Whether you’re a recent coding bootcamp graduate or have just received a computer science degree, you need to know what to expect in your upcoming programming interviews. Technical interviews are an important part of the hiring process. The whole process is important, but your whiteboard interview is key. Knowing what to expect with whiteboard interview questions helps you get top software engineering job offers from the best tech companies.
Our guide is here to give you the assistance you need. In this article, we show you which kinds of questions you can plan on answering as you make your way through these technical job interviews. Your whiteboard questions will test your coding knowledge. You won’t be able to rely on automation or other shortcuts.
There is a lot of bad information on the internet about whiteboard interviews. Some people claim that you need to be an expert coder to make it through, or that you need to solve each problem perfectly. While each employer has different standards, most of that isn’t true. The whiteboard interview is an interview designed to see how you solve problems in addition to the answer you come up with.
Writing code on a whiteboard is like doing math without a calculator. We help you figure out how to get in the right frame of mind to answer any whiteboard question your interviewers toss your way, so you can land the tech job you’ve always dreamed of.
Remember, the whiteboard interview isn’t designed to test your ability to recite facts, though general knowledge is important. Whiteboard interview questions are an opportunity to demonstrate understanding. It shows your ability to solve common coding problems in real time.
Be Ready for Conceptual Questions
Because web development is a well-paid and respectable job, lots of people apply without enough experience. And while there’s nothing wrong with wanting to achieve a goal, companies want to make sure their employees are qualified to do the work.
Web development jobs require strong problem solving skills. Developers need to fix bugs and create new programs. Doing so requires patience and the ability to think on your feet. Whiteboard interviews are the perfect time to show off your problem solving skills.
Hiring managers ask conceptual questions to choose applicants for the final interview. These basic language and system design questions allow applicants to demonstrate their practical skills. This system helps find the best employees, but also helps under-qualified candidates figure out the topics they need to brush up on.
Be ready to answer questions about keyword meanings and other language-specific concerns. If you’re interested in a Java coding job, for example, you’ll probably get lots of questions about language-specific nuances such as which clause cleans up after “try-catch” statements.
Fortunately, it’s easy to answer these questions if you understand coding languages. All you have to do is be honest on your resumé. If you don’t lie about your abilities, you’ll have no trouble during this part of the process.
Computer Programming Whiteboard Interview Questions
As you might expect, coding questions are common during the whiteboard interview process. The questions you receive will depend on the type of job you’re applying for. Web developers, for example, are likely to have coding questions in languages like JavaScript or Python.
You shouldn’t focus as much on the exact syntax you need to get the job done as much as the overall approach you use to tackle the issue. It’s the method that matters, and having a good technique can demonstrate your understanding of the language, rather than your ability to regurgitate information.
Use the right syntax if you know it. But more than anything else, managers ask coding questions to watch you use your problem-solving skills in real time. Prepare for these kinds of questions by solving unfamiliar coding problems until you’re comfortable handling them on a moment’s notice. It’ll make a huge difference in your chances at being hired, and it could help you develop better programming habits.
Debugging Whiteboard Interview Questions
Debugging is an important part of coding, so you can expect to do some during your interview. During this part of the process, you’ll be asked to find and fix errors in code. This is a great time to demonstrate your skills. Hiring managers want to see how well you can identify issues, and if you keep your cool during a frustrating task. Get ready for a debugging question by practicing on your own. Remember, debugging skills are important because it will be a big part of your job. The better you are, the better you’ll be as an employee.
Prepare Yourself to Do Some Whiteboard Coding
It’s natural for companies to want to see a demonstration of your abilities. When you’re in the interview, don’t be surprised if you get some questions designed to test the depth and scope of your programming skills. Use your free time to do some quick and accurate coding practice to prepare for the interview. So grab a pencil and a piece of paper and get practicing!
Understanding the whiteboard interview is only a small part of the interview process, but it’s vital nonetheless. Your technical resume, cover letter, and portfolio are important too–but they only get you to this point. In short, the whiteboard interview is your chance to make up for any shortcomings in your resume or portfolio. You’ll have a chance to demonstrate your abilities and how your skills will add value to the company.
Coders in today’s business world have to be ready to answer whiteboard interview questions so hiring managers can see their skills. Our guide gives you sample whiteboard interview questions to prepare you for success in your next interview.
Do you have any favorite sample whiteboard interview questions? Let us know your thoughts in our comments section below.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
