Using HackerRank to Prepare for Software Engineering Technical Interviews

Introduction

HackerRank has become an invaluable tool for tech enthusiasts and software engineers alike. This platform allows its users to practice coding problems that are frequently asked in technical interviews, thereby providing a solid foundation for anyone preparing for such challenges. The following is a guide on how to use HackerRank to prepare for software engineering technical interviews.

What is HackerRank?

HackerRank is a technology hiring platform that is the standard for assessing developer skills for over 2,000+ companies around the world. It provides coding challenges and competitions in various domains such as Algorithms, Mathematics, SQL, Functional Programming, AI, and more. The platform caters to multiple languages including Java, C++, Python, Ruby, and more.

Why Use HackerRank?

HackerRank's practice problems offer a diverse range of difficulty levels and are often similar to real interview questions. They enable you to learn and understand different problem-solving approaches and algorithms, thereby sharpening your coding skills and algorithmic thinking. Solving these problems can give you the confidence to tackle technical interviews head-on.

How to Use HackerRank?

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use HackerRank:

• Create an account: If you're new to HackerRank, the first step is to create an account. Registering is free and gives you access to a plethora of coding problems.

• Choose your domain: HackerRank has a multitude of domains to choose from. If you're preparing for a software engineering technical interview, focus on 'Algorithms', 'Data Structures', 'Artificial Intelligence', and 'Mathematics'.

• Choose your language: Before you start coding, you have the option to select the language in which you want to code. You can pick a language that you are most comfortable with.

• Start solving problems: Each problem comes with a problem statement explaining the task you need to complete. Read the problem statement carefully. Some problems also offer hints and discussion boards where you can seek help if you're stuck.

• Submit your solution: Once you've written your code, you can run it against test cases to ensure it works as expected. If you're satisfied with the results, click on the 'Submit' button.

• Learn from others: After solving a problem, you can look at other users' solutions. This is a great way to learn different ways to solve a problem, and possibly more efficient ones.

Best Practices for Using HackerRank

Here are some tips to get the most out of HackerRank:

• Start with easy problems: If you're new to coding or HackerRank, it's best to start with easy problems and gradually move up to more difficult ones.

• Consistency is key: Just like learning a new language, consistency is key in coding. Try to solve at least one problem a day.

• Understand the problem thoroughly: Before you start coding, make sure you completely understand the problem. Use the provided examples to understand what's expected from your solution.

• Don't be afraid to struggle: Struggling with a problem is part of the learning process. It's okay to spend hours or even days on a difficult problem. You're learning each time you attempt a solution.

• Learn from your mistakes: After each problem, reflect on your mistakes. Try to understand what you did wrong and how you can improve.

• Utilize discussions: HackerRank has a 'Discussions' section where users discuss problems and their solutions. Utilize this to your advantage when you're stuck or when you want to understand different approaches to a problem.

• Time your attempts: In an interview, you'll have limited time to solve problems. Practice coding under time constraints to simulate the interview environment.

• Participate in contests: HackerRank regularly hosts coding contests. Participating in these will not only help improve your skills but also get you accustomed to a competitive environment.

Below is a more complex example of a HackerRank problem solution:

# Problem: Given an array, find the sum of its elements.

# Language: Python

def simpleArraySum(arr):

return sum(arr)

# Testing the function

print(simpleArraySum([1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11])) # Output: 31

Going Beyond HackerRank

While HackerRank is an excellent resource for practice, it's essential to diversify your learning and practice on other platforms as well. Websites like LeetCode, CodeSignal, and CodeChef also offer great problems and could potentially expose you to different types of questions.

In addition to practicing coding problems, brush up on your theoretical knowledge. Having a solid understanding of Data Structures and Algorithms, Operating Systems, Networking, and System Design is vital for software engineering interviews. Consider investing time in MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) like Coursera and edX that offer comprehensive courses on these subjects.

Conclusion

Preparing for software engineering technical interviews can be daunting, but platforms like HackerRank make it easier and more systematic. With regular practice and the right approach, you can significantly improve your coding skills and ace your interviews.

Remember, it's not just about getting the correct solution; it's also about how efficiently you can solve the problem. Understanding the problem, choosing the right data structures, using suitable algorithms, and writing clean, readable code are all equally important.

HackerRank is not a magic pill that will instantly land you your dream job. It's a tool that, when used correctly, can aid in honing your skills and boosting your confidence. So get coding, and good luck with your interviews!

1. HackerRank
2. LeetCode
3. GeeksforGeeks

Originally Posted on Medium