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Preparing for Coding Interview in 2023
Coding interviews are like a rollercoaster ride for most software engineers: some love them, some hate them, but they all have to strap in and ride the wave. The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to interviewing incoming software engineers for specific or general positions. It could be a high-level conceptual conversation, a screen-sharing interview on Collabedit, a whiteboarding session, paired coding, or any number of other styles. The tech industry has yet to settle on a consistent pattern or style of interview.
This means that engineers and developers often find themselves scrambling to prepare for every interview, as the topics and level of difficulty can vary drastically from company to company. In the past, a common approach has been to have the interviewee write code on a whiteboard while talking through their thought process. It may seem odd and somewhat dated, but it serves a purpose beyond just testing coding ability — it also tests communication skills and ability to think on one’s feet. However, as with any process, it’s important to constantly reassess and optimize for modern implementation.
Why Coding Interviews Are Standard
Engineers and their experiences with coding interviews are like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re going to get. It’s a sensitive and controversial topic, with some comments and stories so bloody hilarious they’ll make your ears bleed.
But it’s true — technical interviews often don’t reflect the real work engineers do. When was the last time you saw a developer write in-depth code on a whiteboard during their day-to-day job? And don’t get us started on topics covered in coding interviews that are never seen outside of them. When was the last time a front-end React developer had to traverse a B-Tree algorithmically? Hopefully never.
That said, there are some interviews that do represent real-world problems and those can be exciting for candidates. It’s a rare treat when a coding assignment feels like an opportunity to add real value and understand the company’s problems.
