I recently graduated from a three-year Software Development program in Brazil. I can read and understand code well, and when working on projects I usually know what needs to be built. However, I struggle during live coding interviews because I freeze when faced with a blank editor and no examples or documentation.
During college, I often solved exercises after practicing similar problems first. Now I want to become more comfortable breaking down unfamiliar problems and writing a solution from scratch. This has been causing a lot of anxiety, especially since many junior developer positions include live coding. Has anyone dealt with this, and what practice methods helped you improve?
3 Answers
The main solution is deliberate practice. Build a list of common problems and solve them without immediately opening an editor or searching for code. Try writing the approach down by hand first, including the steps and data structures you expect to use. This helps you practice the reasoning process rather than just remembering syntax.
When a problem feels too large, start with anything you know for certain. Identify the inputs, expected output, and one small function or step that must happen in between. You can work forward from the input, backward from the result, or write down the key points on paper and connect them gradually. Breaking the blank page into smaller decisions often makes it much easier to begin.
Work on problems without outside help, but give yourself a reasonable time limit. If you are stuck after about 20 minutes, look up only the specific concept blocking you—such as how to sort a list—not the complete solution. Then close the reference and finish the problem yourself. There is no substitute for repeatedly struggling through the process and learning where your gaps are.
It can also help to explain your plan out loud while practicing. Interviews usually evaluate how you break down the problem, not just whether you produce perfect code immediately.