How to Prepare for a Coding Interview in 2025

Ace your 2025 coding interview with these expert tips! Learn key skills, strategies, and tools to stand out and succeed.

15 min readJan 24, 2025

Written by Success Eriamiantoe

Preparing for coding interviews can be fun and very stressful for everyone. The pressure to do well and the fear of the different technical tests you will face can be a lot. It involves solving problems, as well as technical and behavioral assessments.

Especially in fast pacing market of AI jobs!

Hiring managers look at every important detail on your resume to know what you are good at. They want to know your skill sets and if you are a good match for the job. Can you solve complex coding problems on the spot? Can you deal with difficult coding situations when faced with much stress? So, it is important that you go into these interviews prepared, focused, and confident.

In this guide, I will show you all the tips and tricks for preparing for coding interviews in 2025 and beyond. I will also discuss data structures, algorithms, and other important interview topics you will face.

Core skills to master for coding interviews

Coding interview preparation requires you to always practice to develop good coding skills. It will make you feel more confident and improve your programming interview prep.

Familiarity with programming languages

Coding interview preparation requires a good understanding of a programming language. Coding is not just about knowing how to write good code.

It is about knowing the little details of the programming language you learn, e.g., JavaScript or C# . This will allow you to be much better at using the language to fix code errors and write clean code.

Having a good understanding of programming languages involves:

Learning one or more programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and Java.
Learning different popular libraries and frameworks like React, or Javascript to improve your coding skills.
Finding and fixing errors using console.log, Log4j, and Chrome DEvTools.

Understanding algorithms and data structures

Prepping for coding interviews requires a good understanding of data structures and algorithms.

Data structures help to organize and store data, whereas algorithms provide step-by-step instructions for addressing coding difficulties. They help software developers to build complex, scalable applications. Examples of data structures and techniques include arrays, strings, linked lists, and stacks.

Strategies for solving problems

The ability to solve problems is important for success in coding interviews. Success in coding calls for more than just writing a few lines of code. It involves solving issues with a clear and creative mindset.

The following are ways to solve challenges while preparing for interviews:

Divide and conquer: This is an important algorithm design approach. It involves breaking down a big problem into smaller subproblems that are easier to solve one at a time. Once you get the findings for each problem, combine them to solve the overall problem.
Greedy algorithms: Greedy algorithms are all about doing whatever looks best at the time without worrying about whether it is the best option. It aids in the solution of Prim’s algorithm and other coding challenges.
Backtracking: Backtracking allows you to test different possibilities until you find the perfect answer and then go on. It is often used to develop AI algorithms for games such as chess.
Pattern Recognition: Pattern recognition is simply the process of identifying similarities between problems. It allows you to identify patterns and use algorithms to solve issues more quickly.

Understanding system design principles

Understanding system design principles well is important before going for coding interviews. It shows your ability to build fast and easy-to-maintain software systems.

A deep understanding of this principle will set you apart by showing you can do more than just coding. It shows your ability for critical thinking, building complex systems, structuring APIs, etc.

Some examples of the system design principles include scalability, reliability, and security. They make sure your system can handle growth, works well, and stays secure.

Understanding the interview structure

Coding interviews have several stages where they test your technical and personal qualities. Every company has its way of conducting interviews, but they often follow a similar path.

So, understanding the different stages will make your coding interview preparation easier.

Below are some common stages to expect during a coding interview:

Phone screen/initial interview

The phone screen is usually the first step in the interview process. It is the stage at which the interviewer decides whether you are a good fit for the position based on your qualifications.

This step lasts between 15–60 minutes via a video calling program such as Google Meet. It might be simply one person interviewing you or a large panel of interviewers.

The following are some frequent questions you might get asked in a phone interview.

Background: The interviewer will ask questions about your background and professional experience. Some examples of these questions are: Could you tell me about your experience? How did you hear about this position? And more.
Technical: This evaluates your technological talents, problem-solving abilities, and the tools you employ. The interviewer wants to see if your programming tools align with the company’s stack. Some examples of these questions include: What programming languages are you skilled in?
Coding Problems: This assessment evaluates your ability to code and explain technical concepts. To demonstrate your coding talents, you may be required to solve algorithmic challenges such as sorting. As a result, having paper and a pen on hand is essential for taking notes, solving difficulties, and recording crucial information.

