Topics: Data Structures, Algorithms, Binary Search, Time Complexity, Space Complexity
Location: Mountain View, CA
Interview date: 2025-12-31
Got offer: False
Summary
Round 1: Technical Phone
Question: A variation of LeetCode 362 Hit Counter, focusing on time and space complexity.
Round 2: Technical Phone
Question: Cut a cake such that the areas on both sides of the cut are equal. The solution involves a two-level binary search: first to locate the cake piece, and then to further refine the cut within that piece.
Details
Preparation Tips & Key Takeaways
What I Learned
During my interview, I recognized the importance of clearly communicating my approach to the interviewer, including the time and space complexity implications of each solution.
I realized the need to practice more binary search problems, especially those involving multiple levels of search.
Recommended Preparation
Coding Practice
Practice similar problems involving time and space complexity analysis.
Focus on binary search problems and variations.
Binary Search
Review binary search concepts for real number ranges, including handling edge cases and precision issues.
Understand the implementation details and be prepared to explain the rationale behind the choices.
Resources I Recommend
I recommend focusing on interview problems related to time series analysis and optimizing data structures for specific use cases.
Reviewing core algorithm concepts and data structures is crucial.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
A mistake I made was not initially recognizing the optimal data structure for the Hit Counter variation. I should have considered the constraints more carefully.
Another thing to watch out for is not handling edge cases correctly in the binary search implementation. Proper validation is key.