← Series B+ Startup Interview Insights
First, solve the initial problem by clearly stating assumptions, walking through your algorithm, and analyzing complexity. Then, for the follow-up variation, systematically identify what changed, adapt your solution, and design test cases that cover edge cases, normal cases, and the specific modifications introduced.
Pro tip: When constructing test cases, explicitly state the expected output for each case and explain why you chose it—this demonstrates thoroughness and helps catch logical errors before coding. Also, consider both functional and non-functional aspects like performance and scalability, which are crucial in a startup environment.
Ask clarifying questions to understand constraints and edge cases. Then, outline your approach, implement it, and test with a few basic cases.
Identify how the variation differs from the original problem. Determine what aspects of your solution need to change and whether the core algorithm still applies.
Modify your solution to handle the variation. Then, systematically design test cases: normal cases, edge cases, and cases that specifically target the changes.
Walk through each test case manually or with code, comparing actual vs. expected outputs. Discuss any discrepancies and how you would fix them.
Analyze time and space complexity of the adapted solution. Mention any trade-offs made and potential optimizations, especially relevant for a startup.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.