What Language to Use During Your Interview
It's Not Python
What programming language to use during your interview?
The answer to this question is simple: use the language you are most familiar with. Do not blindly default to Python unless that's the language you use most often.
Here's Why
During a coding interview, you want to impress your interviewers—not just by solving the problem, but also by demonstrating proficiency and fluency in the language you choose. Your choice reflects your technical abilities and your approach to work. In fact, many companies include "coding fluency" as one of the assessment criteria during interviews.
Using a language you're deeply familiar with allows you to:
Write code more efficiently: You can focus on solving the problem rather than wrestling with syntax.
Demonstrate best practices: Show your understanding of the language's idioms and nuances.
Handle edge cases confidently: You're less likely to be tripped up by unfamiliar behavior or gotchas.
When to Use Python
There are only a few reasons to use Python during your interviews:
It's the language you use at work: If Python is your primary language professionally, by all means, use it.
You don't have a clear go-to language: If you're in college or have just graduated and haven't specialized in a particular language, Python is a good choice due to its readability and ease of use.
Your only other language is Assembly.
Personal Experience
The last time I changed jobs and interviewed with several companies, I used Java, and it was perfectly fine. At the time, I worked at Amazon and wrote most of my code in Java, so it made sense to use it during interviews.
If I were to interview today, I would use Ruby, because that's the language I used daily at my last job at Chime and also for my side projects.
Could I write the code in Python? Probably, yes. But I don't know all the intricacies of Python to fully showcase my coding skills. Even though I'm familiar with Python's idioms, there could be a problem where I might need parts of Python that I haven't used as much.
In fact, during one of my interviews in my last job-hunting cycle, I needed advanced object-oriented programming (OOP) skills as well as data structures and algorithms (DSA) knowledge to fully solve the given problem. Had I used anything other than Java at the time, I might have failed that interview.
Why Do I Use Python in My Newsletter?
You may have noticed that much of my content includes examples in Python and often references Python's implementation of different functions and data structures. The reason is simple:
Python is a common default: Many people choose Python when preparing for coding interviews due to its simplicity and readability.
Widespread familiarity: Even if readers prefer a different language, they're often familiar with Python syntax, making the examples accessible.
Focus on concepts: Using a universally understood language helps convey ideas without getting bogged down in language-specific details.
Bottom Line: Use the programming language you are most comfortable with during your interviews. It allows you to demonstrate your true potential and makes the problem-solving process smoother. While Python is a fantastic language, it's not the automatic choice for everyone—and that's perfectly okay.
I'm Accepting New Mentees!
Are you looking for a mentor to guide you and keep you accountable on your tech interview preparation journey? I'm here to help.
I'm opening up a few spots for motivated individuals who would benefit from weekly one-on-one mentorship sessions. Together, we'll:
Develop a personalized study plan
Master problem-solving techniques
Build confidence for your interviews
Ready to take your preparation to the next level? Book a free introductory session with me here.
Stay curious and happy coding!
Nurbo