Preparing for a coding interview can be nerve-wracking, especially as the big day approaches. While long-term preparation is crucial, what you do in the 24 hours before your interview can significantly impact your performance. This guide outlines effective strategies to optimize your mental and physical state, review key concepts, and set yourself up for success on interview day.

Table of Contents

Mental Preparation: Finding the Right Mindset

The day before your coding interview, your mental state is just as important as your technical knowledge. Here’s how to get your mind ready:

Practice Positive Visualization

Take 10-15 minutes to visualize yourself succeeding in the interview. Imagine confidently solving problems, communicating clearly with interviewers, and handling challenging questions with ease. This technique, used by professional athletes, can reduce anxiety and boost confidence.

Reframe Nervousness as Excitement

Research from Harvard Business School suggests that reframing anxiety as excitement can improve performance. Instead of telling yourself “I’m so nervous,” try saying “I’m excited for this opportunity.” This simple shift can transform nervous energy into positive anticipation.

Set Realistic Expectations

Remind yourself that it’s normal not to know everything. Even experienced developers get stuck during interviews. The interviewer isn’t expecting perfection; they want to see your problem-solving process and how you handle challenges.

A healthy mindset might include thoughts like:

Light Technical Review: What to Focus On

The day before is not the time to learn new concepts or algorithms. Instead, focus on light review of material you’ve already studied:

Core Data Structures

Briefly review the time and space complexity of common operations for:

Don’t memorize implementations, but ensure you understand when and why to use each structure.

Algorithm Patterns

Refresh your memory on common algorithm patterns you’ve studied:

Quick Reference Sheet

Create or review a one-page “cheat sheet” with key concepts, syntax reminders, and problem-solving approaches. This serves as a memory refresher rather than a learning tool. For example:

// Binary search template
function binarySearch(arr, target) {
    let left = 0;
    let right = arr.length - 1;
    
    while (left <= right) {
        let mid = Math.floor((left + right) / 2);
        
        if (arr[mid] === target) return mid;
        if (arr[mid] < target) left = mid + 1;
        else right = mid - 1;
    }
    
    return -1;
}

Language-Specific Review

Quickly review any language-specific features you might need for your interview. Focus on:

For Python developers, this might include list comprehensions, dictionary methods, or the collections module. For JavaScript developers, array methods, closures, or promises might be worth reviewing.

Company Research: Last-Minute Insights

Take 30-60 minutes to refresh your knowledge about the company and role:

Review the Job Description

Re-read the job posting, highlighting key technologies, responsibilities, and qualifications. This will help you tailor your responses and questions during the interview.

Latest Company News

Check if there have been any recent announcements, product launches, or company news. Being aware of these developments shows your interest in the organization and can provide talking points.

Interviewer Background

If you know who will be interviewing you, take a quick look at their LinkedIn profile or company bio. Understanding their role and background can help you connect and ask relevant questions.

Prepare Your Questions

Refine 3-5 thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers. These might include:

Physical Preparation: Setting Up for Success

Your physical state significantly impacts your cognitive performance. Here’s how to optimize it:

Sleep Prioritization

Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep the night before your interview. Research from the Sleep Foundation shows that adequate sleep improves problem-solving abilities, memory recall, and cognitive function—all crucial for coding interviews.

To improve sleep quality:

Meal Planning

Plan what you’ll eat before the interview. Choose foods that provide steady energy without causing crashes:

Light Exercise

Consider a 20-30 minute walk, light jog, or yoga session. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, reduces stress hormones, and releases endorphins that improve mood. A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that even brief exercise sessions can boost cognitive performance and problem-solving abilities.

Hydration

Ensure you’re well-hydrated, as even mild dehydration can impair cognitive function. Drink water consistently throughout the day before, but not so much that you’ll need frequent bathroom breaks during the interview.

Interview Logistics: Eliminating Day-of Stress

Taking care of logistics the day before frees you to focus entirely on the interview:

Confirm Interview Details

Double-check all interview details, including:

Prepare Your Space

For in-person interviews:

For remote interviews:

Documentation

Have these documents ready and easily accessible:

Should You Do a Mock Interview?

The day before your interview might seem like a good time for a final mock interview, but consider these factors:

Potential Benefits

Potential Drawbacks

Balanced Approach

If you decide to do a mock interview, keep it light and focus on the process rather than performance:

A good alternative might be to verbally walk through the solution to a problem you’ve already solved before, just to practice your communication skills.

What to Avoid the Day Before

Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do:

Avoid Learning New Material

The day before is not the time to learn new algorithms, data structures, or programming concepts. Attempting to cram new information can lead to confusion and reduced confidence in what you already know well.

Avoid Difficult Problems

Stay away from challenging, unfamiliar problems that might shake your confidence. If you want to practice, stick to problems similar to ones you’ve successfully solved before.

Limit Social Media and News

Excessive consumption of social media or news can increase anxiety and distract from your preparation. Consider a partial digital detox to maintain focus and reduce stress.

Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others

Resist the urge to visit forums like Blind, Reddit, or Leetcode discussions where people share interview experiences. These can trigger imposter syndrome and unnecessary anxiety.

Avoid Excessive Caffeine or Alcohol

Too much caffeine can increase anxiety and disrupt sleep. Similarly, alcohol might help you fall asleep initially but typically reduces sleep quality and cognitive function the next day.

Morning of the Interview: A Quick Checklist

While this article focuses on the day before, here’s a brief morning-of checklist to complement your preparation:

Technical Preparation

Mental Preparation

Physical Preparation

Special Considerations for Remote Interviews

Remote coding interviews have become standard practice. Here are specific considerations for the day before a virtual interview:

Technical Setup

Take time to thoroughly test your technical setup:

Environment Optimization

Set up your physical space for success:

Minimize Distractions

Prepare for Technical Difficulties

Have backup plans ready:

Conclusion: Balancing Preparation and Rest

The day before a coding interview requires a delicate balance between preparation and rest. While it’s tempting to cram or practice intensively, your focus should be on consolidating what you already know and ensuring you’re in optimal physical and mental condition.

Remember these key principles:

By following these guidelines, you’ll set yourself up for success and be able to showcase your true abilities during the interview. Remember that the interview is not just a test of your technical skills but also an opportunity to demonstrate your problem-solving approach, communication abilities, and how you handle challenges—all qualities that make a successful software developer.

Finally, regardless of the outcome, each interview is a valuable learning experience that contributes to your growth as a developer. Approach it with curiosity and openness, and you’ve already succeeded in an important way.

Quick Day-Before Checklist

With thoughtful preparation the day before, you’ll walk into your coding interview with confidence, clarity, and the mental space to showcase your best work. Good luck!