Android Nomad #45 - Developer Interview Loop

Developer Interview Loop:

1. Coding Interview• 60-90 minutes• Focus: Data structures and algorithms
2. System Design Interview• 45-60 minutes• Focus: System design, API/product design, or object-oriented design
3. Behavioral Interview• 45-60 minutes• Focus: Cultural fit

Signals for each round:

1. Coding Interview

   1. Can code

   2. Pseudo code - Can think through a problem (not necessarily solve them)

   3. Can communicate clearly

2. System Design Interview

   1. Methodical

   2. Getting Functional and Non Functional Requirements right!!!

   3. Go deep in critical areas - Decides your leveling

   4. Provide more than one solution and talk through pros and cons (senior level)

3. Behavioral Interview

   1. This is infact a reverse interview round, you get to ask a lot of questions.

   2. You are talking to your future teammates, therefore, I emphasize on asking meaningful questions about work and not generic ones that you can find on the web.

   3. This is the most important round, unless you get a yes in this round, it doesn’t matter how you performed in previous rounds.

Preparation:

1. DSA

   1. Leetcode

   2. Neetcode

2. System Design

3. Behavioral

   1. Cultivate string mental models

   2. Improve speech

Speech

This is the most difficult but of all the above, this is often easiest to master as it only requires practice and developing good muscle memory.

I have created a framework named CDC

1. Confidence
2. Delivery
3. Clarity

I see many native and non-native English speaker struggle with clarity, this often comes from one of the two things, not having deep understanding of a subject or unable to distill thoughts into words. Trust me the latter is much difficult and most struggle with.

Here is an exercise, you can start with and will notice results in just 10 days as you muster DSA and System Design prep.

Every day for 3 mins record yourself on webcam and talk about

1. Your favorite product
2. Explain your CV
3. Explain your vision
4. A value you would share with a child as a basis of a good life

Confidence comes from preparation → Delivery leads to clarity

All the best :)