Maximize Your Coding Interview Prep: Proven Tips for Acing Your Next Technical Interview

As you embark on your journey to prepare for coding interviews, it’s important to recognize that there is a lot to cover in order to be fully prepared.

While it’s natural to focus on brushing up on technical questions, it’s equally important to consider how you practice those questions in order to maximize your preparation.

Here are a few tips to ensure that you get the most out of your practice sessions:

1) Identifying and addressing weaknesses

One of the most challenging aspects of practice is knowing what to focus on. By tracking where you struggle, you can better identify areas that require more attention.

Keep a notebook handy, and after each question, take a moment to reflect on what you got wrong and what helped you overcome those challenges.

Compare these notes to any tips or strategies you’ve come across to help you improve.

2) Mastering the art of coding on a whiteboard

Coding on a whiteboard can be awkward at first, but it’s an important skill to master.

Take the time to practice on a piece of paper or, if possible, a real whiteboard.

To make the experience more manageable, start in the top-left corner to maximize space, leave blank spaces between each line of code, and take an extra second to think about descriptive variable names.

3) Simulating real-time pressure with a timer

To get a sense of the time pressure of an actual interview, set a timer for 30–45 minutes and try to complete a problem within that timeframe, including debugging your code at the end.

If this adds too much stress, save this technique for later as you become more comfortable with solving problems.

4) Developing the skill of thinking out loud

During an interview, you will likely be expected to think out loud, so it’s important to get used to this practice.

To help you become more comfortable, consider working with a buddy or a non-technical friend.

Have them sit in while you work through a problem and talk through your thought process.

5) Building a consistent practice routine

To make practicing a habit, commit to setting aside a specific time each day to practice.

A small, daily dose of practice is more effective than a large, infrequent cram session.

By distributing your practice sessions, you’ll learn more with less time and effort in the long run.

Summary

By implementing these strategies, you’ll be better equipped to make the most of your practice sessions and ultimately perform at your best during an interview.

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Till then, Happy Coding