Tips for programmersTips for programmers will help them become an expert even before they start their first coding job

Are you a programmer looking to pass a coding interview on your first attempt? If yes, then you have come to the right place. Coding is evolving to become the core of every application and solution. Starting from healthtech products to space exploration, programming languages are invading every industry vertical. Owing to the increasing growth, almost all sectors are looking to recruit professionals who are well-versed in coding. Not just programmers or developers, even other tech professionals with programming skills are given first preference. However, cracking the first coding interview is not easy. Aspirants require in-depth knowledge of programming languages with high problem-solving skills. Besides, if the programmer has acquired a tech-related degree, then that is an advantage. With this being said, here are a few other tips for programmers that could help them crack the coding interview in the first attempt.

 

Top Tips for Programmers to Crack Coding Interview

 Master Data Structure and Algorithms

Although coding is the core component of interviews, interviewers never fail to test the data structure and algorithms knowledge of the candidate. They use DSA to text candidates and evaluate their understanding of data structure and algorithms. This brief test helps interviewers score the interviewee on their problem-solving skills, basic computer science knowledge, and clarity of thought. However, mastering data structure and algorithms is not easy. It requires proper guidance and motivation. Therefore, before attending your first coding interview, ensure that you are an expert in data structure and algorithms.

Practice Till it Becomes a Routine

Similar to any other field, practice is what makes a programmer perfect. Even though if you are attending your first coding interview, take some coding tests online and often try to create your own application. Routine practice helps you to identify algorithmic patterns without much effort. Master general coding patterns like Sliding Window, Two Pointers, Fast and Slow Pointers, Merge Intervals, Cyclic Sort, Top K elements, etc to get through basic coding interview tests.

Learn to Quickly Solve Problems

Some of you might be very good at coding but might’ve never calculated the time you take to finish a work. Although good programmers are always in demand, merely being an expert in coding won’t take you anywhere. In a coding interview, programmers are given limited time to solve the issue. Therefore, while you are training for the interview, keep a time limit and try to solve the issue within that timeframe. On the other hand, interviewers expect candidates to answer rapidly for questions related to solving queries. If you prepare to quickly think and solve, then it will surely help you land a good coding job.

Practice on Plain Paper

Even when you think you are a fast coder with good knowledge and skills, IDEs, Google searches, and autocomplete might be deceiving you. Yes, at a plain text editor or a paper, you might find it extremely hard to even write down the basic coding lines as we are the tech spoilt generation. Therefore, always try to create the coding framework in a plain paper. It will help you master the coding lines.

Be All Ears for Small Details

Most of the coding interviews are more than just coding tests. It is a myriad of interactions between interviewer and interviewee. Interviewers generally hide important details as small points in the questioning session. The candidate should have the capability to actively listen and use their intelligence and inquisitiveness to hunt down simple mentions. Similar to cooking, you need to first gather the details including every small one. Repeatedly ask questions and clarify every aspect before starting to solve the problem.

Cracking the first coding interview is not easy. Aspirants require in-depth knowledge of programming languages with high problem-solving skills. Besides, if the programmer has acquired a tech-related degree, then that is an advantage. With this being said, here are a few other tips for programmers that could help them crack the coding interview in the first attempt.