Have coding interviews gotten harder?

Summary

The transcript covers the evolution of coding interviews over time, contrasting the experience of a former Google tech lead in 2009 with the more rigorous algorithm-focused interviews seen nowadays on platforms like LeetCode. There is discussion around how the interview bar has risen as more engineers specifically prepare for these tests, with companies responding by asking increasingly difficult technical questions. The speaker ultimately argues this arms race is unhealthy, as mastery of algorithms and data structures is not the sole measure of a strong engineer. He does confirm though that Google still mostly asks LeetCode mediums rather than hards in interviews.

Takeaways

• 😊 Conrad didn't use LeetCode to prepare for interviews back in the day because it didn't exist yet
• 📚 Instead he used books like Cracking the Coding Interview and practiced with others
• ⏳ LeetCode was created in 2015, so it's a relatively new resource for interview prep
• 📈 Google initiated the trend of asking more algorithm and data structure problems in interviews
• 🚀 Many LeetCode questions come directly from Google's internal question bank
• 🤯 The bar for passing coding interviews has gotten higher over the years as more engineers specifically prepare
• 🙅‍♂️ Asking LeetCode hards in interviews often backfires by testing if candidates have seen that exact question before
• ☹️ The overemphasis on algorithms in interviews doesn't necessarily surface the best engineers
• 😅 You're still more likely to be asked a LeetCode medium than a LeetCode hard, even at Google
• 😡 Don't be a jerk interviewer who only asks LeetCode hards!

Q & A

When did the concept of the modern coding interview start, and who pioneered it?

Google pioneered the modern coding interview with data structures and algorithms problems in the 2000s.

What resources were engineers using to prepare for interviews before platforms like LeetCode existed?

Before LeetCode, engineers prepared by reading books like Cracking the Coding Interview and practicing problems together.

How do many LeetCode questions originate from Google's internal question bank?

Many LeetCode questions come from Google's internal question bank, often being posted publicly years after first being asked in interviews.

Why does the interview bar seem to keep getting higher as engineers prepare more?

As more engineers specifically prepare for algorithm questions, companies compensate by asking harder questions to maintain their hiring bar.

What are the issues with companies asking extremely difficult algorithm questions?

Asking very hard questions often just tests if candidates have seen that exact problem before, which is not a good evaluator.

How has the state of the economy impacted coding interviews recently?

In the current economy, the coding interview bar has been exaggerated and made more difficult.

What is the most common difficulty level of coding questions asked today?

Most coding questions today are still at the medium difficulty level, even at top companies like Google.

Why are algorithms questions not the best indicator of engineering skill?

Algorithms knowledge is important but not a complete indicator of what makes a good engineer.

What advice does the speaker give to interviewers?

The speaker advises interviewers not to ask extremely hard algorithm questions.

What resources does the speaker recommend for preparing for interviews today?

The speaker recommends LeetCode as better preparation for modern coding interviews than books like Cracking the Coding Interview.