You’re probably familiar with the difficulties of applying for jobs if you have ever created a resume or sent a cover letter. In fact, it is difficult and stressful. Worse still, it’s always time-consuming and tiresome. However, software developers are more affected by this struggle than others. That’s because developers must pass multiple coding exams, behavioral interviews, and whiteboard tests. Thus, new programmers are constantly looking for coding interview advice. Algo.monster will guide you through the basics of how to prepare for a coding interview.
What is a Coding Interview? (The general procedure of coding interviews)
Although every company has its own screening process for a coding interview, they share a similar general structure.
Selecting Resumes: A company first reviews all resumes for an open position and then identifies the candidates they would like to see.
Phone Interview: The company will schedule a short phone interview to gain a better understanding of the candidate’s skills, interests, and cultural fit.
Remote Coding Assignment: This assignment is intuitive. Yet, it could be the best way to assess a candidate’s abilities by giving them a test. An employer might assign the challenge via videoconferencing platforms or ask the employee to complete it on his own on a set date or time.
Onsite interview: The company may ask for a whiteboard challenge on-site to determine if a candidate is a good match for their company. A whiteboard test asks applicants to solve a problem and write the solution on a whiteboard. After that, the candidates have to explain their process.
What is involved?
- Coding skills
- Analytical problem solving
- Communication and collaboration techniques
- How they accept feedback and critics
- Cultural fit
The truth is, in spite of their introversion reputation, interviewees are more into showing off their technical abilities instead of pleasing the interviewers. And hired data shows that 42% of interviewees consider coding exams to be the most stressful part of the interview process. Also, about 40% agree that whiteboard sessions are the toughest part.
What do you want the company to get from your coding interview?
Here are what you want to show to your future employers.
Technical skills
Tech companies hire the best coders, which is what a coding interview primarily focuses on. However, they are more about conceptual understanding, not memorization. Usually, they assess a candidate’s programming skills in subjects such as data structures and algorithms.
Culture and values
This is everything about the company’s culture. As a matter of act, the company will expect you to know the culture of the company where you are interested in working. Undoubtedly, any company wants to hire people who are respectful of their culture and beliefs.
Cognitive ability
General cognitive ability includes your ability to think abstractly, solve problems, be curious, and be prepared to learn. In fact, companies seek gifted and intelligent programmers. So, people who can think in complex ways about their team and their projects will get what they want.
Leadership features
Leadership ability is crucial. Companies look for leaders who are gifted and have emergent leadership skills. Some companies regard this ability as managing complex issues while still maintaining safety and ethics. What’s more, they are also looking for employees who can organize others to open communication.
Know about the Company and your employers (as mentioned in the culture tip)
Do you think you can breeze through an application by using a generic letter and adding your target company’s name at the last minute? You might be wrong! Actually, you might want to start your search for ways to practice for a coding interview.
It’s easy to see when a candidate doesn’t do their research and doesn’t care about the mission or ethos of their potential employer. The truth is interviewers value candidates who are willing to do their research and show an interest in the company’s work.
Coding interview advice:
Spend some time looking through the company’s blog, website, and social media profiles. This will give you a better understanding of the company’s culture and values. At least, you should know what their main focus is about. For instance, what languages they code in, what’s their preference, and so on.
And, it’s good to mention any ongoing or current projects the company has made public. Because doing that shows your interest in the company as well as your research.
Also, it’s better if you can ask questions specific to this company during the interview.
Figuring out the coding interview questions that you may encounter
This is the most important tip for coding interviews. Spending time at home working through coding interview questions will help you be more prepared. Because similar questions or even the same questions might show up. If that happens, you’ll be so ready to tackle these problems during the interview.
In fact, based on the current data, shows that interviewees who have answered specific questions before their interview were more likely to be “hirable” by their interviewer. Thus, reviewing possible coding issues and professional questions is perfect.
Coding interview tips for your information:
Take imitated tests to get ready. Also, practice interview questions to get familiar with common coding interview problems.
Think of questions interviewers might ask you. These questions may about your skills and qualifications, or some non-technical problems. Then, brainstorm some questions to answer.
Well, it’s always a good idea if you can have a mock interview with your friends.
Maybe it’s time to go back to the Basics
In fact, after entering the job market, no one wants to return to class for basic ideas. However, what if you could take a trip back to your classes and land the job of your dreams?
Interviewers are looking for applicants who have a solid understanding of the basics, regardless of whether they learned them through a degree program or a coding boot camp. While it is nice to be able to write in a new language, employers really want to see that applicants can problem solve and can code well. Instead of trying to learn new skills the day before your interview, take some time to build your foundation and practice solving problems.
Here are some key techniques that you should focus on: data structures, dynamic programming, etc.
Tips for the Coding Interview:
It’s wise to make a plan to schedule your preparation. For example, spend two hours a day reviewing your foundational skills and the potential questions.
Practice as many problems as you can before the interview. Well, practice makes perfect!
Review any notes from previous classes.
Conclusion
Coding interviews preparation takes time and effort. But it’s worth it if you get into a tech giant eventually. Hopefully, you’ll get yourself ready for your next coding interview with these tips.
