Details - 20th June
7 days prep time.
Technical Interview (30 minutes) - 27th June
HR + HOD Interview (30 minutes) - 29th June
Offer Letter Received - 14th July
Joining Date August 8th

Step 1: Resume & Good Luck Charm

Please prepare your resume well. Have a solid resume. I will not be making a guideline for how to make a resume, but here's what mine looks like - Akshay's Resume

I used FlowCV to make this

Best of Luck!

I did this, and it doesn't hurt to do this whatsoever. The hackerearth page even asks you to send your resume here at airbusindia.careers@airbus.com. I did it, you should do it too.

Maybe.

Step 2: HackerEarth Test

Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

20 MCQ + Short Answer
- CS Fundamentals 3x3
- OOPS 3x3
- Aptitude 3x3
- SQL 1x4
2 Coding Questions (medium)

Step 3: 24hr Hackathon + Virtual Event**

** This section is merely inferred from the last Aerothon

The main event is called the Aerothon Finale, which consists of:

Hackathon
Talks
Meetups
Gala Event
Road Show

You'll be doing one of the 2 things during the main event.

fixing your hackathon code
exhasted from pulling the all-nighter

however try your best to make notes from the events that unfold, they'll come handy later on during Interviews.

It'll be held on a platform called - Airmeet I personally think it is a beautiful platform, that really makes virtual events fun. I think it was a killer find on Aibus's part.

The last Aerothon (5.0) still has the airmeet agenda up and running if you want to take a look - Aerothon 5.0 Event | Airmeet

You will simply be able to attend the hackathon upon just participating. You will receive the nomination for hackathon results on May 10.

You have to immediately form teams of 3 - 5**, the team members need to have been selected for the hackathon, so don't forget to bring your A team. Hackathon format - 24 hour**

The problem statement would be handed to you a day before the Finale (Evaluation + Main Event).

Although you will be extremely exhausted, please pay attention to what other teams present, if you're given the opportunity.

Step 4: Waiting

You do get e-mails in between that you have to pay attention to. Even though you have given all possible details, Airbus sends a good number of emails that require following up.

Step 5: Prep Time

To Airbus's credit, I'm really glad they gave me that prep time of a week. I was able to brush up all my CS Fundamentals, and really read what was written on my resume. Yeah, you heard that right, even I didn't remember, what I had given on my own resume.

Because you have to remember

Resume Submit - April
Interview - June

In these 2 months had a whole another project ready by the time the interviews were scheduled.

Before you start studying anything advanced, remember:

Interviewer only asks you what you've mentioned on your resume. Order your skills and projects in descending order of your confidence with it.

Eg: Skills: React, Javascript

on youtube, look up : 2. "<insert skill > crash course" (if not confident in topic)

"<insert skill> interview questions" (once you are familiar)

I truly gave those 7 days my all, don't think I studied any harder for anything else. I also remember it was the week where my college announced my final semester result, and the combined CGPA had made my Mom cry. Sigh.

Step 6: Technical Interview

Duration: 30 minutes**

These where the questions I was asked.

Introduce Yourself
What are access specifiers?
Explain how inheritance would work between the access specifiers
What are constructors? What kinds of constructors exist?
Objects vs Classes?
What is a final class (OOPS)?
Difference between break and continue and give an example.
If in while loop you encounter return what happens? What happens in case of in a function? (asked about return 0 in int main())
Linear Search vs Binary Search
Describe one Machine Learning Algorithm
Give real life example of relationship in SQL.
Creatively come up with a way python can be used in Airbus.
What are the 3 pillars of Airbus? (not core values)

I'll be honest, I did not get all the questions right. Didn't know what a final class was, didn't know the 3 pillars of Airbus (I still don't lmao). But I did not NOT answer a single one. The interviewer will also try their best to make sure you understood the questions correctly.

Eg:- I misunderstood the return statement question, so I answered something correct, but not to the question. They were kind enough clear out the misunderstanding.

ALWAYS ask if the your answer satisfies their question - this is to avoid misintepreting questions, but not if you answer is wrong.

If you're unsure, be confident that you're unsure. ".. I'm not too sure, however, I think it is ...".

Don't stop trying.

And one pro tip.

Actually care about the questions asked.

I definitely asked the interviewer right after the interview what the answer was to the ones I knew I missed. (I still don't know remember the Airbus pillars lmao).

This shows that you care about feedback, and are actually curious about the subject.

Here are the portions you need to be fairly familiar with (if you're from CS background)

CS Fundamentals
Operating Systems OS
Computer Networks CN
Database Management Systems DBMS
Object Oriented Programming OOPS

Outside of these, it is mostly general in nature, if you're from a Non-CS background, they will tone down on the difficulty of the questions, but do come prepared on the above concepts.

Airbus has so far only asked questions that were on the resume. If you have DS Algo on the resume, expect DS Algo questions / solving. Basically rank your skills on the resume in the descending order of confidence.

If you refer to my resume I personally went for the DEV route, as I simply was not comfortable with showcasing my DS Algo capabilities. Pick your strongest weapon wisely.

If you've done your best on the prep time before your interview, you only have thing to now do.

HYPE YOURSELF UP!

Talk to yourself!

I'm not joking. There was a mindset that I had brought myself to believe, where I could've moved mountains or even KO'd Muhammad Ali. The amount of controlled narcissism that I put into myself was insane. I literally felt like a god 5 minutes before the interview.

PS. This only works for low confidence introverts, do not ever come off as cocky. You only need to feel unstoppable.

