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Why Software Engineers Fail Interviews

The document discusses common reasons software engineers fail interviews and provides solutions to improve performance. Key issues include difficulty reading complex code, improper debugging techniques, and lack of preparation for behavioral questions. The author emphasizes the importance of mastering one programming language, simulating interview conditions, and asking clarifying questions to enhance interview success.

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oluwatomisin oyaniyi
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30 views17 pages

Why Software Engineers Fail Interviews

The document discusses common reasons software engineers fail interviews and provides solutions to improve performance. Key issues include difficulty reading complex code, improper debugging techniques, and lack of preparation for behavioral questions. The author emphasizes the importance of mastering one programming language, simulating interview conditions, and asking clarifying questions to enhance interview success.

Uploaded by

oluwatomisin oyaniyi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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POWERED BY:

BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG

The Hard Truth About Why


Software Engineers
Fail Interviews
(and How I Learned to Avoid It)

By SHAILESH SHAKYA @BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG


A few years ago, I bombed a
coding interview.

Not because I didn’t know how to


code but because I didn’t know how
to think like an engineer.

Here’s where I (and so many others)


went wrong:

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
1. I couldn’t read complex code.
Sure, I could write my own code, but
give me a messy, real-world
codebase, and I’d freeze.
Debugging? Forget it. I realized real-
world engineering is about
understanding and fixing other
people’s code more than writing
your own.

Fix: Start reading open-source


projects on GitHub. Pick a repository
in your preferred language, and
spend an hour just tracing through
the code.

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
2. I didn’t know how to debug
properly.
Bugs felt like a personal attack. I’d try
random fixes instead of breaking the
problem down. This cost me precious
time in interviews and my confidence.

Fix: Take a structured approach:


Isolate the issue.
Reproduce it consistently.
Test small changes systematically.
Use tools like print statements or a
debugger, and make debugging
your superpower.

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
3. I tried to learn
EVERYTHING.
Python, JavaScript, Java, C++—I
wanted to master them all. But
when interview time came, I
realized I was mediocre at all of
them and great at none.

Fix: Choose one primary language


(mine was Python). Learn it deeply.
You can always pick up other
languages later.

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
4. I froze under pressure.
Even when I knew the solution,
the pressure to perform during
an interview made my mind go
blank.

Fix: Simulate the interview


environment. Use platforms like
Pramp for mock interviews and
practice under time constraints.

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
5. I ignored edge cases.
My solutions often worked for the
“happy path” but failed when
tested with edge cases.

Fix: Always ask yourself:


What happens if the input is
empty?
What happens if it’s too large?
What happens if it’s invalid?
Write test cases for these
scenarios.

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
6. I underestimated system
design questions.
For senior roles, I hadn’t
prepared for questions about
scaling systems or designing
architectures.

Fix: Study basic system design


principles. Books like Designing
Data-Intensive Applications by
Martin Kleppmann are
goldmines.

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
7. I lacked a clear learning
plan.
I’d jump from one topic to another
without mastering anything,
leaving gaps in my knowledge.

Fix: Create a focused plan. Spend


two weeks on data structures, then
a week on algorithms, and so on.
Resources like CS50’s Introduction
to Computer Science can help.

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
8. I didn’t ask clarifying
questions.
I thought asking questions would
make me seem unprepared, but it
only led me down the wrong
path.

Fix: Always clarify the problem.


Questions like “Can I assume the
input is sorted?” or “Should I
optimize for time or space?” show
you’re thinking critically.

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
9. My coding style was
messy.
Even when my solution
worked, the lack of clean,
readable code left a bad
impression.

Fix: Follow best practices like


proper naming conventions,
indentation, and modular
code. Tools like Prettier can
help.

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
10. I didn’t prepare
behavioral questions.
I focused entirely on coding
and froze when asked about
teamwork or challenges I’d
faced.

Fix: Use the STAR method


(Situation, Task, Action, Result)
to prepare concise, impactful
stories about your past
experiences.

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
What I Wish Someone Told Me
Earlier
Spend more time debugging
than coding.
Master one language before
dabbling in others.
Simulate the interview
environment to build confidence.

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
The Resources That Helped Me
Turn Things Around

1. Programming Foundations with


JavaScript, HTML, and CSS by
Duke University
2. Debugging and Problem-Solving
Techniques by University of
Michigan

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
If you’re struggling with interviews,
you’re not alone.

Take one small step today—debug a


problem, explain your thought
process, or dive deep into your
favorite language.

Which of these struggles resonates


with you? Let’s chat in the comments

👇
(P.S. Share this if you know
someone who needs it!)

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
I hope you have found this information helpful

Join OpenAILearning to get more educational


stuff Similar to this you finished reading⤵️⤵️

Telegram: OpenAILearning
WhatsApp: OpenAILearning

Thank You!
Swipe to
Next Slide

By SHAILESH SHAKYA POWERED BY:


BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG
Created by Shailesh Shakya
@BEGINNERSBLOG.ORG

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