Is it normal to fail coding interviews?

Yes, it is completely normal to fail coding interviews. Many successful software engineers and developers have faced multiple rejections before landing their desired job. Coding interviews can be challenging and often require a combination of strong technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and good communication. Here are some points to consider:

Why Failing is Normal

1. High Standards:

• Top tech companies have rigorous interview processes to ensure they hire the best candidates.
• The questions are often designed to be challenging and test a wide range of skills.

2. Learning Curve:

• If you are early in your career or new to coding interviews, there is a steep learning curve.
• It takes time and practice to become proficient in data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving techniques.

3. Performance Under Pressure:

• Coding interviews are high-pressure situations that can affect your performance.
• It’s common to make mistakes or have difficulty thinking clearly during an interview.

4. Skill Development:

• Each interview is an opportunity to learn and improve.
• Over time, repeated practice and exposure to different types of questions will enhance your skills.

How to Handle Failure and Improve

1. Reflect on Your Experience:

• After each interview, take some time to reflect on what went well and what didn’t.
• Identify specific areas where you struggled or made mistakes.

2. Seek Feedback:

• If possible, ask the interviewer for feedback.
• Constructive feedback can provide valuable insights into areas where you need improvement.

3. Practice Regularly:

• Consistent practice is key to improving your coding interview skills.
• Use platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, and DesignGurus.io for regular practice.

Suggested Resource: Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions from DesignGurus.io

4. Learn from Others:

• Join coding communities and forums to learn from others’ experiences.
• Participate in mock interviews to simulate real interview conditions and get feedback.

5. Focus on Problem-Solving Patterns:

• Understanding common coding patterns can help you tackle a wide variety of problems.
• Grokking the Coding Interview focuses on these patterns and is a great resource.

6. Improve Communication Skills:

• Practice explaining your thought process and approach out loud.
• Good communication can make a significant difference in how interviewers perceive your problem-solving abilities.

Example of a Typical Journey

First Few Interviews:

• Struggle with basic problems due to lack of familiarity with the format and pressure.
• May fail to complete problems within the given time.

After Several Interviews:

• Start to recognize patterns in questions and become more comfortable with the format.
• Improved ability to manage time and stress during interviews.

After Extensive Practice and Feedback:

• Able to solve most medium and some hard problems efficiently.
• Stronger performance in mock interviews and real interviews.
• Increased confidence and better communication during problem-solving.

Conclusion

Failing coding interviews is a common part of the journey for many software engineers. It's important to view each failure as a learning opportunity and continue to practice and improve. Utilize resources like Grokking the Coding Interview from DesignGurus.io to help you build a strong foundation in problem-solving patterns and improve your chances of success in future interviews. With persistence and dedication, you can overcome the challenges and succeed in coding interviews.