Don’t forget to ask the interviewer any questions or concerns you may have once the interview is over. These questions could include, “What are the next steps in the interview process?” Alternatively, “What are the biggest challenges facing the team?” Please feel free to ask any more questions.

If you succeed at this round, you will move on to the technical coding round. An excellent coding interview preparation approach will improve your chances of advancement. Use earphones and find a quiet location with good WiFi before beginning phone interviews.

Technical coding round

During the technical coding phase, the interviewer will assess your coding abilities.It is a hands-on test that will establish whether you have the requisite technical knowledge and problem-solving skills for the job. This stage often takes 30–120 minutes, either by video chat or in person with the interviewer(s).

Technical coding interviews include algorithm and data structure questions. This assessment can come in different ways, like:

A meeting with the interviewer to code live in a coding session.
A project you can work on at home and finish by a specific deadline.
Working together with your interviewer to show teamwork and communication skills through coding.

Doing well in this round requires more than just problem-solving skills. It is all about writing code that the interviewer can easily read and understand.

The following are tips on how to prepare for technical coding interviews:

Always practice both complex and easy coding problems. Use the best coding interview prep sites, such as LeetCode and HackerRank, to prepare. Prepare for coding interviews on these sites early so you can get used to the question formats.
If you are not sure what the interviewer is asking or what they need, ask them to explain it again.
Test your code before submitting it to see if the result is correct.

The tips above will make your interview coding preparation easy. If you succeed at this stage, you will move to the next stage, the system design or behavioral stage.

System design interview

System design interviews usually take place after the initial technical coding round stage. They are important for anyone aiming for senior and mid-level software engineering roles.

It often lasts 45 to 90 minutes to chat with the interviewer on a video call or in person.

In this stage, the interviewer wants to check:

Your ability to design scalable, efficient, and secure software systems.
Your ability to communicate and explain complex software systems.

During system design interviews, the following questions are often asked:

Design a chat application like WhatsApp.
Create a scalable e-commerce website or database.
Develop a caching system like a browser cache (e.g., chrome).

The following are some coding Interview prep tips for system design interviews:

Understand the kind of systems the company you are interviewing with works on.
Practice developing systems on paper, whiteboards, or with visual design tools such as Excalidraw.
Learn to break down big coding challenges into smaller, more manageable jobs.

Examine common design patterns and principles on platforms such as educative.io.

Following these ideas will greatly improve your software developer interview preparation.It will set you apart from the other applicants and improve your chances of getting the job.

Behavioral Interview (usually depends on a company where you apply)

Behavioral interviews center on your previous experiences dealing with real-life problems. It’s not just about demonstrating your technical abilities (which are critical, particularly in coding professions!). It is about showing the interviewer your soft skills and how well you fit into the company culture.

This stage usually lasts 30 to 60 minutes over a video call or in-person meeting with the interviewer(s).

The following is what to expect in a behavioral interview:

Experiences: The interviewer will ask you to share examples from past work experiences. “Tell me about a project you managed from start to finish” is one of these questions.
Open-ended questions: Expect questions requiring more than a yes or no answer. These questions include: “How do you handle feedback or constructive criticism?”
Soft skills: The interviewer will ask questions to see how your soft skills back up your tech skills. These questions include, “Describe a successful collaboration with a cross-functional team.”

Coding interview preparation tips for behavioral interviews:

Before the interview: Prepare well before the interview. Research the company, go over the job details, and think of some ways you can help them reach their goals. Practice answering common questions and brainstorm some good ones to ask. Also, double-check that you have all of the required documents, such as your résumé.
During the interview: Be yourself in the interview. Pay attentively, provide direct responses, and demonstrate your successes and relevant professional experience. Try using the STAR method to help you answer questions. It’s a superb way to organize your thoughts by breaking down the situation, task, action, and result. Maintain eye contact and use pleasant body language when answering the questions.
After the interview: After the interview, evaluate your performance and identify areas for improvement for future interviews. Contact the interviewer again if you have not received a response within the desired time frame. Keep track of your progress and apply for other relevant jobs when you come across them.

How to prepare for coding interviews

Preparing for interviews is necessary for presenting yourself well and displaying your skills. If you put in the effort to study and maintain a positive mindset, you will surely pass the interview!

