Coding interviews: Everything you need to prepare

Image credit: learntocodewith.me

After speaking with several experienced software engineers from around the world, I believe one of the things engineers dread the most is coding interviews, particularly for data structures and algorithms.

Because of their inability to attempt data structures and algorithms, many experienced developers have missed out on many great job opportunities.

If you’ve decided to begin the arduous process of preparing for your next coding interview and aren’t sure how to make the most of your time, this article will help you go from zero to hero on your coding test.

What is a Software Engineering coding interview?

Image credit: Global Nerdy

Coding interviews are a type of technical interview that is used to assess the competencies of a potential software engineer candidate by presenting them with programming problems. Coding interviews typically focus on data structures and algorithms, whereas other technical rounds may include system design (especially for middle to senior-level candidates).

A coding interview round usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes. The interviewer will ask you a technical question (or questions), and you will be expected to solve the problem in 30–45 minutes using a real-time collaborative editor such as CodePen or CoderPad (phone screen / virtual onsite) or a whiteboard (onsite).

How will you be evaluated during a coding interview?

Image credit: workandmoney

Most companies use a unique scoring system to access candidates. While the terminology used by companies may differ, this system is built around the following criteria.

1. Communication — Clarifying questions should be asked and approaches and tradeoffs should be communicated in a way that the interviewer can easily understand.
2. Problem-solving — Understanding the problem and approaching it systemically, rationally, and accurately while debating various options and tradeoffs. Candidate should possess the capacity to gauge and optimize time and space complexity effectively.
3. Technical competency — Translating discussed solutions into functional code without much difficulty. Clean, accurate execution combined with solid language understanding
4. Testing — Ability to test code against typical and rare situations, self-correcting code errors

How to best prepare for a coding interview?

Solving hundreds of problems on mock interview platforms is not enough to adequately prepare you for coding interviews. Thousands of problems are available on most of these platforms for candidates to solve. You will most likely struggle during interviews if you do not prepare in a structured and strategic manner.

To ace your next software engineer coding interview, try the following approach:

1. Choose an appropriate programming language. Most companies will let you use any language you want.
2. Plan your time and tackle topics and questions in order of their importance.
3. Combining studying and practicing for a single topic is a good idea. Avoid randomly solving problems. One topic at a time.
4. Find a mentor or interview buddy who is willing to run mock interviews with you.
5. Prepare an effective self-introduction and closing questions for your interviewers.
6. Try out my 3-Month Software Engineering Interview Prep
7. If you have some spare time, endeavour to understand the key patterns of technical interview questions.

If you need assistance starting a career in technology, please send me a DM on LinkedIn. I’d be delighted to support you as you navigate the tech industry.