Earlier quoted context omitted.
a * * * * * *
If I'm supposed to feel dumber, it's working.
a-hole
Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?
21–30 of 55 posts
Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?
#22Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
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 problem…
Some friendly feedback: I clicked through to your article about the two pointer technique and, AFAICT, there's nothing for me to do or read here. It says "In this guide, we'll cover..." but it's not clear how to actually view the guide. I'm guessing - without having clicked around at all - that my next step would be to create an account and visit the page again, but that's not at all clear to me as an unauthenticated user.
I do see a small "Login" on the bottom right of the page, as well as "Sign in" and a highlighted "Upgrade" at the top. But there is no CTA telling me what my next step should be. Maybe users of your site who land on this page will know what that step should be, but you might want to add some direction for people who randomly land on it via SEO/SEM or links on forums.
Cheers!
ETA: in a search for some action, I clicked all over the graphic and on a couple phrases in the intro to see if they would take me somewhere. If you're tracking clicks, it might be worth looking at whether other users are doing similar things.
Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?
#24You 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 ever…
> when you struggle on a freaking leetcode problem
I'm all for the message of "get help if you need it," and it sounds like OP needs the help of a professional, so I upvoted your comment. But minimizing the triggering event is not helpful; the things you see as trivial or unimportant might be insurmountable or critical to someone else.
Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?
#25It's not possible for everyone to be at the end of the curve. Be content with what you can reasonably achieve.
If it helps, maybe move somewhere with a better wage to cost of living ratio.
Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?
#26[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
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 problem…
Some friendly feedback: I clicked through to your article about the two pointer technique and, AFAICT, there's nothing for me to do or read here. It says "In this guide, we'll cover..." but it's not clear how to actually view the guide. I'm guessing - without having clicked around at all - that my next step would be to create an account and visit the page again, but that's not at all clear to me as an unauthenticated…
I had the same experience; at the very bottom of the screen are "next" and "back" buttons. But it took me a while.
Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?
#28I recently got into one of FAANG & the following are the steps I took to get there:
- Create a study curriculum.
- Each topic in the study curriculum should contain both reading & practice material.
- The reading material tells you about the data structure or algorithm and practice lets your reinforce what you just read.
- Spread this over a long period of time say 6 months.
- Practice everyday, I cannot emphasise this enough.
- Limit to about 2-3 hours a day.
- Give mock job interviews weekly or bi-weekly. See https://www.pramp.com
- Be kind to yourself these questions are hard on purpose.
You will notice a gradual improvement in your problem solving skill and general knowledge about the problem space. You might even begin to enjoy it (that's what happened to me). Diving blindly into just solving problems is a poor strategy. The key is balancing reading & understanding the data structure or algorithm with solving actual problems.
Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?
#29> I'm not interested in companies that do alternatives to coding interviews as they generally pay significantly worse than what I'm expecting, but whenever I do Leetcode problems I frequently dive into the depths of depression and self-harm
Maybe getting a lower salary is very well worth it if it lets you avoid the self harm and depression. SE salaries in general are pretty good so even if you’re in the lower end of the scale it’s decent. Not everyone can earn 300k total comp by working for the usual suspects, earning 80–100k if you don’t live in overpriced cities/countires is still a pretty good life.
Re: Ask HN: How does one have the mindset to study for coding interviews?
#30I hear you. And there is good advise in the comments, but one thing I'd think you should also explore is your emotional response when you hit the harder parts of a problem. Sometimes, it is not the lack of knowledge or understanding of a subject, but the emotional response (subtle anxiety, anger, stress etc) that hinders progress when you hit an uncomfortable stage in problem solving. To add to it, leetcode and interviews have the added pressure of time limitations.
Observe your emotions - there may be a completely different solution to your problems.