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How hard are coding interviews?

Coding interviews can vary in difficulty depending on the level of the position you are applying for and the company you are interviewing with. For example, interviews for entry-level positions may focus more on foundational programming concepts and basic algorithms, while interviews for senior-level positions may involve more complex algorithmic problems and system design questions.

Additionally, the difficulty of coding interviews can vary based on the type of interview. Some coding interviews may involve solving coding challenges on a whiteboard or paper, while others may involve coding challenges on a computer with access to documentation and the internet. Some coding interviews may also include collaborative coding sessions with interviewers or other candidates.

Overall, coding interviews can be challenging, but with practice and preparation, you can improve your skills and feel more confident during the interview process. It's important to brush up on fundamental programming concepts and practice coding problems to prepare for coding interviews.

Preparing for coding interviews​

Here are some tips to help you prepare for coding interviews:

  • Practice coding problems: Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal. This will help you improve your coding skills and get familiar with the types of problems you may encounter in coding interviews.
  • Review fundamental programming concepts: Review fundamental programming concepts like data structures, algorithms, and complexity analysis. Make sure you understand how to implement these concepts in code.
  • Learn about the company and its technologies: Research the company and its technologies to get a better understanding of what skills and knowledge they may be looking for. This can help you tailor your preparation to the specific job you are applying for.
  • Mock interviews: Practice mock interviews with friends, family, or through online platforms like Pramp or interviewing.io. This can help you get comfortable with the interview format and receiving feedback can help you improve your performance.
  • Brush up on technical communication skills: Practice explaining your thought process and solutions clearly and concisely. This can help you communicate effectively with interviewers and demonstrate your technical communication skills.
  • Be familiar with your preferred language and tools: Make sure you are familiar with your preferred programming language and the tools you may use in the interview, such as an IDE or text editor.

Remember to take breaks and not to burn yourself out. It's important to have a good balance of practice and rest to maintain your focus and energy during the interview process.