I practiced 300+ LeetCode problems but still freeze in interviews

Question

I've solved over 300 LeetCode problems, but when I’m actually in an interview, I freeze up. It’s like everything I learned disappears the moment someone starts watching me code.

Is this just anxiety, or is it that practicing LC doesn’t reflect real interview pressure at all?

Lately I’ve been wondering if I need to switch to something more real-world, like mock interviews or project-style challenges. Curious how others overcame this gap between practice and performance.

gsf332 · Accepted Answer

Doing Leetcode at home doesn’t mean you’ll do well in interviews, I got same feeling in my first interview and totally screwed up.  Switched to mock interviews after that, plus used  hack2hire and 1p3a to see what actually comes up. You’ll need a translator for 1p3a since it’s a Chinese site.

jlew24asu · Answer

I've been at my company for 10 years.  I am literally the top performer on my global team.   if I were to interview today, I would have zero chance at being hired.  I too freeze up.   many years I took RHCSA test, took me 3 tries.

refer61614 · Answer

You need to practice as closely as possible to your actual interview setting.If the interview is going to be with a whiteboard and marker, practice that way. If it’s over zoom and an online code editor, sit with a friend and do that.Knowledge is one factor, and anxiety is the other. Setting things up as close to the real thing will help with the anxiety.

I practiced 300+ LeetCode problems but still freeze in interviews

About

Tech

Members