How to Prepare for Coding Interviews?

Getting hired by Top IT companies might be stressful, particularly when it comes to the coding job interview. However, don't panic! It doesn't matter if you are a novice coder or someone with years of experience, all coding interviews can be managed easily if you have the necessary preparation. This tutorial will offer a concise description of the fundamental skills and behaviors needed to succeed

1. Make Sense of the Interview Outline

Achieving success in a coding interview with a target company begins with the client understanding the workflow. Here is something to look out for

• Dummy Screening: One of the reviews and a short description of some technical aspects.
  
• Coding Contest: Answer examination puzzles on algorithms and data structures.
• System Design: Talk about scaling and architecture when asked about senior positions.
• Communication and Teamwork interview questions: Include those at the end that dealt with other matters in addition to the technical details.

Pro Tip: Research previous interview questions and reviews from platforms like Glassdoor, AmbitionBox, or LinkedIn. This can provide insights into the specific company's interview process.

Get a grasp of the outer structure and all shall fall into place.

2. Focus on the Technical Interview First 

What Should Be Taken Into Consideration:

• Duration: It's a given that all the interviews will be between the time of 45 minutes to an hour.
• Coding Platform: Be ready to work with platforms such as LeetCode, HackerRank, or even coding in person.
• Collaborative Problem Solving: Each interview is a conversation, not an individual sport, so be ready to deliver your explanation of your movements.
• Technical and Behavioral Questions: Its guarantees that you will be asked questions that are technologically related and also challenges related to teamwork and strategizing.

How Many Rounds?
Typically:

• Software Engineers: 1-2 tech rounds, and then 2-3 coding onsite tasks.
• Other roles: There is hardly a need for more than a single coding interview.

When to Start Preparing: Get yourself prepared to spend at least 80-100 hours and spread them across weeks and allocate 1-2 hours of daily work to yourself as it will help you.

3. Select the Appropriate Programming Language for the Interview

There is absolutely no denying that an interview is about a problem that requires to be solved but choosing a language that you will find comfortable and easy to use will prove to be helpful. Some of them include the following:

• Java: Java is a powerful backend development language known for its reliability.
• Python: Gives a chance to write code faster and is the best for algorithms or scripting purposes.
• JavaScript: A good language focusing on the front end but mostly used for web development projects.
• C#: A versatile language often used for developing Windows applications, game development with Unity, and backend services with .NET.

Focus on your strongest language and be sure to watch out for pre interview details of the language.

4. Follow this easy 5-step strategy that has proven to be effective

Step 1: Recognize and comprehend the question

• Explain the issue: Interrogate the issue to guarantee comprehension
• Plan: What can be the exceptional cases or boundaries?

Step 2: Prepare a Strategy Plan

• Do some brainstorming: Speak about some of the solutions that could work.
• Investigate the Best One: Identify the most ideal solution and outline how it will be carried out

Step 3: Solve the Problem

• Eliminate clean code as a concept and implement it: Go straight into wafting with the code and avoid writing pseudo code.
• Disclaimer: Explain what your critiques are about more with regards to the portrayal of the code you have developed.

Step 4: Confirm that the Solution is Correct

• Examination of the Primary Test Cases: Use some basic test cases to validate without a doubt that your code indeed functions
• Checking for boundary cases: Take on such limiting situations that seem as if they could make all the code disintegrate in on itself.

Step 5: Refine and Optimize

• Review the Time and Space Complexity to enhance your performance: Take into consideration the performance of your means in other areas in addition to coding - by concentrating on time wasted on execution as well as space used. Moreover, ensure that you focus on enhancing the quality of your code.

5. Increase Your Efficiency for Problem Solving

The ideal strategy on improving in coding interviews is by practicing and practicing every day, with practice being the most effective way. Here's how you start:

• Start Small: Find simple problems and start explaining them. Receiving contributions with regards to different techniques such as a dynamic programming program or simply a sliding window manager.
• Conduct Mock Interviews: Write code, whilst being mindful of time, as if you are in an actual job interview.

Bonus Tips for Success:

• Don't Rush to Code: Take some time to understand the problem regardless of how it might appear. Go through your thought process with your interviewer.
• Break the Problem Down: Divide the problem into several sub-tasks. It helps you to maintain clarity and describes your approach to solving the problems.
• Use Pseudocode: Write the required algorithm in pseudocode form before going ahead with coding. It aids in organizing your mind.
• Acknowledge Tradeoffs: Each of the solutions poses a certain cost. Share these with your interviewer to demonstrate how you arrived at your conclusion.
• Pay Attention to Hints: Be alert for minor hints from the interviewer?they are probably attempting to assist you in reaching a better conclusion.

6. Refine Your Behavioral Responses

Communication skills match coding skills equally. Exhibiting relevant examples while answering behavioral questions based on STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is important. During the interview, expect questions that would demonstrate your ability to work in a team, your problem-solving skills, or your leadership skills.

7. Showcase Your Projects

Particularize yourself by showing your zeal through individual projects. Post your projects to GitHub or any suitable website and concentrate on the development of the application in accordance with the position applied for.

8. Simulate Real Interview Conditions

Conduct yourself as if you are in an Interview already. Use collaborative coding tools such as CoderPad, and express what you are thinking. Record your sessions to assess and attempt to progress.

Conclusion: Be Prepared for the Interview

Technical interviews today are not as daunting as they used to be. Understanding the scope of the interview, creating a logical plan and doing practicing as necessary will help a lot in this.
All the best - your ideal job is one interview away!