I recently had an interview that was supposed to focus on discussing my take-home project, where I looked over my work and noted down some tradeoffs and improvements. But then, during the call, they unexpectedly asked me to implement some changes on the spot while sharing my screen. I froze and struggled to articulate my thoughts clearly when they asked questions about adding rate limiting, optimizing pagination, and structuring error handling. It feels like these live coding sessions are becoming the norm, especially with the rise of AI tools, and I really want to improve my ability to discuss my code in real time. Currently, I'm practicing by recording myself making updates to an old project while explaining my process but I'm looking for more tips on making my thought flow smoother.
4 Answers
From my experience teaching students, it's vital to have a structured approach. Write out your plan before coding, and use it as a guide for your explanations. It’s tough to speak and work simultaneously, so having a reference can help. Of course, practice vocalizing your thoughts is key too!
I find that watching coding streams or tutorials helps. I usually mimic the way they explain their work while coding. I might have to watch a short video beforehand for inspiration, but it definitely helps me to chat away while I code, even if no one's around! Just be aware that your mood can affect how well you do it, especially in an interview setting.
Wow I’ll try. Thank you!
Talking while coding can feel impossible, right? A trick that might help is rubber duck debugging. Just talk out loud to an inanimate object while you code. It’s like rehearsal for a speech, which can make explaining your thought process feel more natural over time!
Cool! I’ll try to talk to my teddy bear. Thanks!
Honestly, I’m not a fan of the live coding surprise during interviews. I think it's a bit disrespectful to expect someone to perform on the spot like that. It can really disrupt the flow of the interview and isn’t the best way to assess a candidate.
I agree…
Thank you! So helpful!