Time management strategies for coding interview

Ever spent hours on a coding problem, only to realize you’ve barely scratched the surface of your study plan? Time management can make or break your coding interview prep. With the wide range of topics to cover, it’s easy to get stuck on a single question. But mastering the art of time allocation across different areas can be the key to transforming a good interview performance into an outstanding one.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the complex process of coding interview preparation. We’ll give a quick overview of the different interview formats and how to prepare them. After that, we’ll discuss how to set accurate and achievable goals and match your preparation to your desired career path within a calculated time duration.

We have also included helpful material and courses throughout this blog that can further assist you in preparing for your coding interviews.

Different types of interviews#

In major IT companies, multiple rounds of coding interviews are conducted, each evaluating a distinct skill level. The following is a summary of the different types of interviews that a candidate at an IT company may experience:

1. Telephonic interview:

   1. Duration: 15–30 minutes

   2. This initial round with HR often assesses basic technical skills and experiences, setting the stage for more detailed evaluations. The HR shortlists candidates who may fit the desired position and passes on their evaluations for the next round.

2. Technical coding interview:

   1. Duration: 45–90 minutes

   2. This is usually the second interview stage, where you must solve coding problems in real time, demonstrating your proficiency with algorithms and problem-solving skills.

3. Pair programming interview:

   1. Duration: 60–90 minutes

   2. In this interactive session, an interviewer tests your ability to collaborate and code in real time with a potential colleague or another interviewer. You’ll probably use an online coding platform to write code alongside your partner.

4. Technical knowledge or quiz interview:

   1. Duration: 30–60 minutes

   2. A quiz or series of questions targeted at evaluating specific knowledge related to programming languages, tools, and technologies.

41. System design interview:

    1. Duration: 60–120 minutes

    2. The system design interview stage focuses on your ability to design scalable and efficient systems, discussing architectural decisions and scalability challenges.

6. Case study interview:

   1. Duration: 60–90 minutes

   2. Involves solving a hypothetical business problem or project, testing analytical skills, and the ability to apply technical knowledge practically.

7. Behavioral interview:

   1. Duration: 30–60 minutes

   2. Behavioral interviews evaluates a candidate’s soft skills and how they’ve handled professional situations, focusing on teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution.

8. Cultural fit interview:

   1. Duration: 30–60 minutes

   2. This less formal interview assesses whether a candidate’s values and work style align with the company’s culture.

9. Take-home assignment:

   1. Duration: 3–7 days to complete

   2. A practical assignment that candidates complete on their own time, reflecting typical tasks they would handle on the job, used to evaluate their independent problem-solving and execution skills.

At this point, you might think you must be prepared for each interview. But this is usually not the case. Each company has its hiring style, so the number of interviews varies from company to company. You should be carefully looking at and researching about your company first. In the first round of interviews, the Human Resources (HR) department commonly reveals the structure of the interviews you’ll attend.

Now that you understand the interview formats, let’s discuss how to set goals tailored to these scenarios.

Setting clear goals#

Start by setting focused and realistic goals. A dedicated preparation period of up to three months is recommended, as technical interviews cover complex topics requiring thorough study and practice. However, this timeline may shorten if you have recent interview experience or strong familiarity with key concepts.

Following a structured study plan and setting clear goals helps you stay accountable, build confidence, and ensure you’re ready for the interview.

Identifying short-term and long-term goals#

Short-term goals could be daily or weekly objectives, such as solving several coding problems or mastering a specific data structure.

Long-term goals for a coding interview can include objectives like completing a full-fledged online course or achieving a target score on mock tests. These objectives serve as milestones to keep your preparation on track and motivate you to progress.

Creating a study schedule#

Before appearing for an interview, a candidate must follow a specific study plan. A thoroughly planned schedule can make a huge difference. Here’s a quick summary of what should be kept in mind while preparing a study schedule:

Understand the role#

Before you start preparing, you must understand the specific job title and description of the role you’re applying for. Most candidates don’t do this, so when they appear for the interviews, they are completely blank or confused when interviewers ask questions that do not fit their skill set. Understanding the job title and description correctly guides you according to your study plan, ensuring you focus on relevant skills and topics only.

