Ask YC: How to prepare for interviews?
I am a recent graduate. I am looking for a job in C++ or Java. What's the best way to prepare for interviews at Google, Microsoft, Apple etc.
Thanks,
The people side of an interview is often overlooked when advice is being given.
How are your speaking skills? It's important that you don't answer every question with a hundred "ums" and "uhs" mixed in.
People want to work with people who seem confident with what they know. If you do have an umming and ahhing habit, I would suggest recording yourself speaking about a random topic you've picked from a hat (or otherwise randomized) and keep doing it until you can consciously stop your self from doing it.
This is the number one problem I see with new graduates - they may be smart as hell, but they interview terribly.
Some other things that always makes an interviewee stick out in my mind:
- An interviewee who asks questions.
- Someone who takes notes when we talk about problems.
- Someone who can answer the question "why do you want to work here".
Good luck!
It might help you gain insight on how some employers might evaluate candidates, you can assess where you fit in the matrix, and work on improving in the areas of weakness (this is a long term thing).
I recommend reviewing the technical stuff so you can come out sharp and talk intelligently about those topics. Brain teasers often come up. It's been a while since I interviewed with Microsoft, but I remember lots of questions about data structures, linked lists, traversal algorithms, etc.
Employers are looking for people that are technically solid or show potential, have a good attitude, can work in teams, are good communicators, etc.
Good luck.
It's good stuff to know regardless.. :)
.. I wasn't really expecting a question like that so it really threw me off.
See if you can figure it out without a calculator. :)
EDIT: err, 16 exabytes, I'm thinking now