Step 7: HR + Head Of Department Round

Duration: 30 minutes**

This is basically the behavioural round, where you are accompanied by an HR, and a Head of any of the Departments.

You are basically tested for pretty much 2 things:

Communication Proficiency \ Competency
Intent of joining Airbus

You are tested for your ability to communicate ideas across, and listen for inputs.

Learn to clarify if you've misunderstood anything that the interviewer is telling you.
Do not hesitate to make them repeat it.
Don't monologue, or give one word answers. Keep the answers brief, to the point, and about a minute long

These were the questions I was asked.

Introduce yourself and your family background? (take as much time as you need)
Take us through your Resume
Difference between React and Javascript?
What are your strengths in a project?
Why do you want to join Airbus?
Would you be okay if we gave you a different role than what you prefer?
Plans 5 years from now?
Recent display of Teamwork / Leadership / Conflict Resolution
Do you have any questions for us?

Do not ever leave a question unturned. All questions are in-place for a reason. Don't be like Kavya below:

Kavya is a dude friend of mine, don't be like Kavya!

Here's how I cleared these.

The questions I've marked in orange are the most important ones is according to me of the utmost importance. They always ask that question in multiple forms, which is why please go through this video by Mike.

"Tell Me About Yourself"

Tell Me About Yourself | Job Ready English
Tell Me About Yourself Part 2 This is where you get to show your charisma, character development, maturity.

"Why do you want to join Airbus"?

You can be honest. Think deep about how what you're doing ties in with Airbus.

You could be thinking, "Damn, I work in XYZ field unrelated to Airbus, what do I say." Get creative.

I didn't come from an Aerospace background, yet I had 2 unique things going for me.

College had an Aerospace Dept.
I had friends in Aerospace Engineering.

" ... Although I come from a CS Background ... a huge part of my college culture was all about Aerospace ... we have a decommmissioned MIG 21 on display ... Kalpana Chawla is our esteemed alumni ... "

"... Engineering is all about tolerancing, and aerospace has the strictest standards of them all, due to the amount of lives involved ... I initially had minimal interest ... however seeing my friends in aerospace, such motivated and talented individuals ... work day and night with marginal returns ... "

" ... Countless nights they come to my room discussing about supersonic flow, what is the difference between a ramjet and a scramjet, grid independence test (the ML / AI hype of their domain), cryogenic engines, the list is endless ... "

" ... this is also how I found out Boeing uses Phillips head screws, and Airbus uses offset screws ..."

" ... Don't get me wrong, I am very much interested in my domain and what I do, but watching their dedication and passion move them, puts me in such awe ... How can one not build mutual trust and admiration for such an industry that has such wonderful people ... "

Don't stop

" ... If these are the kinda talented individuals that Aerospace and Airbus attracts and I am also allowed to focus on my own domain, where else would I want to be? ... ".

The menu is limitless, all you have to do is cook.

I honestly at that felt the achievement of the verbal equivalent of sweeping someone off their feet. I literally felt that Preparation met Opportunity type Luck moment right there.

"Do you have any questions for us?" Yes, you do? did you really just figure out everything about this job already? You have to convince yourself that you already got employed.

"Can you share more about the roles you guys are looking for?"
"What is your personal favourite part about working in Airbus?"
"Are there any concerns you have regarding my candidacy?"
"If I do get selected, what would you like me to bring to the table?"
"Can I get an honest feedback about the interview I've given so far?"

The last three questions are literally a litmus test for the interviewer's confidence in you. That aside, these are the questions that will ground you back to reality. Especially after you've brought yourself to an elevated state of confidence to counter the nervousness of giving one of these interviews.

Definitely give the following topics a thought as well. You have to come across as charismatic and interesting. So think about these and have answers prepared for them. I have cited some of my personal examples for reference.

Personal Background
Fun facts about yourself
- My government name is literally Akshay Kumar.
- I can type at 130 wpm. (subtle flex)
- I write my personal diary which gets frequently pushed to Github. (no you cannot fork it)
Routine (productive)
Achievements - Personal and Professional.
Motivation / Drive - what makes you get up in the morning, for years to come.
- I wrote about how I strive to achieve Ikigai (balance)
- A person that people can count on during hard times.
- Provide a community to people that don't fully belong, like it was once provided to me.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Failures (and how you've overcome it)

Finally one final video by Mike again. -

Please keep in mind th STAR format with which you can prepare a script for all your answers.

Airbus Specific

Remember how I said Airbus tests for 2 things?

Tell Me About Yourself / Personal Introduction
Intent of Joining Airbus / Why Airbus / Why this Sector?

The second requires a lot of research and reading.

Airbus's Core Values - 2C 2R IT
- Customer Focus
- Creativity
- Respect
- Reliability
- Integrity
- Teamwork
Airbus's Motto "We pioneer sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world"
Airbus 3 Pillars
- Innovation
- Sustainability
- Safety
Airbus Products & Services
- Commercial Aircraft - Passenger, Freighter, Corporate
- Helicopters - Civil, Military
- Defense
- Space
- Security

Additional Resources

Airbus's Official Website - 20 min

Conclusion

Please consider giving Aerothon a shot, I hope it gives you an opportunity, as it once did me, saving me out of immense trouble.

Thank You Airbus. I would like to pay it forward. I only have immense gratitude.

And as for others still looking for employment, Keep going, keep at it. There is light at the end of your tunnel. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I'll leave quote here by Raj Vikramaditya / Striver

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