From Zero Coding Knowledge to Cracking Top Tech Interviews

Introduction

• Presenter: AIS
• Focus of video: Journey from no coding knowledge to cracking interviews at Amazon, Google, and Microsoft
• Includes: Coding journey, interview experiences, resources used, mistakes made

Initial Coding Struggles

• 2013: Started college with no knowledge of computer science or coding
• First Semester: No effort in learning; spent time playing video games
• Second Semester: Introduced to coding via C programming course
  • Struggled with basic concepts like recursive functions and pointers
  • Passed exams, but still knew little about coding
  • Misconception: Thought HTML was a programming language

Self-Learning Python

• Summer Vacation (2nd Semester): Self-taught Python via downloaded tutorials
  • Built simple projects like Pong game
  • Mostly replicated tutorial code
• Developing an interest in coding

Learning Java and Object-Oriented Programming

• Third Semester: Took object-oriented programming course (focused mainly on Java syntax)
  • Learned Java but not fundamental OOP concepts
• No coding challenges solved yet

Data Structures and Algorithms

• Fourth Semester: Took Data Structures and Algorithms course
  • Struggled with concepts like Big O notation
• Resources: Books
  • "Introduction to Algorithms" by Cormen (too math-focused)
  • Recommendation: "Data Structures and Algorithms Made Easy" by Narasimha Karumanchi
    • Included interview-style problems
    • Available in multiple languages (C, Java, Python)

Competitive Programming Phase

• Shifted to C++ for its Standard Template Library (STL)
• Practiced on platforms like SPOJ and Codeforces
  • Became addicted to solving problems
• Participated in weekly contests
• Mistake: Not revisiting unsolved contest problems

Interviews and Internships

• Fifth and Sixth Semesters: Multiple companies visited for internships
  • Cleared online coding rounds but failed interviews due to lack of preparation
• Did not seek off-campus internships
• Platform: LeetCode for interview prep
  • Solved around 180 problems (mostly easy and medium)
  • Mistake: Focused on problem count, not learning from each problem
• Placement Season: Cleared interviews at Morgan Stanley

Preparing for Google Summer of Code (GSoC)

• Prepared during internship at Symantec
• Successfully cracked GSoC with a month of preparation

First Job at Morgan Stanley

• Joined in August 2017
  • Worked for 1.5 years
• 2019: Decided to switch jobs
  • Practiced on LeetCode
  • Interviewed at companies like Flipkart, SGI, and Amazon

Amazon Job and Further Prep

• Successfully cracked Amazon interviews in 2019
• System Design Prep: Used Grokking the System Design Interview course and YouTube channels like Tushar Roy
• Joined Amazon in September 2019
• Planned job switch in 2021, practiced more DSA
• Resources: William Lin’s DSA playlist, etc.
• Joined Adobe after failing Google rounds initially
• Google contacted again in 2022 and cleared interviews

Final Thoughts

• Importance of practice, mock interviews
• Leverage platforms like LeetCode, Codeforces
• Continuous improvement and learning from past mistakes

Social Media

• Actively posts on LinkedIn sharing experiences and tips

Conclusion

• Encourages questions and video topic suggestions
• Wishes good luck to viewers