The unfair way I got good at Leetcode

Summary

The script provides advice on effectively preparing for coding interviews. It recommends focusing first on learning common solutions rather than attempting to solve questions from scratch. This builds intuition within topics more quickly. It advises solving questions in an interview-style setting to practice split attention required in actual interviews. It notes the importance of quality over quantity in practice, focusing on foundational and common topics. It cautions against getting caught up in exotic solutions, emphasizing reasonable solutions that demonstrate competence. Finally, it encourages diligent, consistent practice over time to develop reliable interview skills.

Takeaways

• 📝 Starting your coding interview preparation journey can feel overwhelming due to the vast amount of information available.
• 🔥 Early on, focus on learning solutions to develop intuition for problem-solving, rather than attempting to solve questions immediately.
• 🏆 Practice with a structured approach by categorizing questions into easy and medium, and learn common solutions before attempting to solve them.
• 📈 Developing a deep understanding of certain topics can be more beneficial than trying to cover every possible area.
• 🚧 Interviews are less about silently solving problems and more about actively engaging the interviewer with your thought process.
• 📚 Quality over quantity: Focus on understanding common patterns and solutions rather than trying to solve as many questions as possible.
• 🖥 Utilize resources like Pramp to practice technical questions in a more realistic, interview-like setting.
• 📊 Interviews tend to focus on foundational topics like arrays, trees, and data structures over more advanced topics like dynamic programming.
• 📖 Tailor your preparation to the company and role by researching and practicing questions posted by others from similar interviews.
• 💻 Preparing for interviews with hiring managers should include understanding the company’s engineering challenges and weaving that knowledge into the conversation.
• 👍 Consistent practice over a long period is key to becoming proficient in technical interviews; it's a marathon, not a sprint.

Q & A

Why is starting to learn coding for interviews described as difficult?

The difficulty in starting to learn coding for interviews stems from the challenge of being good enough to solve problems to land a job at high-paying companies and the overwhelming amount of information available, making it hard to know where to begin.

What strategy did the speaker use to improve at solving coding problems?

The speaker focused on learning solutions rather than immediately attempting to solve questions. This approach helped in developing intuition more quickly and solving questions faster within specific topics, like binary trees.

What method did the speaker recommend for learning about a new coding topic?

The speaker recommended starting with making two lists of easy and medium difficulty questions, learning common solutions well before practicing solving questions, and then moving on to practice with attention to new patterns or solutions for unfamiliar problems.

How does the speaker describe the experience of solving a question during an interview?

The speaker compares solving a question during an interview to acting on a stage, where the focus is on demonstrating problem-solving rather than quiet contemplation, requiring the sharing of thought processes and keeping the interviewer engaged.

What does the speaker suggest is necessary for effective interview preparation beyond solving medium-level questions?

Effective preparation involves practicing with distractions, similar to an interview environment, to get better at solving technical questions in an interview style. Utilizing platforms like Pramp for this practice is recommended.

What is the significance of the 'pyramid' mentioned by the speaker in the context of practicing coding questions?

The pyramid represents a structured approach to learning, where focusing on foundational topics (the lower building blocks) is crucial as they form the basis for understanding more complex topics and are more likely to appear in interviews.

Why does the speaker advise against focusing solely on finding the fastest or best solution to a problem during practice?

The speaker advises that the goal of practice should be to find a solution that will pass the interview, emphasizing consistency and effectiveness over finding the shortest or most complex solutions, which may not be necessary to secure a job offer.

How does researching specific questions posted by others benefit interview preparation?

Researching and practicing questions posted by others, especially those that have appeared in interviews with specific companies, can provide insights into what to expect and prepare for, as some questions may directly match those in actual interviews.

What is the value of understanding the company and engineering work before an interview with a hiring manager?

Understanding the company and its engineering challenges helps tailor the conversation during the interview, demonstrating interest and insight into the company's work, which can positively influence the hiring manager's perception and potentially secure the offer.

What mindset does the speaker recommend adopting for long-term success in coding interviews?

The speaker recommends adopting a mindset of consistent practice and patience, treating the learning process as a marathon initially and recognizing that becoming proficient may take a long time but will eventually transition into a sprint with sufficient practice.