How to prepare for a technical interview (software engineer edition)

As a software engineer, technical interviews can be a daunting prospect. However, with the right preparation and mindset, you can give yourself the best chance of success. In this article, we'll cover some tips and resources to help you prepare for your next technical interview.

Review the basics

Before diving into complex algorithms and coding challenges, make sure you have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of programming, data structures, and algorithms. Review key concepts and syntax in the programming languages and tools you'll be using in the interview. Some useful resources for reviewing the basics include:

Khan Academy's Introduction to Algorithms course

Coursera's Data Structures and Algorithms Specialization

The Algorithm Design Manual by Steven Skiena

Practice coding challenges

Many technical interviews include coding challenges to test your problem-solving skills. Practice solving problems using resources like:

LeetCode: a website with a wide range of coding challenges and problems

HackerRank: another popular platform for coding challenges and skill assessment

Project Euler: a series of challenging mathematical and computational problems

Get familiar with the company and its products

Research the company and the products or services they offer. Understand the company's mission, culture, and values, and how your skills and experience align with their needs. This will help you answer questions more effectively and show your enthusiasm for the role. 

Know the interview format

Different companies have different interview formats. Some may focus on coding challenges, while others may include system design questions or behavioral interviews. Make sure you know what to expect and prepare accordingly. You can use resources like:

Interview Cake: a website that provides advice and practice problems for technical interviews

Cracking the Coding Interview by Gayle Laakmann McDowell: a popular book that provides tips and practice problems for technical interviews

Practice communication skills

Technical interviews often require explaining your thought process and problem-solving approach to the interviewer. Practice communicating your ideas clearly and concisely. Some resources for practicing communication skills include:

Toastmasters International: a nonprofit organization that helps people improve their communication and leadership skills

Coursera's Business Communications course

Seek feedback

Practice technical interviews with friends, mentors, or others in your network who can provide feedback on your performance and help identify areas for improvement. You can also try:

Interviewing.io: a platform that provides anonymous technical interview practice with engineers from top companies

Pramp: a website that provides free peer-to-peer mock interviews

Stay calm and confident

Remember that technical interviews can be nerve-wracking, but it's important to stay calm and confident. Take deep breaths, ask clarifying questions if needed, and approach problems systematically.

By following these tips and using the resources provided, you can feel more confident and prepared for your next technical interview.