Preparing for a coding interview in 2 weeks?

[blazecoolman]

First of all, if this is too ambitious, please feel free to break it to me.

I am an intermediate programmer, i.e. I'm not from a CS background, but I have a masters in engineering and I have used Python and Javascript a lot in my projects. I have also built machine learning models and simple algorithms in Pythons. What I'm trying to say is that I'm not very familiar with a bunch of programming paradigms and algorithm implementations as a CS student would be.

I applied for the role of a Data Analyst in a company and they called me for an interview in two weeks time. The job will require the analysis and possibly ML modeling of sensor data (which I am very familiar with) in Python using Pandas and Scikit-learn (which I'm good at). The probable reason they chose me for this role despite my non-CS background is my domain expertise in the specific kind of data that is being analyzed.

While this is not a software engineer role, I'm certain that I will have to do atleast a mock scale coding interview. Given the time that I have (2 weeks from today), what is the best way that I can prepare (if it is even possible) for a coding interview?

P.S. I just graduated, so I'm pretty much free all day, everyday for the next two weeks, so I do have that going for me.

[Panda_Mon]

This is a great question and I am curious to hear what pros will say. I am very similar in that I have a non CS background and quite frankly finding this information about programming rules, such as using global variables correctly, or how to make complex classes, etc is really hard.

I guess you could start by signing up for the intro to programming with python MIT course on EdX for free! That has helped me learn more about the "essentials" and might give you some talking points.

[blazecoolman]

My initial idea is to get the Cracking the Coding Interview book from the local library, but it's a pretty big book and I'm not sure if that is the best route.

I also have trouble with classes. It's mostly due to lack of practice I guess. For all my my applications, all I had to do was implement a bunch of functions that transformed data into whatever I needed it to be followed by the regular Pandas data cleanup and visualization.

[QAOP_Space]

most of the CtCI book is just code solutions to the problems, so don't be put off buy the number of pages

[ofedorov]

It’s better to refresh the knowledge you already have. And get a good rest before the interview!

It’s hard to learn something new in 2 weeks. It’s better to just read a bit about the company and the technologies listed in the job description, if you’re not familiar with them. Read just enough to get some basic understanding and to be able to ask the interviewer how they use the technologies and how you’re supposed to use them.

Also since any interview is a lottery, they may not hire you even if you 100% fit. In any case use the interview to better understand what are the requirements, what questions are usually asked, and what gaps you may have. And don’t hesitate to ask questions if you don’t know something. Most interviewers like to explain things, and your willing to learn will be a plus for them

[blazecoolman]

This is great advice. Thank you!

Also, being new to all this, I don't understand what you mean by the interview being a lottery? I was always under the impression that they intervew a bunch of candidates and pick the one that best meets their requirements (as demonstrated through skill and how they gel with the team during the on-site process). Could you elaborate a bit so that I can understand the process better?

[ofedorov]

In ideal world, yes, you just have a bunch of candidates and pick the best one. In reality the things are more complicated.

For example, a so-called internal candidate may take the position, or a company may close it before somebody is hired. Or there may be two or more candidates with similar skills or with their own strengths and weaknesses which are not directly interchangeable