← Series B+ Startup Interview Insights
The cruel part is I'd been doing this stuff every day for months and stopped a week before the interview because I was told it wouldn't be this.
First, clarify the problem requirements and constraints by restating them and asking questions. Then, outline a brute-force solution and optimize it using appropriate data structures and algorithms, explaining your reasoning as you code. Finally, test with edge cases and discuss time/space complexity.
Pro tip: While coding, verbalize your thought process and trade-offs to demonstrate adaptability and problem-solving skills. If you get stuck, take a step back and consider simpler approaches or analogies.
Restate the problem in your own words, ask clarifying questions about input/output, constraints, and edge cases. Confirm your understanding with the interviewer.
Discuss a brute-force solution first, then propose an optimized approach. Explain the data structures and algorithms you'll use and why.
Write clean, modular code in your IDE, explaining each step. Use meaningful variable names and handle edge cases as you go.
Run through test cases, including edge cases, and debug any issues. Verbally walk through the code's execution.
State the time and space complexity of your solution and discuss potential improvements or trade-offs.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.