How I Became a Software Engineer @ Twitch, Spotify, and Meta

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares a comprehensive and structured strategy for preparing for software engineering interviews. They emphasize mastering foundational algorithms and data structures, using resources like 'Grind 75' and LeetCode for practice. For system design, they recommend studying Grokking the System Design Interview and leveraging tech blogs and mock interviews. The speaker highlights the importance of practicing under pressure, doing daily problems, and studying company-specific questions. The goal is to help viewers effectively prepare for interviews and land their desired tech jobs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on mastering foundational algorithms and data structures like arrays, binary trees, and linked lists for software engineering interviews.
• 😀 Follow the Grind 75 list to cover the most common interview topics and practice key concepts.
• 😀 Leverage LeetCode's subscription for access to lock questions and mock interviews to enhance your preparation.
• 😀 Practice consistently by solving one to two questions a day, simulating real interview conditions by speaking your thought process out loud.
• 😀 Supplement practice with daily LeetCode questions and participate in weekly coding contests to improve under pressure.
• 😀 For system design, use free resources like Grokking the System Design Interview and YouTube channels focused on key topics such as CDN, caching, and databases.
• 😀 ChatGPT can be a helpful tool for learning definitions, clarifications, and getting critiques on system design approaches.
• 😀 When preparing for specific companies, use LeetCode problem sets, Glassdoor interview questions, and tech blogs like Netflix and Uber's engineering posts.
• 😀 Be strategic in your approach by not doing random questions, instead focusing on structured practice that targets weak areas.
• 😀 Practice writing out system designs, such as Instagram, including API designs and database schemas, to gain real-world problem-solving experience.
• 😀 Stay motivated and aim to master concepts to the point where you can quickly complete mock interviews, preparing for any interview challenge.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video provides a comprehensive guide for preparing for technical interviews, particularly in software engineering, covering topics like algorithms, data structures, system design, and resources for practice.

What foundational topics should be covered for interview preparation?

The video emphasizes mastering algorithms and data structures such as arrays, binary trees, and linked lists. These are key topics that commonly appear in technical interviews.

What is the 'Grind 75' list and why is it recommended?

'Grind 75' is a curated list of 75 LeetCode problems that covers common interview topics. It’s recommended because it helps candidates get a good grasp of the most important algorithms and concepts typically tested in interviews.

What is the benefit of a LeetCode subscription?

A LeetCode subscription allows access to locked questions, many of which are valuable for practicing for interviews. The subscription also provides additional features like mock interview setups and the ability to track progress.

How should candidates approach practicing for system design interviews?

For system design interviews, the speaker recommends using free resources like *Grocking the System Design Interview* and learning about topics like CDNs, databases, and caching. It’s also useful to practice by designing real-world systems (e.g., Instagram) and asking tools like ChatGPT for feedback.

What is the importance of mock interviews in preparation?

Mock interviews are beneficial for simulating real interview pressure. They help improve time management and communication skills, though the speaker notes that practicing with just one or two problems a day while explaining solutions out loud can be effective too.

Why is it recommended to supplement practice with daily or weekly contests?

Daily questions and weekly contests on platforms like LeetCode help build consistency and provide an opportunity to code under pressure, mimicking the time constraints faced in real interviews.

How can candidates prepare for company-specific interview questions?

Candidates can search for interview questions specific to companies on platforms like LeetCode, Glassdoor, or tech blogs. This helps them understand how certain companies approach technical challenges.

What role does ChatGPT play in the interview preparation process?

ChatGPT can be used to clarify concepts, define technical terms, and provide feedback on design solutions, such as critiquing API or DB schema designs. This helps candidates improve their understanding of system design and other technical topics.

How does studying tech blogs from companies like Netflix or Uber help in interview preparation?

Tech blogs from companies like Netflix or Uber offer insights into how these companies solve engineering challenges. Reading them helps candidates learn best practices and prepares them for questions based on real-world industry scenarios.