If you’re looking for tech jobs in North America, chances are algorithms and data structures will come up in almost every interview. Many international students don’t pay enough attention to this at first. But once they start prepping for internships or full-time roles, they realize interviewers care a lot about their fundamentals and problem-solving skills. Algorithms and data structures are the best way to show you’ve got those.
Most interview questions focus on topics such as arrays, linked lists, hash tables, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, sorting, and searching. At first, these topics might feel a bit confusing or abstract. But once you start practicing, you’ll see how they connect. For example, dynamic programming problems often utilize arrays, while graph problems typically involve recursion or queues. Learning these isn’t just about passing tests — it’s about having the right tools to tackle tricky problems.
Taking courses is a common way to get started. Many students find good English courses on YouTube or Coursera, like MIT’s open classes or UC San Diego’s algorithm series. Some prefer Chinese videos from home, and others try interview prep classes like Drill Insight. Whatever you pick, the key is to thoroughly understand what each data structure does and when to use it, rather than just memorizing information.
But watching videos alone isn’t enough. You’ve got to practice solving problems. LeetCode is the most popular platform for this. It organizes problems by difficulty and topic, and there are tons of lists with frequently asked questions. It’s better to spend an hour or two every day working on problems steadily than trying to do too much at once. And don’t just focus on getting the right answer — think about why it works and if there’s a better way.
Another thing people often forget is communication. Some folks can solve the code but have trouble explaining their thinking in the interview. Doing mock interviews helps a lot. You can practice with classmates or use online services that simulate real interviews.
In short, algorithms and data structures are the first big hurdle in tech interviews. The more you prepare, the better your chances. For international students who want to stay in North America, putting time into this is worth it. Keep practicing step by step, and you’ll be ready when it counts.
Release time:2025-06-16
