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Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?

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Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?

#11

Post by sciencewolf »

You need to figure out _why_ you can't do medium problems. If you can solve easy ones, it means you have the fundamentals down, and probably just need more exposure.

250 sounds like a lot, but I'd also be curious how you do the problems, and why you're having issues.

Where are you getting stuck? Are you looking at the answers immediately? Or are you struggling through the problem, and only peeking at hints as much as is needed to make a breakthrough?

Do you think through and recognize the patterns (two pointer, greedy, dynamic, etc) that are needed to tackle the problem, or are you just jumping into code instantly?

What do you do when you get stuck? Do you confidently ask for help, knowing hints are part of the game?

How's your timing? Are you getting in a brute force solution and an optimized one?

Addressing these concerns will reveal where you need work, and then you can continue to get better without being too affected by your current state. Remember, no one was born knowing how to solve these problems, so you can always get better and reach your economic goals.

Small plug -- we created AlgoDaily (https://algodaily.com) to teach programming interview skills using a visual, patterns-based approach. The lessons on approaching the interview and how to prepare might be especially helpful.

Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?

#12

Post by strikelaserclaw »

sciencewolf wrote: post #11

You need to figure out _why_ you can't do medium problems. If you can solve easy ones, it means you have the fundamentals down, and probably just need more exposure. 250 sounds like a lot, but I'd also be curious how you do the problems, and why you're having issues. Where are you getting stuck? Are you looking at the answers immediately? Or are you struggling through the problem, and only peeking at hints as much as…

in my experience, easy problems basically test how well u know the language u code in, they generally involve no knowledge of algorithms or ds. Medium problems generally involve being comfortable applying algo & ds fundamentals to solving problems. Generally, u can solve a medium problem pretty easily in a bad way but u can refine it to whatever degree your skill permits you, they key here is to understand things like space time complexity of your solution and seeing if you can refine it

Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?

#13

Post by davidajackson »

Do as many interviews as you can and you'll start to see the same problems over and over. Treat it more like a fun coding game and think of it less as an interview if you're the type to psych yourself out. Identify what you're weakest at -- be it recursion, trees, systems design and focus on improving in specific areas. You could also create a plot of problem type and measure success/failure and then weight each category based on frequency in order to determine what to study. But it might also be better to take it day by day and not stress to much about the exact results too early on as you warm up.

Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?

#14

Post by sciencewolf »

strikelaserclaw wrote: post #12
sciencewolf wrote: post #11

You need to figure out _why_ you can't do medium problems. If you can solve easy ones, it means you have the fundamentals down, and probably just need more exposure. 250 sounds like a lot, but I'd also be curious how you do the problems, and why you're having issues. Where are you getting stuck? Are you looking at the answers immediately? Or are you struggling through the problem, and only peeking at hints as much as…

in my experience, easy problems basically test how well u know the language u code in, they generally involve no knowledge of algorithms or ds. Medium problems generally involve being comfortable applying algo & ds fundamentals to solving problems. Generally, u can solve a medium problem pretty easily in a bad way but u can refine it to whatever degree your skill permits you, they key here is to understand things lik…

I think I'd agree, but my argument is that going from a medium problem solved "pretty easily in a bad way" to a "fully optimized and efficient way" is easier than most people think. There's only a dozen or so patterns needed.

As an example, if you know the two pointer technique (https://algodaily.com/lessons/using-the-two-pointer-techniqu...), you're well on your way to solving at least 1/3 to half of array problems in a performant manner.

Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?

#15

Post by armitron »

If you don't think there's something seriously rotten with 50+ companies selling "interview preparation" and all sorts of randoms selling you their get-into-Google courses, books and Youtube videos, you're not really paying attention. You should take it as a sign that these parts of the industry are FUBAR and steer well clear. Herd thither, me hither. Stop copying what the pseuds are doing, come up with your own vision and follow it wherever it may lead.

Assuming you're not fresh out of college and have plenty of experience (and skills to go with it), find a job that doesn't put you through this dumb grinder. Odds are it'll be a job you'll actually enjoy doing.

Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?

#16

Post by _alex_ »

You need to spend some time on mental health. if you need help, get help. either stay at your current job or take a new job that you can get now. in either case you need to figure out how to deal with stress and how to value yourself. if you really are going to self harm when you struggle on a freaking leetcode problem, how do you think it’s going to be if you actually get the job you’re aiming for and it’s hard every day?

Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?

#17

Post by Nginx487 »

ignorantguy wrote: post #3

Solving stupid leet code problems doesn't make you a better engineer. Try putting more effort in learning best engineering practices, read books, blog posts and try to implement them in your current job. Don't over think about compensation. Find a company that has good work life balance instead. Trying for more compensation is fine, but you can do find a much fulfilling job if you try to make yourself better.

Doing push-ups every morning does not necessary for your success. It just helps you stay fit. Same with programming puzzles. It won't help you directly during solving your daily problems, it's just push-ups for your brain.

Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?

#18

Post by redis_mlc »

boring_twenties wrote: post #10
redis_mlc wrote: post #8

There's a simple hack for non-FAANG job coderpad interviews. Just do several interviews in a row to learn what the common questions are. Then memorize those 3 or 4 solutions. There's been a move this year to fully using the 1 hour coderpad period with a large problem, so you really need to go in with a prepared solution. (Thanks a lot, a(7) interviewers.) As one of my friends said, "Interviews are a lottery." So do y…

Sorry, but I couldn't find a page named `a` in section 7 of the manual ;) what does a(7) mean?

a * * * * * *

Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?

#19

Post by boring_twenties »

redis_mlc wrote: post #18
boring_twenties wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry, but I couldn't find a page named `a` in section 7 of the manual ;) what does a(7) mean?

a * * * * * *

If I'm supposed to feel dumber, it's working.

Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?

#20

Post by f2000 »

I lost my software engineering job a year ago. In my late 50s I sunk into a depression. A resource that helped me get back on my feet was the works of Dr. David Burns. His website is https://feelinggood.com. He also has a book "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" and a podcast. In my case the feelings of hopelessness and depression that stemmed from my job loss were due to distorted thinking. For example my thinking was along the lines of "I've lost my job, I'm old, I haven't interviewed in decades so no company will hire me, I'm doomed". In reality that was distorted thinking. Sure some companies might practice age discrimination, but not ALL of them. I may be older, but I also have years of experience. It turned out that after about 4 months I found a job with a better company with a pay increase. There is hope and I hope this comment can help you in some way.
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