WHY EXPERT PROGRAMMERS FAIL CODING INTERVIEWS; Cracking these Coding Interviews.

By JeweL. U

Coding interviews are becoming increasingly common in the tech industry, shaping how developers are hired. While coding interviews can be challenging for both experienced/inexperienced programmers, many techniques can help you as an experienced programmer prepare for and perform well in them.

In this article, we will explore reasons why experienced programmers may fail coding interviews and offer tips on how to overcome these tiresome challenges.

Now we are going to break it down into two parts, we have the Technical & Non-Technical;

NON-TECHNICAL REASONS

Overconfidence and Inadequate Preparation.

Expert programmers may feel overconfident in their ability to tackle challenges thrown at them simply because they have been in the field for years.

Nevertheless, preparation is vital for success in any interview, regardless of the industry. Preparation can include researching the company, understanding the technical skills required, reviewing coding languages and algorithms, and scheduling mock interviews with other professionals.

Nerves and Anxiety.

Coding interviews can be high-pressure situations that may cause anxiety or nervousness, especially if the interviewer is unknown, the job is desirable, or there is a short deadline.

However, a healthy level of anxiety can be used to motivate the interviewee toward better performance. Therefore, techniques like deep breathing, relaxation strategies, and confidence-building exercises can help reduce interview anxiety and enhance performance.

Inadequate Problem-Solving and Communication Skills.

Coding interviews focus on the interviewee’s problem-solving ability and communication. Therefore, it is important for programmers to be able to clearly express their logic, reasoning, and thought process during interviews. Furthermore, it is important to practice communicating technical matters concisely, accurately, and in terms that anyone can understand.

TECHNICAL REASONS

Lack of Proper Debugging.

During coding interviews, coders must debug code thoroughly. Debugging involves identifying and fixing issues in the code. This is an essential skill that requires practice.

A possible solution is to adopt an iterative debugging method starting with small segments of code, verifying their correctness, and iterating until the entire solution is complete.

Difficulty in Applying Data Structures and Algorithms.

Expert programmers may find applying data structures and algorithms to solve problems in different environments challenging. These problems are common in coding interviews, and the inability to apply known algorithms may cause experienced programmers to feel anxious, leading to unsatisfactory performance.

However, a useful strategy is to master data structures, algorithms, and design patterns in their respective fields and to be able to extrapolate those concepts to novel problems.

Inefficient Time Management.

Time management is vital during coding interviews. Expert programmers may spend too much time trying to come up with an optimal solution, leaving little to no time for implementation.

Therefore, having an effective time management strategy that allows for acknowledging restraints and prioritizing essential stages in the problem solution can improve overall performance.

Inadequate Familiarity with New Tools/Libraries.

Experienced programmers may not have experience with specific libraries or tools that a company may test them on. This problem can be overcome by researching the available libraries and tools and familiarizing oneself with their functionality.

Additionally, one can review documentation, experiment with code, or work on personal projects to discover new possibilities.

Inability to Think Outside the Box.

During coding interviews, candidates must think creatively outside of their comfort zone to solve challenging problems. Instead of focusing on the coding languages themselves, it is essential to acquire a general programming mindset that enables one to approach problems critically.

You can employ techniques such as divide and conquer or abstraction to break problems into smaller pieces and simplify the solution.

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In conclusion, coding interviews can be daunting for experienced programmers, but being aware of the potential challenges, preparing accordingly, and employing effective strategies can significantly improve their chances of success. Remember, preparation is key, and this includes researching the company, understanding the job requirements, and reviewing technical concepts, algorithms, design patterns, and libraries.

Even if the first few interviews do not yield the desired results, remain optimistic, motivated, and patient. Interviews provide opportunities to learn, gain experience, and improve. By analyzing feedback from failed interviews, further Technical Skills, and honing one’s Mindset/Soft Skills, it will only be a matter of time before the next interview leads to success.

So, take an active approach to prepare successfully for coding interviews, and remember, just like finely tuned code, with continuous learning and adaptation, any challenge can be overcome.

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Good luck!