After going through several interviews, here's a summary of my preparation strategy.
Algorithm Problems
Don't blindly chase the number of problems solved. Practice by topic: - Arrays/Linked Lists (2 weeks) - Binary Trees/Recursion (2 weeks) - Dynamic Programming (3 weeks) - Greedy/Backtracking (1 week)
For each topic, start by studying templates, then write code yourself. The key isn't AC (Accepted) — it's being able to clearly explain your approach. Interviewers want to see how you analyze a problem, not how you recite code from memory.
Core Knowledge (Eight-Legged Essay)
Rote memorization doesn't work. Use the Feynman Technique: pretend you're teaching the concept to someone else and explain it in your own words. The parts you can't explain clearly are the parts you don't truly understand.
Key areas to focus on: - Java fundamentals: Collections, Concurrency, JVM - Frameworks: Core principles of Spring and MyBatis - Databases: Indexing, Transactions, SQL optimization - Distributed systems: CAP theorem, Consistency, Message queues
Project Review
This is the most important and most easily overlooked part. Your project should be able to answer: 1. What problem did it solve? (Business value) 2. What were you responsible for? (Personal contribution) 3. What technologies did you use? (Rationale behind tech choices) 4. What challenges did you encounter? (How did you solve them?) 5. How would you do it differently if you started over? (Reflective ability)
Mock Interviews
Find classmates to interview each other. You'll discover where you get stuck when you're the one being asked. Practicing in front of a mirror works too — speaking out loud is completely different from just thinking in your head.
Mindset
Interviews are a two-way street. While you're being interviewed, you're also interviewing the company. Ask them about their tech stack, team size, and development process. An interviewer who's unwilling to answer your questions probably isn't worth joining.
Failing an interview is completely normal. Treat every interview as a free technical consultation — at the very least, you'll learn where your gaps are.
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