What to expect in a 1 hour coding interview?

A 1-hour coding interview is a standard format in the tech industry, designed to assess your coding skills, problem-solving ability, and sometimes your understanding of algorithms and data structures. Here’s what you can typically expect:

Structure of the Interview:

1. Introduction (5-10 minutes):

   • A brief exchange of introductions.
   • The interviewer might give an overview of the interview process.

2. Technical Questions (40-45 minutes):

   • One or two coding problems to solve. These could range from simple algorithmic problems to more complex ones involving data structures, algorithms, or dynamic programming.

3. Coding Process:

   • You’ll be expected to write code in a shared document, on a whiteboard, or in an online coding platform.
   • You may be asked to run your code through some test cases.

4. Discussion While Coding:

   • Explain your thought process as you code. Interviewers are interested in how you approach problems, not just the final answer.
   • The interviewer might ask questions or offer hints.

5. Problem-Solving Approach:

   • You may need to discuss the time and space complexity of your solution.
   • Be prepared to discuss alternative solutions or optimizations.

6. Wrap-Up and Your Questions (5-10 minutes):

   • The interviewer will usually leave a few minutes at the end for your questions. This is a good time to ask about the team, projects, or the company culture.

What Interviewers are Looking For:

1. Coding Skills: Ability to write syntactically correct code that solves the problem.
2. Problem-Solving Ability: How you break down and solve complex problems.
3. Efficiency: Writing code that is not only correct but also efficient and optimized.
4. Communication: Your ability to clearly articulate your thought process.
5. Error Handling: Checking for and handling potential errors or edge cases in your code.

Tips for Success:

1. Practice: Regularly solve coding problems from platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or DesignGurus.io.
2. Mock Interviews: Practice with mock interviews to get comfortable with the format.
3. Think Aloud: Always verbalize your thought process during the interview.
4. Clarify Requirements: Make sure you understand the problem before starting to code. Ask clarifying questions if needed.
5. Keep it Simple: Start with a simple solution, then optimize. Don’t try to write the most complex or fancy solution right away.
6. Be Ready to Adapt: If the interviewer suggests changes or points out issues, be flexible and ready to adjust your approach.

Remember, the goal of the coding interview is not just to get the right answer, but also to demonstrate your technical proficiency, problem-solving skills, and ability to work through challenges under pressure.

Ref: Coding Interview Bootcamp