New Delhi. A post by Google software engineer Sahil Gaba on LinkedIn has gone viral, in which he shared his approach to get success in coding interview. Sahil, who has been working at Google for four years, explained in his post that the most important resource for getting success in coding interview is not a book, tutorial or online course, but the interviewer himself. He said, “The most valuable resource for getting success in any coding interview: the interviewer. Most candidates see interviewers as judges, waiting to fail them. But what is the truth? They are actually your best resource during the interview.”
Ask questions for clarity and help show direction
Sahil further said that candidates should ask clarifying questions to the interviewers at the very beginning, as interviewers often give subtle hints in their answers, which can guide in the right direction. He suggested that candidates should express their viewpoints vocally, so that the interviewer can encourage them in the right direction.
Sahil also shared a personal experience of his Amazon interview, in which he faced a challenging programming problem. Instead of panicking, he outlined two possible solutions and selected the right one by understanding the subtle cues of the interviewer. He said, “Always remember that interviewers are humans too. They want to have fun conversations rather than just evaluate your technical skills. But most people get so nervous in interviews that they forget to have fun. Be memorable and have fun! The best code you will write in an interview will not be the one you prepare. It will be the one you create together with your interviewer.”
Google’s response and appreciation on social media
Google responded to Sahil’s viral post and said, “Thank you for sharing great tips, Sahil.” Following this, Sahil’s post received widespread appreciation on social media. Users praised her valuable insights and practical advice. One user wrote, “Thank you for sharing interview tips. I am currently attending the coding round but am struggling to explain my approach and feel stressed. Now, I have a clearer picture.” Another commented, “Interacting with the interviewer can turn the session into a problem-solving collaboration rather than just an evaluation.”
Importance of two-way interaction
A third user said, “Great insight! Candidates often overlook that interviews are not just an evaluation but a two-way conversation. Leveraging the interviewer’s prompts and feedback can make a huge difference!” While a fourth user said, “This is a great reminder of the importance of using the interviewer as a valuable resource during coding interviews! Your insights about asking clarifying questions, thinking out loud, and inviting collaboration are spot on.” Sahil Gaba’s advice has shed a new light on changing the way we approach coding interviews. He believes that interviewers are not mere judges, but rather they play a supportive role that can contribute significantly to a candidate’s success. These simple yet effective tips given by him have inspired many who will now act more confidently during their interviews.
