I am a software engineer from India with 3+ YOE looking for a change working on python and cloud but mostly on Cloud. I deliver my tasks by searching and understanding across docs, GitHub or stack overflow or Googling it. I write scripts or code for my work in way so that the required functionality is achieved basically "if it works it works" . I am definitely sure my code and design are not optimal. As far as my work is considered I understand my deliverables and tasks given to me in terms of code,design, functionality very easily and deliver it timely without any hassle. But when trying to switch my job I see hell like coding data structure questions and algorithms that I can hardly understand. I tried learning the algorithms and data structures via geeks for geeks,GitHub open source repos and other sources for more than 8 months but seems like are pretty complicated and wasn't able to understand at all. and each code challenge is unique and is talking a lot of time in test and finally ending up with failed test cases.i was unable to crack the path to answer and after seeing the solution I be like "oh damn". IMO and from my experience i see the complex coding questions that are asked in tests or initial rounds will not be useful in any part of the work. most of the complex coding work was already done by forefathers(I mean majority of the code that includes complex data structures and algorithms) in the form of libraries and most of us are using them itself. hence no need of complex thinking and stress on brain BTW I can solve simple problems like linear search , binary search ,sorting. but in the tests the questions will be like find least path with some random n*n matrix or 2**n some exponential related problems to be solved with least complexity something log(n). These questions keep hogging the time of test Considering all the above is it possible to achieve my target of switching my job. BTW many of my colleagues I guess can't solve these(becuase I have worked and know them) are somehow getting shortlisted and switching on and I am struggling hard to get any interview calls. Apologies 🙏 if my question is wierd and feels like shit CTC: 11LPA YOE:3+ #engineering #software #swe #ctc #faang #jobhunt #career #referral
You need to practice, practice, and practice! I think you should first focus on one algorithm and start out using pencil and paper to draw out what happens for that algorithm. Once you understand the algorithm on paper. then write code to implement it. A good one to start with is binary search on a sorted array of integers.
Understand basics of Algo and DS, learn how systems are built.
Dude you have such good writing. Add a space after comma and dot, and you will be perfect.
The fact that you are a capable developer without knowing how to leetcode shows how broken the industry hiring state is.
I used to be in a similar situation. I felt like I was a good engineer but terrible at leetcode style interviews (not that big a deal as lots of smaller companies don’t do this type of interview). Then I thought I have studied this and done it professionally for years, how can I be so weak with something so important in the industry. So I decided to turn that weakness into a strength, then I did the work. It took a while, but now I have much better options. tldr: keep going. You set a goal - to be good at this, now just don’t give up. Maybe find a study partner.
Study data structures and algorithms and understand the importance of time & space complexity. Try to implement linked lists, trees, graphs, trie, bloom filters , etc.. Everything is software can be decomposed to data structures and algorithms. This is not sufficient but necessary for you to get started.
Thanks 🙇🙇🙇for all your comments and advices thought i would be grilled for as this is my first post on blind . can you please give me leads to climb the leet code mountain and python as i am below average guy in both python and leet code.
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Simple : nothing is brand new in terms of DS Algo and coding. It’s all existing patterns wrapped around in subtly different ways. The more you leetcode, the more you get your way through it. The more you practice, the more problems you can solve on your own. Been there, done that myself.