12 Tips on How to Approach a Coding Interview

If you are searching for valuable tips on how to approach your next coding interview, read this post till the end! This post will help you understand what an interviewer looks for in a candidate during a coding interview.

1. Thorough Research – Prepare Yourself Before A Coding Interview

Before an interview, you should always gather as much information about the company as you can. What products does the company offer? For how long they have been providing those products?

Which industry do they belong to? What do you like the most about them and why does it excite you to work with them? What role have you applied for in the company?

You must answer all these questions thoroughly.

2. Proper Introduction

When you meet your interviewer, follow proper greeting etiquettes. If you are provided with a chance to introduce yourself, give a brief introduction about yourself including your skills, achievements, areas of interest and tech stack.

Try to keep you introduction relevant to the position you have applied to. This gives a very good first impression to the interviewer. You should be very well prepared, as sometimes, you might forget critical points which might be advantageous for that particular role!

3. Practice Problem-Solving Skills – The Gist of a Coding Interview

Well, to crack a coding interview, you should have strong problem-solving skills. This ability can only be developed by solving Data Structures and Algorithms problems.

So, practice consistently. Once you solve plenty of problems, you will gain enough experience and in-depth understanding of concepts. You will observe that your brain automatically starts figuring out which Data Structure or Algorithm will work best for a particular problem.

4. Visualize the Problem Using Diagrams

Once you get a problem statement, the first step is understanding it. After that, start visualizing the problem in an interactive manner with the interviewer. Create some diagrams if required as this gives you a clear picture of what might be the underlying data structure or algorithm for the problem. This will also help you in clarifying any doubts that might arise in your mind. Also, it lets the interviewer know that you understood the problem correctly.

5. Communicate Well

Treat interviewer as your friend as he is the one who will definitely help you figure out solutions when you are stuck. Interviewers too want you to succeed in the interviews. So, express your thought process and share your knowledge so as to let the interviewer know why do you think that a particular algorithm stated by you might be a great solution for the problem.

6. Solve the Problem by Hand Before Coding it

Once you figure out a solution, solve it by hand on paper or a whiteboard. It will help the interviewer know your in-depth understanding of the approach. Not only this, but it also helps you in analyzing a big question! Is the solution proposed by you working the way you had imagined?

7. Optimize the Solution Gradually

Always start solving a problem using a Naive or a straightforward approach. Explain the interviewer why you thought of it?

Then, once you start explaining your thought-process to him, gradually optimize your solution. This way of practicing and solving problems helps the interviewer in figuring out that you understood the problem statement very well.

Sometimes, it might happen that you get stuck, in that case, he would be able to give you an insight regarding a different perspective of the same problem.

8. Give an Intuitive Solution

Always provide intuitive solutions which are both optimal and easy to grasp.

If you encounter an already-solved problem, be practical! Remember that your optimized solution should never be notoriously complicated.

Choose your solution wisely, so that the interviewer can process your idea instantly. That is how software engineers solve real-world problems. So, always strive for it!

9. Look for Edge Cases

Once you finalize you code or pseudocode, dry run it using various test cases on your solution to figure out the edge cases or the breakpoints present. This shows the interviewer that you give importance to minute details which might cause problems if not handled properly and you have the ability to write bug-free code.

10. Write Production Ready Code – Final Step for a Coding Interview Problem

Do you remember the concept of Object-Oriented Programming from the previous post? Always make sure, that you write Production-Level Code.

Create classes and objects in your code wherever required. Follow proper naming conventions. Create separate functions so that they can be reused. Give meaningful names to variables and indent your code.

11. Positive and Optimistic Attitude

Have a cheerful attitude full of energy. It helps in reducing any stress or anxiety before interviews.

12. Have Patience

If you are unable to solve a problem, do not worry. Stay calm, and continuously interact with your interviewer so that he can provide you with some hints in the right direction. You will soon figure out a solution for the problem!

I hope this article helped you in learning about the topic you were looking for. If you found this article helpful, share it with your friends and peers who want to learn programming in a fun way!

And I will see you in the next one😀.