Complete Beginner’s Guide to Preparing for Coding Interviews in 2025

Learn how you can prepare for coding interviews as a beginner in 2025

You’ve probably heard it a hundred times: coding interviews are tough and for a good reason.

They challenge your problem-solving skills, test your technical knowledge, and evaluate how well you can think under pressure.

Many beginners worry about how to start, what to study, and whether they’re truly ready. But here’s the truth—every great coder was once a beginner and practice is what makes everyone perfect.

We have compiled this guide to help you build a solid foundation and develop a winning strategy for any coding interview.

Let’s break it down step by step.

Step 1: Understand What to Expect in a Coding Interview

Most coding interviews follow a predictable structure:

Problem-solving: Solving algorithms or data structure problems on a whiteboard or shared screen.
Technical knowledge: Questions about languages, frameworks, or fundamental concepts like SQL or Python tricks.
Behavioral questions: Assessing your teamwork and problem-solving mindset.

Want a deeper dive into the process? Check out 8 Tips to Prepare for Coding Interviews for insights from experts.

Step 2: Start With the Basics

Don’t dive into advanced topics like dynamic programming or graph algorithms on day one. Build your fundamentals first:

Master essential data structures: Arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, and hashmaps.
Understand common algorithms: Sorting, searching, and recursion. Learn more in this detailed guide on common algorithms.
Brush up on coding in your preferred language. For Python learners, here’s a handy guide: Can I learn Python using LeetCode?.

Step 3: Practice Smart, Not Hard

You might think solving hundreds of LeetCode problems is the answer, but there’s more to interview prep than grinding. Focus on solving a variety of patterns and understanding why solutions work. Check out Is Grinding LeetCode Enough for Your Interview Prep? to avoid common pitfalls.

Step 4: Build Your Problem-Solving Skills

Great problem-solving is about breaking big problems into smaller pieces:

Ask clarifying questions: Understand the requirements before you start coding.
Think aloud: Communicate your approach while coding—it’s as important as the solution.
Optimize your solution: Start simple, then improve performance.

For inspiration, explore Coding Interview Prep in 2024.

Step 5: Practice Mock Interviews

Simulating a real interview is one of the best ways to prepare. It helps you get comfortable with pressure and improves your communication skills. Consider practicing with friends or using mock interview services for feedback.

Step 6: Learn to Think Like an Interviewer

Interviewers look for more than just correct answers. They evaluate:

Your approach: Do you break problems into logical steps?
Your attitude: Are you calm under pressure?
Your collaboration: Can you explain your thought process clearly?

Your Next Steps

Start small, stay consistent, and believe in your ability to improve. Coding interviews are not about memorizing solutions; they’re about showcasing your ability to solve problems under pressure.

With the tips above, you’re already ahead of the curve!

To get a head start, explore DesignGurus.io’s Grokking the Coding Interview courses, designed by experts to help you master coding patterns and land your dream job.

FAQs

Coding Interview