← Xiaohongshu Interview Insights
Only had about 15 minutes left in the session when this came up.
Start by clarifying the problem constraints and edge cases, then discuss a brute-force solution before optimizing. Implement the optimal solution with clean code, and test with examples to ensure correctness.
Pro tip: Communicate your thought process continuously; interviewers value problem-solving skills and clarity over silent coding. If stuck, simplify the problem or ask for hints to keep moving forward.
Restate the problem in your own words and ask clarifying questions about input size, constraints, and edge cases.
Discuss multiple solutions, starting with brute force, and analyze time/space complexity to identify the optimal approach.
Write clean, modular code with meaningful variable names, explaining your logic as you go.
Walk through your code with sample inputs, including edge cases, and fix any bugs found.
If time permits, discuss potential optimizations or alternative solutions, and reflect on trade-offs.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.