Embarking on a journey to secure a position at a leading technology company is a difficult task, demanding fierce competition and high standards. Success is only possible through well-preparation, focus, and drive. To gain insights into the secrets of cracking the tech interviews for these distinguished companies, Amit Bansal, Founder of Smart Interviews, shares his expertise.
Amit Bansal emphasises the critical value of maintaining an unwavering focus in one's pursuit of a career, reminding candidates not to give up if they stumble during the interview but to consider it a learning experience. He highlights the significance of dedication and hard work, which distinguishes successful candidates.
Amit Bansal says, “During interviews, candidates are evaluated on their ability to approach and solve problems – a critical attribute as tech jobs often entail frequent bugs and errors in the codebase. Demonstrating strong problem-solving skills is highly valued by employers as it reflects a range of other competencies, such as logical reasoning, creativity, resilience, imagination, lateral thinking, and determination.”
Smart Interviews echoes these thoughts of Amit, with a focus on practical learning that involves real-world problem-solving, which is crucial to prepare students for the industry. At Smart Interviews, the educational mantra is unique compared to other institutions, as it offers a comprehensive approach to teaching problem-solving skills. In addition to the conventional methods of instruction, the institute also employs an innovative methodology that encourages students to think beyond traditional problem-solving techniques. Smart Interviews foster a growth mindset in students by urging them to consider multiple approaches and solutions to solve complex problems.
As a leader in the industry, Amit advises young students, “A career in the IT industry demands the mastery of a wide range of technical skills. The mastery of skills such as programming languages, problem-solving abilities as well as diverse technologies is crucial. Moreover, aspiring IT professionals must possess a solid understanding of essential topics such as Data Structures, Algorithms, System Design and Computer Science fundamentals. Investing in the learning of such technical skills is thus a prerequisite for a successful career in the IT industry.”
Candidates should have an in-depth knowledge of Data Structures and understand when to use a List over an Array, the advantages of Binary Search Trees, the internal workings of Hash Tables, and the wide range of applications of Graph Theory. They should optimise solutions for time and space complexity and have a thorough understanding of DSA concepts like Recursion, Linked Lists, Sorting and Searching Algorithms, Binary Trees, and Dynamic Programming.
Amit Bansal recommends candidates be familiar with Sorting Algorithms such as Merge Sort, Quick Sort and Searching algorithms like Binary Search, as well as well-versed in internal library methods and when to use different algorithms for optimization. Candidates should also understand Computer Science basics like the functioning of the Operating Systems, Database modelling, Object-oriented programming and networking protocols like HTTP, SSH, FTP, TCP, and UDP.
For working professionals with over 2 years of experience in the industry, System Design is another critical area that they must master. Understanding Software Architecture, including Caching, Load Balancing, Data Partitioning, Proxies, Indexes, Redundancy and Replication, SQL vs NoSQL, CAP Theorem and Distributed Systems, is imperative.
He also highlights the significance of communicating their thought process clearly to the interviewer, which enables clear expression, understanding of requirements, coming up with solutions and executing the thought process. Smart Interviews has incorporated these in the teaching methodology of their courses.
Only through a persistent and rigorous approach can one hope to succeed in a highly competitive and ever-changing industry. Candidates should be well-prepared, driven, and confident. Researching the company and the role thoroughly, asking the right questions, arriving on time and presenting true self-work in the resume or during the interview is crucial. With these tips in mind, candidates can ace their interview and land their dream job at a top tech company, fulfilling their aspirations and achieving their potential.