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Comment by winter_blue | Hacker News Reader

You need to invest time in Leetcode.

I made it into final round interviews with both Google and Facebook (in California), without much prep, and didn't get an offer from either.

Google asked me all algorithm problems (I told them I didn't have much system design experience), whereas Facebook did a mix of algorithms, system design, and soft/personal skills.

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I think you misunderstood what I meant - I smashed the problems as in... I destroyed them. Optimal solution out of the gate. Optimal solutions on the board only slowed down by my ability to write.

It wasn't even memorization - I just practiced so much. I've done over 500 problems and over 200 technical interviews. I don't really "fail" them in the traditional sense these days.

Maybe I have a really punchable face - who knows.

In my experience interviewers are looking for a detailed thought process with a comparison of solutions that demonstrates your communication, not just an optimal solution. Do you provide that as well?

Yep. I always break down the solutions I purpose and ask them if they want me to code it up. I walk them through the solution. I give them trade offs between different solutions (if there is an alternative that has the same time/space complexity). Everything... :/

EDIT: But - really - I'm not looking for feedback or critiques in this format. I've done this endlessly with people online. Instead - it would be useful to me to recommend services or experiences with mock interview services. I'm having a hard time believing anyone can give me real insight here that I haven't corrected myself. (But that insight could exist through mock interviews)

have you heard of interviewing.io?

You're probably interviewing with all the people who have chimed in that you can't possibly be that good.

My gf is a management consultant, and prepped a lot for her interviews. She learned that there is such a thing as prepping too much, as your performance can come across too stilted/canned/robotic.

Have you ever filmed your performance in a practice session?

I've given tons of mock interviews, so if you want a fresh set of eyes let me know.

It sounds like you're threatening your interviewers' egos.

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