The following are some techniques to prepare for coding interviews:

Build a strong foundation in coding

A good code foundation is the first step in preparing for coding interviews. Your ability to solve challenging situations will be mainly built on the skills you learn during this stage. They will also help you with common coding problems and during interviews.

The following should be your top priorities while building a strong foundation in coding:

Data Structures: Creating secure software systems requires an understanding of data structures. Many coding interviews want to see if you can choose the best data structure to solve a problem. Knowing which data structures to use will improve and help you pass these interviews.
Algorithms: Understanding algorithms means knowing step-by-step methods to make solving problems easier. In a coding interview, you must select the best algorithm to solve a problem within a time frame. Knowing your algorithms is important to succeeding in these interviews.
Programming Languages: Programming interview prep requires an understanding of a programming language. Developers can build software applications, websites, and systems that solve common issues by using programming languages. The programming languages Java, Python, C++, and JavaScript are widely used. Learn one programming language first, then go on to more related ones.
When studying, make an effort to simplify complex concepts so that a novice can understand them. It aids in understanding and pointing out areas in which you might need to do additional study.

Research the company and role

Learning algorithms and data structures is only one aspect of preparing for coding interviews. Before applying, it’s important to know what the organization does and what the position you want involves. This info will help you tweak your answers and show if you are an ideal cultural fit during the interview.

It is important to understand the values and culture of the company to learn if you are a good fit. Doing this will help you fit your answers with the company’s values during the interview.

This process requires you to:

Visit the company’s website, blog, and social media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter. Check out sections like “About Us,” “Mission,” and “Values” on the company’s website. They often outline its core principles and culture.
Check Indeed or Glassdoor for employee ratings, reviews, and testimonials. Take a look at several films or blogs where workers talk about their experiences. It will give you a great idea of the culture of the business.
Investigate the leadership and history of the company. Visit the “About Us” and “History” sections of the company’s website to learn more.

Finding the company’s relevant projects and technologies is necessary to demonstrate your abilities and experiences. You will gain a better understanding of the needs and expectations of the company through this process.

This procedure requires you to:

Examine the business’s blogs, product documentation, APIs, and GitHub repositories.
Keep up with the company’s latest technological advancements by reading news releases and blogs.
A week or two prior to the interview, begin your study on the business. If you can, spend a few hours each day to check out information and review any materials you have.

Tailoring your resume and online presence

Resumes and online profiles are people’s first impressions of you when looking for a job. They allow you to demonstrate your abilities, accomplishments, and personality to potential employers.

To develop a CV that captures the attention of hiring managers, follow these steps:

Tailor your CV to the key competencies given in the job description. Use keywords from the job description to pass the applicant tracking system (ATS).
Include programming languages, frameworks, and tools that are relevant to the role. For example, if the job requires you to know React, explain your experience and talents with it.
Highlight any projects, credentials, or training you have done.
Mention instances where you worked in a group, led a project, or mentored others.

When addressing previous tasks, present facts or specific examples to show your influence. Instead of focusing on fundamental responsibilities, talk about the exciting initiatives you worked on that helped the company. It demonstrates what you have done and your ability to produce results. Also, when describing your accomplishments, use action verbs like enhanced, decreased, and led.

The following tips will help you get the most out of your online personas, including your GitHub and LinkedIn accounts:

Maintain a consistent, polished look across all internet channels.
Make use of a polished biography, header image, and profile photo.
Use GitHub to contribute to open-source projects. It enables you to showcase your collaborative and coding skills.
Make frequent updates to your profile to showcase your latest work and achievements. Share articles and comment on industry news to participate in discussions on LinkedIn.
Create a README file on GitHub for every project, explaining what it’s all about, how to use it, and the tool you used.
Make sure everything looks the same in how it’s written, like the style, grammar, and spelling. Use a clean layout that is easy to read for your resume. Use keywords related to your line of work to increase your presence in searches.
Use AI technologies to create your resume and online profiles for optimal results. They match keywords, assist in dissecting job descriptions, and do a number of additional tasks. Examples of such AI technologies are chatGPT and Jobscan.

Mock interviews and practice sessions

To prepare for coding interviews, practice sessions and mock interviews are essential. A mock interview is a practice interview that is structured similarly to a genuine job interview. It allows you to rehearse as if you were in an interview, get feedback on your performance, and identify areas for growth.

