How to ACE the Take Home Interview Project

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the prevalence of take-home projects in software engineering interviews at tech companies. They offer six tips to excel in these assignments, emphasizing the importance of setting up the right environment, following instructions carefully, focusing on the core problem, optimizing later, going the extra mile with additional features, asking clarifying questions, and providing a write-up on design decisions and potential improvements. The aim is to stand out in a competitive field by demonstrating thoroughness and initiative.

Takeaways

• 🛠️ Set up your development environment before starting the take-home project to avoid wasting time during the project's time limit.
• 🔍 Triple-check all instructions and code provided to ensure clarity and that the project can be easily set up and tested by others.
• 🎯 Focus on solving the core problem first and then optimize later to ensure the main requirements are met before time runs out.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Go the extra mile by adding features beyond the core requirements if time permits, to set yourself apart from other candidates.
• ❓ Don't be afraid to ask clarifying questions if the prompt is unclear or ambiguous to avoid misunderstandings and potential rejection.
• 📝 Provide a small write-up on design decisions, examples, and potential improvements to give reviewers insight into your thought process.
• 🕒 Be aware of the time limit for the project and plan accordingly to ensure you can complete the project within the given timeframe.
• 📦 Organize your project with a README or similar documentation to guide others through building, running, and testing your code.
• 🔑 Include detailed instructions in your project submission to help the reviewers understand and replicate your setup without issues.
• 🚀 Prioritize the core functionality of the project and consider enhancements as additional steps once the basics are solidified.
• 🤔 Reflect on your design decisions and improvements in a concise manner, even if the company does not explicitly require it, to showcase your understanding and foresight.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is providing tips on how to excel in take-home projects during the interview process for software engineering roles.

Why are take-home projects common in tech company interviews?

Take-home projects are common in tech company interviews because they are a standard way to assess a candidate's coding and problem-solving abilities in a practical setting.

What is the first tip given for handling take-home projects?

The first tip is to set up your environment before starting the project to ensure you have everything needed to complete the task within the given time limit.

Why is it crucial to triple check instructions and code provided in take-home projects?

It's important to triple check instructions and code to avoid misunderstandings and to ensure that anyone testing the project can set it up and run it without issues, which can be a deciding factor in the interview process.

What does the script suggest doing first when working on a take-home project?

The script suggests focusing on solving the core problem first and then optimizing later to avoid running out of time or doing a poor job in the final stages of the assignment.

What is the benefit of going the extra mile in a take-home project?

Going the extra mile can set you apart from other candidates by showing initiative and the ability to add value beyond the basic requirements of the project.

Why should candidates ask clarifying questions if they are unsure about the project prompt?

Asking clarifying questions helps to ensure that the candidate fully understands the project requirements, preventing potential misunderstandings that could lead to rejection.

What is the purpose of providing a small write-up on design decisions, examples, and potential improvements in a take-home project?

The write-up helps the reviewer understand the candidate's thought process, design choices, and areas for future enhancement, providing a deeper insight into their capabilities.

What is the script's stance on the necessity of take-home projects in the software engineering interview process?

The script acknowledges that take-home projects are here to stay and emphasizes the importance of mastering them to succeed in the competitive software engineering job market.

How often does the speaker intend to post content on their channel?

The speaker intends to post content on their channel every single week, focusing on coding interviews and occasionally branching out to other topics.