Purpose of LeetCode style interviews
The Purpose of LeetCode Style Interviews: Are They Worth It?
The tech industry is notorious for its rigorous interview processes, particularly the infamous LeetCode (LC) style interviews. For years, candidates have debated the validity and relevance of these interviews, often feeling frustrated by the emphasis on algorithmic puzzles. Despite the ongoing discussions and criticisms, many companies continue to rely heavily on LC rounds. This begs the question: what purpose do these interviews serve?
The Cycle of Interviews
When you enter the interview process, it can often feel like a rollercoaster. You appear for interviews, face rejections, solve a multitude of problems, and eventually find success. In this cycle, you may feel like you’re growing, but at the end of the day, you remain the same person you were before. Your IQ hasn’t magically increased; your emotional intelligence (EQ) hasn’t been enhanced overnight.
You may spend months or even years honing your skills on various algorithms and data structures, yet you might never actually use many of those skills in your day-to-day job. So, what’s the point of all this?
The Value of Learning Algorithms
While it’s true that the exact algorithms you learn may not directly translate to your job, there are several underlying benefits to this process.
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Sharpening Problem-Solving Skills: Engaging with LC problems encourages you to think critically and creatively. You learn to break down complex problems into manageable chunks, a skill that is invaluable in any job.
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Understanding Efficiency: Many of the problems you tackle focus on optimizing solutions. This mindset of efficiency can help you in your work environment, where time and resources are often limited.
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Deepening Knowledge of Data Structures: A solid understanding of data structures is crucial in software development. Even if you don’t use specific algorithms, the foundational knowledge you gain will inform your coding practices.
The Company Perspective
So, why do companies stick with LeetCode-style interviews?
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Standardized Filtering: LC rounds offer a standardized way to filter candidates. They provide a uniform metric that companies can use to assess technical abilities across a large pool of applicants. This efficiency is appealing to HR departments, particularly in tech companies with high volumes of applicants.
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Scalability: LC problems are easily scalable, allowing companies to handle thousands of applicants without requiring a proportional increase in interviewer expertise. This means that even less experienced interviewers can conduct these rounds without needing extensive knowledge of the specific technologies the company uses.
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Industry Standard: The prevalence of LC interviews has created a sort of arms race among tech companies. Many worry that if they don’t adhere to this standard, they might miss out on top talent. As a result, they continue to use these interviews, even when the value of doing so may be questionable.
The Ideal Interview Process?
Is this interview process ideal? It’s hard to say. The reality is that while these interviews may not perfectly assess a candidate’s real-world skills, they have become ingrained in the tech hiring culture.
The best course of action for candidates is to excel at these interviews while simultaneously developing the practical skills that will serve them in their careers. This might mean balancing time spent on LeetCode problems with hands-on projects, collaborative coding, and learning about system design principles like Low-Level Design (LLD) and High-Level Design (HLD).
Conclusion
In conclusion, LeetCode-style interviews have their pros and cons. While they might not be the best measure of a candidate’s potential or ability to contribute to a team, they do offer some value in terms of problem-solving and efficiency. Companies continue to use them as a practical means of filtering candidates, even if the process feels outdated to many.
What are your thoughts on LC interviews? Do you see any positive points that we may have missed? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments!