TL;DR: IDE, unit tests, debugging, HackerRank/LeetCode, organize, positivity
1. Be Comfortable with any IDE -Get comfy with an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) of your choosing -It can be IntelliJ IDEA, PySpark, Eclipse, BlueJ (ok maybe not BlueJ) -It shows initiative, and let’s face it as a developer you’ll be living in an IDE all day -Has lots of features like auto imports and intellisense (suggestions/line completion) 2. Practice Creating a Unit Test -This can be in Junit (for Java) or PyTest (for Python) -Just know how to create a unit test in the IDE of your choice, and practice it -Unit tests are expected of developers -Start easy, how to do a simple assertion -Work your way up to parameterized test, then mocking classes (like I said start with easy) 3. Practice Debugging -Know how to debug a method in your IDE -Set breakpoints -Set watch values -Know how to step into, step over, step out during a debugging session 4. Create accounts on HackerRank and LeetCode -You may be asked to use HackerRank or LeetCode during your test, you want to have a good feel of their UI (User Interfaces) ahead of time -These are also great training resources. -HackerRank is free to use to learn many languages - more advanced that w3schools. Go to: HackerRank ... Prepare ... Java or Python, etc. -LeetCode is free to look at problems and some solutions - the icon next to the solution indicates if it’s unlocked. Go to: LeetCode ... Problems ... Top Interview Questions 5. Organize Your Response/Solution -Start with reading the problem, what are the inputs, outputs, and rules -Add comments, and sketch out some potential methods you could use -Work on the logic, and will fill in the actual code afterwards This shows you have a strategy (algorithm) to solve the problem -Avoid writing code too quickly, since you’ll get mired in syntax, data types, and the IDE, instead work on architecting a possible solution. 6. Stay Positive -Stay positive, good humored, the interviewer is evaluating how you go about solving the problem and your attitude -If the person being interviewed expressed frustration, that will reflect poorly, …would you want to work with a frustrated person or with a person with a more tempered attitude? -The interviewer may offer hints if you’re struggling, be gracious, and accept the help!
