How do you showcase your creativity and problem-solving skills in an interview?

2 Explore multiple solutions

Don't settle for the first solution that comes to your mind, even if it seems obvious or simple. Try to explore different approaches, compare their advantages and disadvantages, and explain why you chose one over another. This will show your creativity and ability to evaluate trade-offs, such as time and space complexity, readability, and scalability. You can also use diagrams, pseudocode, or examples to illustrate your thought process and make it easier for the interviewer to follow.

3 Write clean and concise code

Once you have a clear idea of how to solve the problem, it's time to write the code that implements your solution. Use a consistent and appropriate coding style, follow the naming conventions and best practices of your chosen language, and avoid unnecessary or redundant code. This will show your attention to detail and professionalism, as well as make your code more readable and maintainable. You can also use comments to explain the logic or purpose of your code, but don't overdo it or repeat what the code already says.

4 Test and debug your code

Don't assume that your code works perfectly after you finish writing it. Run some test cases, including the ones provided by the interviewer, the ones you came up with, and the ones that cover the edge cases. Check if your code produces the expected output, handles errors gracefully, and meets the performance requirements. If you find any bugs or errors, don't panic or ignore them. Instead, use a systematic approach to identify and fix them, such as using print statements, breakpoints, or a debugger. This will show your problem-solving skills and your ability to handle unexpected situations.

5 Explain and improve your code

After you have tested and debugged your code, don't just stop there. Explain how your code works, what assumptions you made, and what limitations or trade-offs you faced. This will show your understanding of the problem and the solution, as well as your ability to communicate clearly and confidently. You can also ask for feedback from the interviewer, or suggest possible improvements or extensions to your code, such as adding features, optimizing performance, or refactoring code. This will show your willingness to learn and grow, as well as your passion and curiosity for computer science.

6 Practice and prepare

The best way to showcase your creativity and problem-solving skills in an interview is to practice and prepare beforehand. You can use online platforms, books, or courses that offer coding challenges, mock interviews, or tips and tricks for computer science interviews. You can also practice with a friend, a mentor, or a peer, and ask for constructive feedback and suggestions. This will help you improve your skills, confidence, and mindset, as well as familiarize yourself with the common types, formats, and expectations of computer science interviews.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?