3-week prep cadence
Pattern library first, timed problems second, mocks third.
- Week 1 — patterns (sliding window, two pointers, graph, DP, intervals)
- Week 2 — timed Easy/Medium, 2 hours/day
- Week 3 — daily mock interview with feedback
System design fundamentals
Master a single template — every interviewer maps to it.
- Requirements → API → data model → scale levers → tradeoffs
- Know 3 reference designs cold (URL shortener, news feed, rate limiter)
Behavioral mixed into tech rounds
Most loops include 1 behavioral question even in tech rounds. Prepare 8 STAR stories.
- Ambiguity, conflict, failure, leadership, scope
- 1 story can serve 3 questions if structured right