Effective Communication in Interviews

💬 Think Out Loud

Don’t keep your thoughts hidden. Talk through your ideas as you explore the problem.
Interviewers want to see your reasoning, not just the final answer.

👀 Keep the Interviewer in the Loop

Check in frequently:

• “Does that make sense so far?”

• “Would you like me to expand on this part?”

This helps clarify confusion early and avoid misunderstandings.

🔄 Discuss Alternatives

If you're choosing between different approaches or data structures:

• List the options

• Weigh pros and cons

• Justify your final choice

This shows your ability to evaluate trade-offs—a key engineering skill.

🆘 Explain When You're Stuck

Stuck? Don’t go silent.
Say what you’ve tried, what’s not working, and what you’re thinking next.
It invites guidance and shows resilience, not weakness.

⏳ Ask for Thinking Time

Need a minute? Just say:

“Let me take a few seconds to think this through.”

It signals that you’re thoughtful—not frozen.

Remember:
Interviewers are evaluating your collaboration skills, not just your code. Great communication can often make up for an imperfect solution.