To get the most out of these practice sessions, consider signing up for or finding

Learning partners: Connect with other applicants who are preparing for coding interviews. To help you prepare, a learning partner can act as an interviewer and ask difficult questions.
Online platforms: Use websites made for candidates preparing for coding interviews. Websites like Pramp, LeetCode, and HackerRank offer mock interviews and coding challenges.
Online communities: Join online communities like the Pieces developer community. They let you ask questions, share ideas, learn, and network with other developers.
Online courses: Find and enroll in the top online courses for coding interviews. Courses on algorithms and data structures are available on websites such as Udemy.

During practice sessions and mock interviews, perform the following:

Be receptive to feedback: Learn to accept criticism and use it to improve your interviewing methods.
Think aloud: Explain your thought process during fake interviews. It provides interviewers a better understanding of your thinking and may make them think positively of you.
Request clarification: If you are confused about a question, ask for further information to clarify it. It demonstrates your ability to identify problems and your willingness to confront them.

Format your response: When responding to questions, use a defined format. Begin by stating how you want to handle the situation. Next, discuss what happened when you put it into action. And finally, double-check and confirm the outcome.

Using the tips above will help you learn how to prepare for programming interviews. It will improve your chances of success, confidence, and skill level.

Handling interview stress and anxiety

Every software developer experiences anxiety and stress during coding interviews. During coding interview prep, your brain might go into overthinking mode. You may even think about algorithms or data structures while doing your daily duties.

Also, you might get a bit nervous and forget some answers you knew, like the back of your hand, during the interview. It is normal to feel anxious before or during a coding interview because it can be a stressful situation. However, with the right strategies, you may overcome your nerves and feel confident throughout the interview.

Being mentally prepared to perform well before or during coding interviews is crucial. The following strategies will help you maintain composure and concentration:

Deep breathing: When you start feeling anxious, take a second to focus on your breathing. Take a breath in for five seconds, hold it for five seconds, and then breathe out for five seconds. Use this strategy throughout the interview and for last-minute coding interview preparation.
Exercise every day: Regular exercise reduces stress. Take a short walk, jog, or workout to relieve stress and release endorphins.
Positive thoughts: Imagine being able to easily answer coding barriers or interview questions. This little tip could help you feel more self-assured and reduce your interview nervousness. When faced with a challenging question, pause and consider your response for a moment. It will enable you to avoid mistakes and conduct a thorough analysis before reacting.
Sleep: The night before the interview, obtain a good night’s sleep to ensure you’re refreshed and prepared. Avoid alcohol, coffee, and prolonged screen time at night, and aim for 7–8 hours of sleep. The next day, when your mind clears up, prepare for your last-minute coding interview. Getting a good night’s sleep is more vital than trying to memorize algorithms all night!

Continuous learning and improvement

Anyone preparing for a code interview should constantly be learning and improving. It includes always learning to improve your skills and staying current with emerging tech trends. The learning process doesn’t stop after the interview, no matter the outcome.

Continuous learning and improvement involve staying current with new industry trends and technologies. You accomplish this through:

Participating in online communities, such as the Pieces developer community.
Listening to podcasts and reading technical newsletters or blogs.
Participating in technical meetings, conferences, or webinars.

Staying current will allow you to acquire new techniques and improve your technical talents. At this time, you begin to look for ways to improve your performance. You accomplish this through:

Attending online classes and courses (such as those provided by Coursera and Udemy).
Participating in coding contests (such as HackerRank and LeetCode).
Participating in mentorship programs or seeking a coding partner.
Contributing to open-source projects and creating small projects using new technologies.

Access to tools and resources is only the start of continual learning. True transformation occurs when you combine these talents with the right mentality. It entails working regularly and being willing to learn from mistakes.

Conclusion

Preparing for coding interviews involves careful planning, regular practice, and commitment. It is a crucial step to begin or step up your tech career, but it can be difficult for many developers. Following the tips covered in this article will improve your chances of getting a good job.

Remember, the best approach to preparing for coding interviews is not to take the easy route. It’s about developing long-term skills that will help you become a better software engineer. So, prepare for your coding interview by making a continuous effort to develop your technical skills.

Avoid attempting to memorize concepts in a short period of time! Read to comprehend, and begin preparing early.

Resources

The following are the best resources to prepare for coding interviews: