Crack coding rounds in Big Tech

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Prepare for Coding Rounds in Big Tech

1. Understand the Importance of Coding Rounds in Big Tech

   • Coding rounds are used by big tech companies to assess your ability to write clean, efficient, and maintainable code.
   • These rounds also evaluate your problem-solving skills, communication abilities, and how well you work under pressure.

2. Communicate with Your Recruiter

   • Your recruiter is your ally in the preparation process.
   • Discuss the type of interview, expectations, helpful materials, and timelines with your recruiter.
   • Ask for insights from someone working in a similar role and request mock interviews to gauge your preparation.

3. Prepare for the Coding Rounds

   • Allocate around 4 to 5 weeks for preparation.
   • Practice consistently to improve your data structures and algorithms skills.
   • Stay committed and don't give up easily, as many candidates drop out early in the preparation process.

4. Approach the Interview

   • During the interview, showcase your communication, problem-solving, and testing skills.
   • Restate the question to ensure you understand the problem statement correctly.
   • Ask clarifying questions to gather more information and show your critical thinking skills.

5. Develop Your Solution

   • Start with pseudo code to organize your thoughts before writing actual code.
   • Discuss your approach out loud with the interviewer to simulate a real-world working environment.
   • Implement the interviewer's suggestions if they align with your approach.

6. Write Clean and Modularized Code

   • Use good variable names and add comments to explain your functions.
   • Utilize helper functions to write maintainable and easy-to-understand code.
   • Write test cases to validate your code, demonstrating accountability and leadership skills.

7. Handle Follow-Up Questions

   • Expect follow-up questions that may involve design patterns or modifications to your code.
   • Modularize your solution to accommodate potential follow-up questions and showcase scalability.

8. Final Steps

   • Review your code for logical and runtime errors.
   • Be prepared for additional challenges or tasks post-interview, such as onboarding and understanding legacy code.

9. Additional Resources

   • Consider using educational platforms like Educative for system design and coding preparation.
   • Take advantage of available resources and discounts to enhance your preparation.

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively prepare for coding rounds in big tech companies and increase your chances of success in the interview process.