How to Prepare for Coding Interviews

Coding interviews are different from other job interviews. They require you to talk about yourself and your goals, but also show you’re capable of doing the job through coding challenges and live technical interviews. This takes preparation. Get started here!

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Coding Interview Tips

While every company has its own unique hiring processes and requirements, being generally prepared for the interview process is key to helping ease your nerves, quiet your imposter syndrome, and provide the confidence boost you need to do well.

You can prepare for a coding interview by focusing on: 

The Technical Side 

Depending on the company and the role you’re interviewing for, you will most likely be evaluated on the following:

  1. Communication Skills
    How well you can ask questions, discuss your goals and projects, and talk about your coding capabilities.
  2. Problem-Solving Abilities
    How well you can demonstrate your ability to solve problems in productive and/or creative ways.
  3. Technical Competency
    How well you can demonstrate and showcase your coding skills, often through a coding challenge.

The Importance of Mindset

A successful coding career is not solely about technical skills. You also need to demonstrate a positive, resilient mindset.

During your interview, try to find ways to discuss: 

  • Your interest and enthusiasm for the role.
  • Your curiosity and ability to ask good questions.
  • Your willingness to work in a team environment.
  • Your grit and experience in working through challenges.

Common Coding Interview Questions

You can expect to be asked questions about your professional and educational experiences, as well as your technical skills and abilities.

Questions might include:

  • What programming languages have you used?
  • Have you worked on any projects or teams that required you to learn a new language or tool? How did you approach that?
  • How do you keep up with advancements in coding and technology?
  • Can you share a time when you had to break down a complex topic or project for someone less technical than you?
  • How do you start a new project? What are your first steps?

What to Expect from Career Services in a Coding Bootcamp

Working with career services professionals will help you prepare the interview, the job, and ultimately, your new career. 

At Hack Reactor, the Career Services team provides: 

  • Workshops and lectures
  • Assignments that help you set and meet goals
  • Resume building
  • Networking
  • Salary negotiation strategy
  • Interview preparation

The Value of Mock Interviewing

Whether with a career coach in a coding bootcamp, with a friend or classmate, or using a platform like interviewing.io, mock interviewing is a valuable way to prepare for what you’ll run into during a real-time coding interview.

After you’ve landed the job, you can expect to:

Put your new coding skills to work! Plus, you’ll:

Be part of a forward-thinking team of tech professionals who are working together to reach goals. 

Cultivate a continuous learning mindset. As technology evolves, new tools and approaches are always emerging.

 Embrace it and continue learning, changing, and growing according to the role’s needs.

Enjoy a role that requires your creativity, passion, and unique perspective. 

Read through some Hack Reactor alumni stories to understand what it’s like to work your first tech job.

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