How to Improve Problem-Solving for Coding Interviews

Problem-solving is at the heart of coding interviews.

Companies emphasize this skill because it shows how you tackle complex challenges, not just how well you write code.

In this guide, we outline effective strategies – from understanding the question to managing time and stress – to help beginners and intermediate candidates improve their problem-solving performance in coding interviews.

Step 1: Understanding the Problem Clearly

Always start by fully understanding the problem.

Read the prompt carefully and ask clarifying questions about anything ambiguous (e.g. input format, expected output).

Identify any constraints (such as input size limits or performance requirements) and think about possible edge cases (empty inputs, null values, extreme ranges) right away.

A thorough grasp of the problem and its edge cases will guide you toward an effective solution and prevent surprises later.

Step 2: Developing a Structured Approach

Break the problem down and plan your solution before coding.

Use a step-by-step approach or even write pseudocode to outline your logic.

Consider whether the problem fits a known pattern (for example, two-pointer technique, tree traversal, sliding window, dynamic programming, etc.), since recognizing a pattern can hint at an optimal solution method.

Explaining your plan to the interviewer not only demonstrates clear thinking but also gives them a chance to provide feedback before you proceed to coding.

Understand the 5 problem-solving methods.

Step 3: Mastering Data Structures & Algorithms

Strong data structure and algorithm knowledge is crucial for problem-solving.

Essential data structures include arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, hash tables, trees, graphs, and heaps.

Key algorithm topics include sorting, searching, graph/tree traversals (DFS, BFS), recursion and backtracking, dynamic programming, and greedy strategies.

Knowing these fundamentals helps you quickly choose the right approach – for example, using a hash map for fast lookups or a BFS for shortest paths.

Use reputable resources to master these topics (for instance, Cracking the Coding Interview and practice on LeetCode or HackerRank).

Understand the common data structures for coding interview.

Step 4: Practicing Effectively

Improving problem-solving skills requires consistent, focused practice:

• Practice regularly: Solve coding problems consistently (daily, if possible) rather than in occasional long sessions. Steady practice builds confidence and retention.

• Use active recall & review: Don’t just read solutions—try to recall or re-explain them later. After solving a problem, revisit it after some time and recreate the solution from memory. Also review your mistakes to understand where you went wrong and how to correct it.

• Do mock interviews: Simulate real interview conditions. Practice solving problems with a timer to get used to time pressure. Try mock interviews with a peer or on platforms (like DesignGurus.io) to practice thinking out loud and get comfortable explaining your approach.

Learn how to start problem-solving.

Recommended Course

• Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions

Step 5: Improving Time Management

Manage your time by dividing the process into phases.

For instance, in a 30–45 minute interview you might allocate about 5–10 minutes to understanding the problem, 20–25 minutes to coding, and 5–10 minutes to testing and refining:

Sticking to a rough time budget ensures you make progress on each part of the problem.

If you’re stuck too long in one phase, it may be better to move on and come back if time allows.

Conversely, don’t rush into coding without a plan – a brief outline of your approach can save you from false starts.

Focus on getting a working solution first, then optimize if time permits. Remember, writing clean code at a steady pace is better than writing sloppy code quickly.

Learn about the 12 problem-solving steps.

Step 6: Handling Stress & Staying Confident

Coding interviews can be nerve-wracking, but there are ways to stay calm and focused:

• Breathe and stay positive: If you feel anxious, take a slow breath. Use positive self-talk (remind yourself “I can do this”) to keep nerves in check.

• Trust your preparation: You’ve practiced, so trust that process. If helpful, visualize yourself successfully solving the problem to build confidence.

• Stay resilient: Even if you get stuck or make a mistake, keep calm and carry on. Interviewers appreciate problem-solvers who handle setbacks well. Remember the challenges you’ve overcome in practice to reassure yourself.

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Avoid these common pitfalls seen in coding interviews:

• Rushing in without understanding: Jumping into coding before clarifying the problem can lead to mistakes. Avoid by taking a moment to restate the problem and confirm requirements first.

• Neglecting edge cases: Only handling the main scenario and ignoring corner cases (like empty inputs or invalid data) can derail your solution. Avoid by explicitly considering edge cases and testing your code against them.

• Not optimizing solutions: Providing a correct but extremely slow solution can be problematic. Avoid by discussing time/space complexity and mentioning possible optimizations once you have a working approach.

Learn about common mistakes to avoid in coding interviews.

Final Thoughts

Improving problem-solving skills is a gradual process.

Understand the problem clearly, plan your approach, master the fundamentals, practice consistently, manage your time, and stay calm under pressure.

By applying these strategies and learning from mistakes, you’ll become more confident and effective in coding interviews.