Tips to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills Before a Technical Interview

Preparing for a technical interview can be challenging, especially for engineering roles that demand strong algorithm and problem-solving skills. At Agoda, we seek candidates with a solid foundation in these areas, as they are essential for success on our engineering team. In this article, our hiring manager shares practical tips to help you enhance these skills and build confidence as you prepare for an engineering interview at Agoda.

1. Deepen Your Understanding of Core Concepts

Strengthen your foundation in core data structures and algorithms, focusing on how these fundamentals apply to solving real-world challenges. Go beyond memorizing concepts; understand their practical applications, implications for efficiency, and scalability. Resources like LeetCode, HackerRank, Educative, and Udemy can help you reinforce this knowledge and identify areas for optimization. With a solid grasp of these concepts, you’ll be better equipped to make informed choices on the most effective approaches for a given problem.

2. Use a Familiar Programming Language

When solving programming tasks in interviews, stick to a language you’re proficient in rather than attempting to impress with a new one. Familiarity allows you to write clean, accurate code more efficiently, which we highly value at Agoda. This also lets you focus on the problem itself rather than navigating the nuances of an unfamiliar language.

3. Fully Understand the Task Before Coding

Take the time to understand the problem requirements before diving into code. Misinterpreting the task is a common pitfall, so consider rephrasing the problem in your own words or asking clarifying questions if needed. This approach not only reduces errors but also strengthens your confidence in your solution strategy, helping you deliver a more robust response.

4. Communicate Your Thought Process Clearly

Clear communication is key in technical interviews. Explain your approach and thought process in simple terms, outlining your plan before you start coding. If something is unfamiliar, it’s perfectly okay to admit it and then focus on demonstrating your strengths in problem-solving and pattern recognition. At Agoda, we value candidates who can articulate their approach clearly and adapt based on feedback, showcasing both technical and collaborative skills.

5. Focus on Providing a Functional Solution

Prioritize delivering a functional solution, even if it’s not fully optimized. A functional answer shows your ability to meet the requirements, whereas a non-functional solution could overshadow your efforts. Once you have a working version, proactively discuss any potential optimizations or trade-offs in your approach.

6. Recognize Common Algorithm Patterns

Many technical problems follow recurring patterns, and recognizing these patterns can help you quickly identify efficient solutions. Familiarize yourself with core problem-solving approaches, as they provide a framework for tackling a wide range of questions. Practice identifying and adapting patterns to feel more confident, even with unfamiliar problems.

7. Work on Personal Projects

Applying algorithms in real-world scenarios can deepen your understanding. Consider building personal projects that interest you, such as a small game, a web crawler, or an app that requires efficient data handling. This not only sharpens your skills but also demonstrates to future employers that you’re capable of applying algorithms beyond theoretical exercises.

8. Test Your Solutions Thoroughly

In technical interviews, demonstrating that your solution works is essential. Pass all tests by validating your solution with both expected and edge cases. This will ensure your code is functional and robust. While explanations and comments can be helpful, functionality is your top priority. Test for true and false outputs, and proactively discuss the complexity of your approach, as well as any improvements you would consider if given more time.

Approach Matters More Than Complexity

Vlad Batushkov, an Engineering Manager at Agoda, shares that “Excellent problem-solving skills are essential to an engineer’s success. Can a candidate approach problems effectively? Can they clearly articulate their thoughts? Can they write code that is both efficient and readable? We don’t need highly challenging problems to assess these qualities. Instead, we focus on the candidate’s approach.”

“It can help to put yourself in the shoes of the interviewer. Imagine observing an individual as they write code to solve an algorithmic problem. The interviewer will be on the lookout for:

• Testing skills
• Critical and systematic thinking
• Code efficiency and readability
• Computer science knowledge, including algorithms, data structures, computational complexity.

By focusing on these aspects, you can align your interview preparation with the qualities that matter most to us at Agoda.

Ready to put your skills to work? Explore career opportunities with us at Agoda!