In the North American tech job market, algorithm interviews are nearly unavoidable. Whether you're applying for software engineering, data engineering, or systems development roles, grinding LeetCode problems has basically become a standard routine for job seekers. Especially early on in the prep process, knowing how to approach LeetCode efficiently and organize your learning systematically is often overlooked, but absolutely essential.
LeetCode categorizes problems into Easy, Medium, and Hard. If you're just starting out, it's a good idea to begin with the easy ones to get used to basic patterns like arrays, linked lists, hash tables, stacks, and queues. These might look simple, but they’re the foundation of most high-frequency interview questions. At the beginning, don’t rush to solve problems quickly—focus on understanding the logic and how to implement it in code. For example, with an array question, it’s not enough to just get the correct answer—you should also ask why your approach works, whether there's a better solution, and what the time and space complexity are. Once you’re comfortable with these, you can move on to medium-level problems.
Grinding problems isn’t about blindly solving as many as you can, or comparing numbers with others. What matters more is how you categorize, review, and build your own knowledge system. Tools like Notion or OneNote can help you group problems by topic, like “binary search patterns,” “sliding window tricks,” or “DFS and backtracking.” Within each category, pick 3–5 core problems and redo them until the concepts really sink in. Many questions might look different on the surface but actually share the same underlying techniques. Grouping and reviewing them helps you spot these patterns and drastically cut down on prep time.
LeetCode’s list of frequently asked questions by companies is also extremely valuable. The platform lets you filter problems by company tags like “Amazon Top,” “Google Favorite,” etc., so you can tailor your prep to your target companies. Each company tends to have a preference, too—Meta often focuses on graph theory and union-find; TikTok leans toward two pointers and sliding window techniques. Knowing what to expect lets you study smarter, not harder.
A common mistake people make is rushing through a problem, immediately looking at the solution if they get stuck, and feeling like they “get it” once they can copy the code. But this often gives a false sense of understanding. Instead, try thinking through each problem on your own for at least 20 minutes before checking any hints. Once you do look at the solution, retype the code yourself right away. Then, come back to the same problem the next day and try solving it from scratch. That’s when you’ll know if the concept really stuck.
LeetCode isn’t a silver bullet, but it is one of the most effective tools for tech interviews. Build a solid algorithm foundation through problem-solving, combine that with strong project experience and system design skills, and you’ll be much better equipped to stand out in interviews. For those aiming for IT roles in North America, LeetCode isn’t just practice—it’s a long game that requires consistency and smart strategies.
Release time:2025-05-22
