In North American tech companies, OA is a critical part of the hiring process, and many candidates worry about how fast they should solve the tasks. Based on my personal experiences and those of my friends, I’ll share some insights.
First, let’s consider the risks of solving problems too quickly. Last year, during my interview with Amazon, I encountered an array problem that seemed simple at first. However, there was a key condition hidden in the third paragraph of the description. A friend of mine rushed through the problem and missed that condition, leading to failed test cases. Even more concerning, some companies track how long you spend on each question. If you complete a question too quickly, HR may think you didn’t put enough effort into it.
On the other hand, spending too much time isn’t ideal either. A friend who interviewed with Google spent too long perfecting his solution to the first question, leaving him only 15 minutes for the second. HR later provided feedback that they value giving a workable solution within the time limit, rather than striving for perfection. It’s a difficult balance to strike.
Regarding code quality, I once had a conversation with a Microsoft interviewer who mentioned that they value code readability and maintainability. Some candidates finished two problems in 20 minutes, but their variable names were poorly chosen and there were no necessary comments, so they were rejected. Now, I make sure to spend an additional 5-10 minutes polishing my code.
The biggest issue comes with companies that track your problem-solving process. Uber’s OA system, for example, records every change you make to your code, including the test cases you use for debugging. If you submit your code too quickly, the interviewer may not be able to see your thought process, which could hurt your score.
From my experience, I recommend spending 3-5 minutes carefully reading the problem and identifying key conditions. While solving the problem, slow down a little to reflect your thought process in comments. Finally, always leave time to test edge cases. Remember, companies are hiring future teammates, not just candidates who can solve problems quickly. Showing steadiness and professionalism is crucial.
Release time:2025-04-28
