Mastering the Software Engineering Interview
You’ve hit a major milestone as a computer scientist and are becoming a capable programmer. You now know how to solve problems, write algorithms, and analyze solutions; and you have a wealth of tools (like data structures) at your disposal. You may now be ready for an internship or (possibly) an entry-level software engineering job. But can you land the internship/job? It depends in part on how well you can solve new technical problems and communicate during interviews. How can you get better at this? Practice!
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- Level Professional
- Duration 21 hours
- Course by University of California San Diego
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About
You've hit a major milestone as a computer scientist and are becoming a capable programmer. You now know how to solve problems, write algorithms, and analyze solutions; and you have a wealth of tools (like data structures) at your disposal. You may now be ready for an internship or (possibly) an entry-level software engineering job. But can you land the internship/job? It depends in part on how well you can solve new technical problems and communicate during interviews. How can you get better at this? Practice! With the support of Google's recruiting and engineering teams we've provided tips, examples, and practice opportunities in this course that may help you with a number of tech companies. We'll assist you to organize into teams to practice. Lastly, we'll give you basic job search advice, and tips for succeeding once you're on the job.Modules
About This Course
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4
Videos
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3
Readings
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1
Discussion
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Where do you want to start?
1
Discussions
- Introduction
4
Videos
- Course Introduction
- Course Goals
- Why Soft Skills?
- Google engineers share their stories
3
Readings
- Prerequisites and how to get the most out of this course
- After completing this course, you will be able to...
- By the end of this week, you will be able to...
Applying and Preparing
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5
Videos
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2
Readings
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1
Discussion
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2
Assignment
2
Assignment
- Preparing for the interview
- Resume critique
1
Discussions
- Recommended resources
5
Videos
- The Application Process
- Preparing for the Interview
- Researching the Company
- Effective Resumes
- Resume critique recap
2
Readings
- Interview prep resources
- Congratulations and quiz answers
Preparing for the interview
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4
Videos
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2
Assignment
2
Assignment
- Your experience
- Where do you want to go next?
4
Videos
- People Involved
- What is a technical phone screen or interview?
- What Is an In-Person Interview?
- When I struggled: Overcoming a tough interview experience
Introducing yourself
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2
Videos
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Your recommendations
2
Videos
- The value of your introduction
- Good and bad example introductions
Check your understanding, part 2
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- End of Week Quiz
Check your understanding, part 1: Peer review option
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1
Readings
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1
PeerReview
1
Peer Review
- Introductions
1
Readings
- Screen and video recording tips
Check your understanding, part 1: Self-assessment option
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Introductions (self-assessment)
Welcome/Introduction
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2
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Cold Live Coding Assignment
2
Videos
- Welcome and Introduction to Live Coding
- Cold Live Coding Assignment Walkthrough
1
Readings
- By the end of this week, you will be able to...
Live coding: case study and assessment
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7
Videos
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1
Readings
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2
Assignment
2
Assignment
- Your evaluation criteria
- Self-assessment
7
Videos
- Sample demonstrating key pitfalls
- Talking Through Processes
- Getting Started
- Getting Stuck and Recovering from Mistakes
- Correctness and Testing
- A Very Good Phone Interview
- When I struggled: a first technical phone interview
1
Readings
- Resources for finding problems to practice with
Imposter Syndrome
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3
Videos
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1
Readings
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3
Assignment
3
Assignment
- Imposter syndrome and growth mindset
- Live coding assignment, take 2
- Live coding take 2, self assessment
3
Videos
- Imposter Syndrome and Stereotype Threat
- Growth mindset
- Imposter Syndrome Gallery
1
Readings
- Growth Mindset and Stereotype Threat: Additional Information and Resources
Personal Narrative
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5
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Planning your narrative
5
Videos
- Welcome and Introduction to Personal Narrative
- Sample Pitch, Broadly Technical
- Sample Pitch, Non-Technical
- Sample Pitch, Technical
- Personal Narrative: Key Aspects
1
Readings
- By the end of this week, you will be able to...
Focus on the Problem
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3
Videos
3
Videos
- Making the Problem Compelling
- Common Pitfall: Mixing Problem and Solution
- Common Pitfall: Assuming Too Much
Presenting Your Solution
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4
Videos
4
Videos
- Presenting Your Solution
- Common Pitfall: In the Weeds
- Common Pitfall: Chronology
- Visual Aids
Presentation
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4
Videos
4
Videos
- Eye Contact, Speaking, and Projecting Excitement
- When I struggled: A surprising discovery
- Responding to Your Audience
- Describing a group project
Check Your Understanding: Peer review option
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1
Videos
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1
Discussion
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1
PeerReview
1
Peer Review
- Describe Your Work
1
Discussions
- What project should you talk about?
1
Videos
- Assignment Overview
Check Your Understanding: Self-assessment option
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Describe your work
A strategy for algorithmic problem solving
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8
Videos
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2
Readings
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Your experience
8
Videos
- Welcome to algorithmic problem solving
- Algorithmic problem solving and interviews
- Case study: introduction
- Case study: a first solution
- Case study: working at the whiteboard
- Case study: going deeper
- Case study: next steps
- When I struggled: dealing with nerves
2
Readings
- By the end of this week, you will be able to...
- Study notes
Examples
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5
Videos
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Evaluating the mock interviews
5
Videos
- In the real world: career advice
- Evaluation criteria
- Highlights from a good mock interview
- Pitfalls in a bad mock interview
- What's next?
Check your understanding
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2
Readings
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3
Assignment
3
Assignment
- Solving algorithmic problems on the fly: Part 1
- Record your live problem-solving session
- Solving Algorithmic Problems on the Fly: Part 2 (self-assessment)
2
Readings
- Evaluation questions
- Interview Question Solutions--DON'T PEEK
Congratulations!
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4
Videos
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1
Readings
4
Videos
- End of course message
- Appendix: full-length mock phone interview
- Appendix: full-length mock bad in-person interview
- Appendix: full-length mock good in-person interview
1
Readings
- Additional Resources
Auto Summary
"Mastering the Software Engineering Interview" is an IT & Computer Science course designed for aspiring software engineers. Created with Google's recruiting and engineering teams, the course offers practical tips, examples, and practice opportunities to excel in technical interviews. It includes job search advice and success tips for the workplace. This professional-level course, provided by Coursera, spans 1260 minutes and is available via the Starter subscription. Ideal for those preparing for internships or entry-level positions, this course will enhance your problem-solving and communication skills for interviews.
Mia Minnes
Leo Porter
Christine Alvarado