How long is a coding interview?

The length of a coding interview can vary depending on the company and the specific role, but there are some general timeframes you can expect:

Typical Duration:

1. Standard Coding Interviews:

   • Most coding interviews last between 45 minutes to 1 hour. This duration is common in tech companies, including big names like Google, Amazon, Facebook (Meta), Microsoft, and others.

2. Phone or Online Screenings:

   • Initial screenings, often conducted over the phone or via an online platform, might be shorter, typically around 30 to 45 minutes. These are usually to gauge your basic coding skills and problem-solving abilities.

3. Onsite Interviews:

   • For onsite interviews, which often consist of multiple interview rounds, each coding session usually lasts about 45 minutes to 1 hour. However, you might have several of these sessions in a day, with breaks in between.
   • The entire onsite interview process can last from 4 to 6 hours, sometimes spread across different days.

Structure of the Interview:

• Introduction: A brief period (5-10 minutes) at the start for introductions and sometimes a quick discussion about your background and experience.
• Problem-Solving: The main part of the interview (30-45 minutes) involves one or more coding problems. You're expected to think aloud, write code, and discuss your solutions and thought processes.
• Q&A: Most interviews end with a short period (5-10 minutes) for you to ask questions about the team, project, or company.

Tips for Time Management:

• Understand the Problem Quickly: Use the initial few minutes wisely to make sure you understand the problem completely. Clarify any doubts right away.
• Plan Your Approach: Spend a couple of minutes planning your approach before jumping into coding.
• Keep Track of Time: Be aware of the time, especially if you're working on multiple problems. It's better to fully solve one problem than to partially solve two.
• Allocate Time for Testing: Save a few minutes at the end to test your solution and check for any errors.

Final Note:

• The time might seem short, but with practice, most candidates find it sufficient to demonstrate their coding abilities.
• For online interviews, ensure you have a stable internet connection and a quiet environment.
• For onsite interviews, factor in time for breaks, lunch, and informal chats with potential team members.

Preparing for the time constraints of coding interviews is an important aspect of your overall interview preparation. Practice coding within these time limits to get a feel for the pace and pressure of the real interview.