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I am looking to start interviewing. Not because I am dissatisfied with my job, but because I want to explore new opportunities, keep growing in my field, and keep my skills sharp.
So far, I have not had any luck landing an interview. In this current job market, it will take some time, but for now, I am considering returning to Leetcode to advance my skills. To me, Leetcode is a useless measure to assess who will be a good fit. It has nothing to do with the actual day-to-day activities on the job.
However, Leetcode will probably remain a barrier to getting a job, and that is why I am trying to dip my toe back into learning it. And just as I remembered, I suck at it. I can never remember which data structure or algorithm to use. And if I do recall something, it is the wrong choice.
Leetcode drains me. But I know I have to continue if I want to make a great impression in this job market. Here is what I plan to do to succeed:
Simulating interview conditions: I'll set a timer and create a quiet, distraction-free environment to mimic the pressure of a real interview.
Verbalizing my thought process: Even when practicing alone, I'll talk through my approach, explaining my reasoning and identifying potential roadblocks. I will try to explain my process to someone who doesn’t code and see if they can understand my plan.
Focusing on understanding, not speed: While time is a factor, I'll prioritize understanding the underlying concepts and developing a systematic problem-solving approach. Speed will come with practice.
Analyzing my mistakes: I'll carefully review my solutions and identify areas where I struggled. I'll pay attention to the patterns in my errors and focus on improving those specific areas.
Mock interviews: I will seek out mock interviews with peers or mentors to get feedback on my performance under pressure.
These are the methods I plan to use going forward. I know I am not the best at these problems, so I must give myself grace and understanding when I get angry or frustrated at the process. I know Leetcode is a headache, but it is a headache I will have to endure if I want to succeed in this environment.
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