'Understanding Over Repetition': Amazon Engineer's 'Study Smarter, Not Harder' Tips For Conquering Coding Interviews

Breaking into the tech industry can be daunting, particularly when excelling in technical interviews. Rahmel Bailey, a software engineer at Amazon, offers valuable insights into how candidates can improve their chances of success. Bailey, who also runs the FYJump platform to help early-career professionals secure entry-level roles, shares a step-by-step guide on how to ace technical interviews in the competitive tech industry. Here's everything you need to know to "study smarter, not harder" and conquer your technical interview.

1. Clarify Your Tech Job Goals

Before diving headfirst into technical interview preparation, Bailey emphasises the importance of defining your career objectives and identifying the specific type of tech role you're targeting. Preparing for a coding interview at a smaller company differs significantly from preparing for an interview at a large tech firm like Amazon or Google. Establishing your goals will help you create a targeted preparation plan that aligns with the specific job requirements you're pursuing.

Bailey also advises tailoring your preparation to the type of company. For example, the expectations in coding interviews at banks or small firms may be less rigorous than those at top tech companies. Setting clear goals helps you focus your efforts where they are most needed.

2. Master Fundamental Data Structures and Algorithms

Understanding the basics of data structures and algorithms is crucial for technical interviews. Bailey suggests that anyone aiming for entry-level software engineering roles should master core concepts like arrays, strings, linked lists, hash maps, sets, queues, sorting algorithms, and binary search. According to Business Insider, Bailey recommends using resources like YouTube tutorials or Google's free data structures and algorithms course on Coursera to build a solid foundation.

For those targeting top-tier tech companies such as Amazon or Google, Bailey highlights the need to explore advanced topics like binary search trees and graph algorithms. These concepts are frequently tested in interviews for larger companies and demand a higher level of understanding. Bailey suggests using a mix of courses, textbooks, or YouTube tutorials to acquire proficiency in these advanced areas.

3. Prioritise Understanding Over Repetition

Many aspiring tech professionals turn to Leetcode, an online platform for practising coding problems, to prepare for interviews. While solving numerous Leetcode problems is a common strategy, Bailey believes that focusing solely on repetition without understanding can be counterproductive.

Instead, Bailey advises adopting a more innovative approach. He stresses the importance of deeply understanding each problem rather than mindlessly solving hundreds of questions. According to him, true preparation involves comprehending the core concepts behind each problem. Revisiting problems after solving them, retracing your thought process, and tackling them again the following day are essential to reinforce learning.

Bailey also recommends other resources like Blind 75 and NeetCode for additional practice. These platforms offer curated lists of common technical interview questions, helping candidates focus on high-impact problems.

4. Overcoming Live Interview Challenges

Practising coding problems alone at home differs from tackling them in a live interview. During a live interview, candidates need to solve problems and articulate their thought processes clearly to the interviewer. This ability to communicate effectively under pressure is critical in demonstrating technical competence.

Bailey advises candidates to practise mock interviews to bridge the gap between solo problem-solving and the real interview experience. Conducting mock interviews with a friend or mentor, or even watching mock interviews online, can help candidates prepare for the dynamics of a live interview. This practice ensures candidates can verbalise their thought processes while working through problems in a timed setting.

According to Bailey, even highly skilled engineers can struggle in interviews if they don't communicate their thinking clearly. "Even if you're a brilliant engineer with a deep understanding of each concept, silently coding during an interview won't fully showcase your abilities," Bailey says. Engaging in mock interviews from both interviewee and interviewer perspectives can provide valuable insights and enhance performance.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Technical Interviews

Bailey breaks down the typical structure of a technical interview into clear, actionable steps. These interviews usually last around 45 minutes and involve one to five coding questions. Here's his guide to navigating each stage of the interview:

1. Ask Clarifying Questions: Start by asking the interviewer questions to fully understand the problem's requirements. For example, inquire about data sizes, potential edge cases, or any specific constraints that could impact the solution.
2. Present a Basic Solution First: After clarifying the problem, present a basic solution, even if it isn't the most efficient. This approach helps you ensure that you and the interviewer are on the same page before moving on to a more optimised solution.
3. Articulate Your Thought Process: Clearly explain your thought process throughout the interview. Use pseudocode or describe your approach in plain English to help the interviewer follow your logic.
4. Code and Test: Once you and the interviewer agree on an approach, begin coding. As you write the code, continue to explain each step aloud. After completing the code, test it using example data or by implementing an assertion test to ensure its correctness.
5. Discuss Trade-offs: After presenting your solution, explain any trade-offs, such as time complexity versus space complexity, and discuss potential improvements or limitations.

Bailey also reminds candidates that there is often no single "correct" answer in engineering. It's about weighing the pros and cons of different approaches and selecting the best solution for the given problem.

While technical interviews can be stressful, Bailey emphasises that continuous learning and seeking support from others are the keys to success. Dedicated preparation, whether through mock interviews, studying data structures and algorithms, or practising communication skills, will pay off in the long run. According to Business Insider, Bailey's focus on "studying smarter, not harder" is the key to excelling in technical interviews and securing a career in the competitive tech landscape.