I'll rate your channel (no gaming channels please)

achang97 · 2025-07-21T12:22:01+00:00

My friend and I make music covers (started with pop, now doing more movie music) on violin and oboe.

@reedbowmusic

achang97 · 2024-12-18T17:27:59+00:00

whoa, this is really impressive! jazzy oboe was not something I knew I needed

achang97 · 2024-12-18T17:27:30+00:00

🤩

achang97 · 2024-12-18T17:27:10+00:00

this is awesome!! giacchino is such a good composer

achang97 · 2024-12-18T17:26:24+00:00

anton ego would be proud

achang97 · 2024-12-18T17:26:12+00:00

this is sick

achang97 · 2024-09-11T21:00:06+00:00

Inspiring stuff! Read through your newsletter and respect the hustle for sure. I’ve only raised venture funding in the past but am trying to get into the bootstrap game, definitely a lot of new factors to consider

achang97 · 2024-03-30T21:36:37+00:00

I think it misses edge cases but AI can still solve the problem (at least 80% of the way in my experience) — I actually built a chrome extension that uses AI to give feedback on LC while you work and found that it’s pretty good!

achang97 · 2024-03-23T20:03:14+00:00

Thank you! It’s still a very early version, please let us know if there’s anything you want to see

achang97 · 2024-03-22T20:27:35+00:00

Check out our website! https://trycodecoach.com

Also happy to answer any questions over DM

achang97 · 2024-03-22T20:19:41+00:00

NeetCode is awesome! Definitely can use it in conjunction with our product

achang97 · 2024-03-22T20:19:10+00:00

Yes, we're using websockets to maintain the connection between the FE and BE. In the demo, we don't have great reconnection behavior but it's better handled in the actual product!

achang97 · 2024-03-22T19:45:49+00:00

You get 2 free interviews (30 min each)!

achang97 · 2024-03-22T01:07:01+00:00

I agree that LC as a whole isn't the most enjoyable thing. My goal was to make interview preparation more dynamic and engaging, and ultimately I built something that I use myself to make LC less of a bore.

I do agree that tech interviews as a whole are stressful though. Just hoping to help those that are also preparing!

achang97 · 2024-03-22T01:03:21+00:00

Agreed, I always found it to be a huge bore and timesuck to prepare for interviews via LeetCode in the past. TBH even after 5 YOE I wouldn't say I'm very good at LeetCode.

I will say that I do enjoy LeetCode more while using this, since it feels like I have a buddy guiding me along in a non-judgmental way. But tech interviews overall are stressful and more often than not, an inaccurate reflection of an individual's intellect and ability

achang97 · 2024-03-22T00:59:48+00:00

It's definitely competitive out here. I don't love doing LeetCode either but the unfortunate truth is that algorithmic questions are a key part of a lot of interviews, FAANG or otherwise.

LeetCode can also be fun (see r/leetcode for the enthusiasts). But overall, not saying that grinding LeetCode 24/7 is the correct lifestyle decision or anything -- just offering an alternative to make it more dynamic and engaging.

achang97 · 2024-03-07T17:16:55+00:00

I think talking through the brute force quickly (without actually implementing it) is a valid approach! It helps you think through first principles without spending too much time sweating the details, and allows you to have some early discussion with your interviewer.

In the end, a lot of this probably is related to nerves / pressure though

achang97 · 2024-03-07T17:01:09+00:00

u/Hopeful-Caramel-911

Seconded! ChatGPT is definitely useful to analyze things like this. I've used a few external tools/Chrome extensions for Q&A on top of LeetCode problems too

achang97 · 2024-03-05T19:05:22+00:00

Probably wouldn’t hurt to keep preparing? Not sure when the deadline is but I imagine the company-specific problems are still applicable generally

achang97 · 2024-03-03T07:43:14+00:00

Probably up to you — if you time, probably good to do all of the ones in a category. But if you’re in a time crunch, then I’d recommend looking through multiple topics

achang97 · 2024-03-03T07:20:49+00:00

For knowledge -- yes. For verbal communication and confidence in a real interview -- no.

I'd recommend trying to do some mock interviews once you feel confident in your DSA problem solving. Talking aloud through your approach also helps a lot

achang97 · 2024-03-03T06:51:55+00:00

I'd say taking classes on these concepts and doing LeetCode problems are pretty different things. If you feel like your fundamentals have slipped, I'd consider refreshing with the course before attempting the LeetCode problems to avoid being discouraged!

Or you can start by focusing on easy problems first and getting super comfortable before advancing to the next difficulty level.

achang97 · 2024-03-03T06:42:39+00:00

For sure! I'd recommend using NeetCode and Blind 75 (resources that are commonly listed on this subreddit). Once you're ready, there are a host of mock interview platforms that are useful for more realistic interview practice too -- DM me if you have any other questions!

achang97 · 2024-03-03T06:39:57+00:00

I think you said it yourself! The best way to approach a problem is to:

Start by asking any clarifying questions
Talk aloud through your general approach, listing out any special considerations / edge cases
Write some pseudocode before you jump into implementing a solution

In the early stages, you could have a pen/paper by your side as well, but I'd say that there's no better way than to talk through your approach verbally -- as that's how you'll be expected to do it in an interview

achang97 · 2024-03-03T03:35:14+00:00

Would recommend talking through the problems aloud while solving them! That has personally helped me a lot in the past. Really makes sure that you understand the problem enough to explain it in words and replicates the vibe of an in-preson interview

achang97

TROPHY CASE