Hunting for a software developer job? Well, a coding interview round is on the cards, and one can’t really avoid it. So, wondering how to pass coding interview round and already feeling tensed about it? No need to be, as we are here to help. We will be sharing over here, a few usefulcoding interview tips that would help crack the toughest of coding rounds. Go past this one, andconsider yourself there….the job is almost yours!
- Expert shared coding interview tips foraspiring developers
- During practice solve as many coding problems as possible
According to the experts in this field, there is no option but to practice as many coding problems as one can. Doing this would not just condition the brain to identify the algorithmic patterns inside the problems, but would also provide an individual the much needed confidence. This in turn would facilitate in solving an altogether new problem. It would make the job that much easy.
Having the knowledge ofcoding patterns such as Two Pointers, Cyclic Sort, Sliding Window, Merge Intervals etc. can come in handy while solving zones of regularly asked coding problems.
In case one needs some coding problems for practice, they can be looked for on the internet. E.g.try out searching for algorithms and data structure questions from interviews.
Also, websites such as Hackerrank and Leetode are useful ones for the same. Both these sites possess a large database that comprises of all kinds of questions that one can choose from. Target 1-3 problems on a day and check out the solutions of other people along with their approach, to improve your own logic.
- Undergo a mock interview
Practice is what matters. Doing mock interviews with friends is definitely a recommended and good idea. Especially with those who are involved in the process of job search. That’s because communication is equally important just like problem solving or coming up with code solutions. So, make use of this opportunity to practice putting your thoughts into words while thinking of a solution and putting down your code.
In the event that your friend’s aren’t available, interviewing.io is yet another option. This site allows setting up of mock interviews with engineers from the industry. They will undergo a usual technical interview along with you, and provide a valuable feedback at the end. This we feel, would serve the purpose.
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- Focus on software design skills
Expect the toughest problems in coding interview rounds on system designs and software designs. Questions such as how would you design sites similar to Amazon or Facebook often takes the candidate by surprise as they are confused thinking where to begin and where to stop. Not exactly their fault, more often than not, they simply aren’t aware about system designing and how various components of the system work in sync to perform a common task. Therefore, it becomes important that one has the knowledge of software designing and comprehend the plus and minuses of every designing decision taken.
Talking about the real time scenario, it mostly turns out to be a trade-off. E.g. if speed is the requirement, one got to spend more memory. Likewise, if the memory is to be reduced, the speed needs to be compromised. There isn’t any ideal system in this world but trade-offs like these define the success or failure of a system.
Experts therefore suggest and emphasize onsolving problems related to designs.
- Seek help but do not go overboard
There could be situations where one might become clueless about what to do and how to go about it. In such a case, it is fine to seek guidance. Yes, from the interviewer! Of course the interviewee would not want the interviewer to tell the solution, however, one would want to get the right direction from him/her. If a hint or two helps one to come up with the right solution, there is no harm and would be considered a positive feedback. It would portray that you can think independently with proper guidance.
Although there is no problem in seeking some amount of help, asking for too much is not recommended. That’s because doing this might put across a message that you are not capable of solving the problem. An expert recommended number for hints is 2. Going further than this might significantly reduce your chances of getting the job offer.
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- Do not hesitate to ask questions
Asking questions that would clarify things is welcome. So, do not hesitate to do so. Always remember that no question can be actually termed as a dumb question. Asking questions helps in better understanding of the problem, as your mind begins to work. Putting forth the questions in your mind would help in portraying your confidence and communication skills as well. Here lies your chance to put on display your interpersonal skills,in front of the interviewer. Since team work is going to be an inevitable part of your job, having interpersonal skills happens to be both essential and important.
- Coding
Now that the idea is clear in your mind, it’s the right time to convert your ideas into actual code. Do not turn mute as many do, while beginning to code. Speak out to the interviewer and explain what you are up to and why. E.g. a mention of invariants is an effective way to put forth that you are aware about how your program is turning out. Your coding skills is not the only important aspects of the interview. Reality is that most of the recruiters do not mind if an interviewee messes up the syntax or is not aware how to do something using a particular language. That’s because your thought process also matters to them. In spite of this, the ability to convert your ideas into code easily, is an essential skill.
- Never forget to test your code
Agreed that it gives a feeling of achievement after penning down the last line of your program. However, remember that it is not over here, and the finishing line hasn’t been reached as yet!
Do not forget that it is almost impossible to write a perfect code in the first attempt itself. At least not each time. Therefore, it becomes inevitable to always validate and test your code after writing it. The interviewer finding a bug in your code would create a bad impression. Also, skipping testing does not go by the standard practices followed in Software Engineering. So, ensure every single time that you have put your code through a minimum of two test cases with one of them being an edge case. Remember to communicate during the testing phase as well.
Bring into practice these expert recommended tips, and increase your chances of cracking the coding round.
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