Domain-specific focus#

After thoroughly going through the job description and the required experience details, your next step should be about focusing on a specific target domain of your choice. This target domain is the one you’re most interested in. The domain that you’ve chosen greatly influences your learning goals.

Breaking down topics and allocating time#

So far, you might have brainstormed how to break down your domain topics and effectively prepare for your next job role. This means, now you know what to study and how much time to dedicate to each area. To score an ace in your next interview, you must structure a plan that balances covering the basics and tackling more advanced problems.

Plan your weeks and months#

Planning your tasks into weekly or monthly schedules greatly helps cover all the necessary areas without feeling overwhelmed. For example, dedicate your first week to revising your concepts on data structures and the second week to practicing a few coding problems on LeetCode, HackerRank, etc., and so on. A monthly plan might focus on high-level and long-term goals, such as completing algorithm challenges, finishing a specific online course, or taking up a few practice mock interviews.

Use of tools#

It would be best to try using tools like Google Calendar or Clockify to keep your study plan organized and on track and to jot down how long it takes to complete a single step in interview preparation. Google Calendar can help you set specific study times and reminders, and Trello can be used to create boards for each topic, with cards detailing specific tasks and resources. You can use a simple white board to track your learnings so far. These tips and tools help track your progress and ensure you stay committed to your study plan.

Example schedule for an engineering manager interview#

Have a look at the following sample study schedule for the role of an engineering manager.

Prioritizing topics#

Focusing on what matters most is crucial to efficient preparation.

Essential topics#

Identify the key areas most frequently tested in interviews for the roles you’re interested in. Software engineering positions typically include algorithms, data structures, and system design. Create a list of essential topics and prioritize them in your study plan. Resources like the “Top Interview Questions” sections on LeetCode or HackerRank can provide insights into commonly tested areas.

Strengths and weaknesses#

Allocate more time to areas where you are weaker while also maintaining your strengths. For example, if you struggle with dynamic programming, dedicate extra weekly hours to practice problems in that area. If you’re strong in tree structures, schedule regular, shorter practice sessions to keep those skills sharp.

Effective study techniques#

Studying smart is just as important as studying hard. Here are some techniques that can enhance your preparation.

Active recall#

Memory retention techniques involve actively trying to recall information and spacing out your study sessions to reinforce learning. Tools like Anki or Quizlet can help implement these techniques, especially for memorizing algorithms and their implementations.

Theoretical knowledge#

Dedicate time to understand the concepts behind various software systems. This might involve studying algorithms, data structures, and their complexities, as well as understanding the principles of system design and architecture.

Hands-on practice#

Regular practice on coding platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, and CodeSignal is crucial. Try to simulate real interview conditions by timing your problem-solving sessions. This practice builds problem-solving skills and helps you manage time pressure during interviews.

Quiz#

Let’s take an example here. A candidate is preparing for a job as a ReactJS full stack developer. To secure the position, the candidate organizes study time to concentrate on mastering React and Python, integrating them into full stack projects, and learning about deployment processes.

Leveraging resources adeptly#

Choosing the right study materials can make a significant difference in your preparation.

Select quality resources: Consider using Educative’s coding interview patterns course series to guide you through this process.

Engage with the community: Participate in study groups and forums like Reddit’s r/leetcode or Stack Overflow. Engaging with a community of learners can provide support, motivation, and diverse perspectives that enhance your learning experience.

Tracking progress and adjusting plans#

Monitoring your progress and being flexible with your study plan is key to effective preparation.

Track your learning: Use tools like Excel, Google Sheets, or dedicated apps to track what you’ve learned, identify areas for improvement, and monitor your retention of learned concepts over time.

Well, maintaining data on Excel or Google Sheets can be tiring sometimes isn’t it? How about we create a mini-task scheduler of our own? This will help you in two things:

• You’ll have a small demo project for your portfolio.

• You’ll get to practice your web development skills in React.

Be flexible: Adjust your study plan based on your progress and any new areas of difficulty. If you find certain topics more challenging than anticipated, be willing to devote more time to them.

Conclusion#

By setting realistic goals, scheduling study time effectively, and utilizing tools like Google Calendar or Trello, you can transform your coding interview prep into a streamlined, efficient process. Remember, it's not about the amount of time spent but how strategically you use it. Ready to take your preparation to the next level?