u/Electronic-Lettuce32

I recently joined Cognizant as a azure data engineer with 3.10 years experience and I’m trying to get allocated to an Azure Data Engineer / Databricks project.

I’ve cleared internal interviews through self-study and preparation, and I’m comfortable with SQL, PySpark coding, Spark concepts, Databricks, ADF, Delta Lake, and most theoretical topics.

The challenge comes during client interviews. I can answer technical questions and write SQL/PySpark solutions, but I struggle when interviewers start asking deep scenario-based questions such as:

Tell me about a production issue you solved.

Explain a real streaming use case you worked on.

What security model did you implement?

Why did you choose one architecture over another?

How did you troubleshoot a failed production pipeline?

At that point I feel my lack of hands-on project experience becomes visible, and my confidence drops.

I’m trying to figure out whether:

This is mainly a confidence issue and I need to get better at communicating what I know.

I genuinely need more practical experience building end-to-end projects.

Both.

For those who successfully moved into Azure Data Engineering or Databricks roles without initially having strong production experience:

What helped you bridge the gap?

Did you build personal projects?

How did you prepare for scenario-based questions?

What skills or experiences finally made client interviews easier?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to buy a new badminton racket with a budget of ₹3,000–₹3,500 (can stretch a little if it’s really worth it).

About me:

Intermediate to advanced level player
Mostly play doubles

Aggressive/attacking style and love smashing
At the same time, I need a racket that’s quick, lightweight, and easy to maneuver for fast defensive exchanges and drives at the net.

I’m currently considering:

Yonex Arcsaber 11 Play

Apacs Z-Ziggler Reborn

Li-Ning options (Air Force G3, Ignite series, etc.)

Has anyone used these? Which one would you recommend, or are there any better options in this price range?

Would love to hear your experiences, especially from doubles players.

Thanks in advance!

Additionally anyone suggest me good shoes under 2-3k..

Hi everyone,

I recently joined Cognizant and received a one-time password (OTP) for my initial account setup.

I’m following the instructions provided:

Signing in through mysignins.microsoft.com
Entering the OTP manually
Trying to set a new password

However, every password I try results in the following
error:

“Your new password doesn’t meet your organization’s password policy. Try something else, or ask your admin for tips.”

I’ve already tried:

Passwords longer than 12 characters
Uppercase and lowercase letters
Numbers
Special characters
Passwords that don’t contain my name, employee ID, or personal information

No matter what password I use, I get the same error.
Has anyone faced this during
Cognizant onboarding or Microsoft account setup?
Could this be an account provisioning issue rather than an actual password policy issue?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m an intermediate badminton player and usually play a few times a week .

I’m looking for a good pair of badminton shoes with a budget of around ₹2,000, but I can stretch it to ₹2,500 if the upgrade is worth it.

My priorities are:

Good grip on indoor courts

Decent cushioning

Durability

Value for money

I’ve heard about brands like hundred ,Yonex, Nivia, Vector X, ASICS, and Decathlon, but I’m not sure which models are best in this budget range.

Not a wide feet 👣

What shoes are you currently using, and what would you recommend for someone at my level?
Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,
I’m 25 years old, around 5’8”, and fairly lean. I’ve been planning to buy a Honda 350 and have narrowed it down to the CB350RS and the Hness CB350.
I visited the showroom and test rode both bikes. Now I’m more confused than before.

What attracts me towards the RS:
I absolutely love the red color.
The bike looks sportier and more youthful to me.
Every time I look at it, I feel excited about owning it.
What attracts me towards the Hness:
It felt more comfortable during the test ride.
The riding posture felt more relaxed.
The pillion seat is noticeably better.

My usage:
Mostly daily office commute.
Occasional weekend rides.
Rarely long tours.

One thing that’s bothering me is future practicality. Right now I’m single, but I keep wondering whether I’ll regret not getting the Hness later because of the better pillion comfort if I get married or start riding more often with a passenger.
At the same time, I don’t want to buy the Hness and then keep looking at the RS and wishing I had bought the bike I actually liked visually.

For owners who have lived with either bike for a while:
Did you choose comfort over looks or vice versa, and do you regret it?
How significant is the difference in pillion comfort in real-world usage?
For mostly city commuting, which one would you pick today?
If you were in my position, which one would you buy and why?
Would really appreciate honest owner feedback.

Hi everyone,

I currently have around 3.10 years of experience working in data engineering at TCS. My tech stack includes Azure Data Factory, Databricks, PySpark, SQL, and Azure-based ETL pipelines. I’m also DP-203 certified.

Current CTC: 7.8 LPA
Current in-hand: ~51k/month

I recently received an offer from Cognizant for 11.4 LPA for a Databricks/Azure data engineering role.

I wanted to understand from the community:

- Is 11.4 LPA a fair package for my experience and skillset in the current market?
- Is there still room for negotiation after onboarding formalities have started?
- I don’t currently hold another written offer, though I’m interviewing with other companies.
- Would pushing harder for 12–13 LPA be realistic or risky at this stage?

Would appreciate honest opinions from people working in data engineering / big service companies.

Thanks!