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Why Experienced Programmers Fail Coding Interviews

Vijay Kumar Gupta
9 min readSep 7, 2024

When we think of coding interviews, especially in the tech industry, they often seem like a rite of passage — one that many programmers, both new and experienced, must pass to land a job at top tech companies. While junior developers often struggle with a lack of experience or knowledge gaps, it’s surprising to discover that even seasoned programmers sometimes fail coding interviews.

With years of experience, deep knowledge of programming languages, frameworks, and design patterns, why do experienced professionals stumble in these interviews? In this blog, we will explore the common reasons why experienced programmers fail coding interviews, dissect the hiring process, and offer solutions to improve the odds of success.

1. Coding Interviews Are Not Always a Measure of Real-World Skills

One of the main reasons experienced developers fail coding interviews is the difference between what coding interviews test and what programmers actually do in real-world jobs. Many coding interviews emphasize algorithms, data structures, and problems that require on-the-spot thinking, rather than the kind of problem-solving skills needed in actual programming roles.

Problem 1: Focus on Algorithmic Puzzles

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Vijay Kumar Gupta
Vijay Kumar Gupta

Written by Vijay Kumar Gupta

Vijay Gupta is an inspiring public speaker and social entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to bringing about positive change and empowering communities.

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