Best Courses, Boot Camps, and Tutors to Crack Coding Interviews at Google and Facebook

October 5, 2024 · 11 minutes read

Reviewed by: Liam Chen

Table of Contents

Cracking coding interviews at top tech companies like Google and Facebook (Meta) can be a daunting task, but with the right preparation and guidance, it’s achievable. These companies are known for their rigorous technical interviews, focusing on problem-solving, algorithms, data structures, and system design. To succeed, it’s essential to prepare thoroughly and practice consistently. Fortunately, there are several courses, boot camps, and tutors designed specifically to help you ace these interviews.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the best courses, boot camps, and tutoring services available that can help you succeed in coding interviews at top companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, and more.


1. Courses and Online Platforms for Coding Interview Prep

Several online platforms offer specialized courses and tutorials designed to teach the skills required for technical interviews at companies like Google and Facebook. These courses cover a range of topics from algorithms and data structures to system design and behavioral interview tips.

1.1. “Cracking the Coding Interview” by Gayle Laakmann McDowell

This is one of the most popular and highly recommended resources for preparing for coding interviews. The book contains 189 programming questions and detailed solutions that are designed to mirror the questions you’ll face in technical interviews at companies like Google and Facebook.

  • What You’ll Learn:
    • Problem-solving strategies for technical interviews
    • Key algorithms and data structures
    • Behavioral interview tips
  • Resource: Cracking the Coding Interview

Best For: Candidates preparing for both technical and behavioral aspects of coding interviews.

1.2. Educative.io: “Grokking the Coding Interview”

Educative.io offers a popular course titled Grokking the Coding Interview, which takes a systematic approach to preparing for technical interviews. The course focuses on explaining how to solve key coding problems commonly asked in interviews at tech giants.

  • Key Features:
    • Patterns-based learning: Learn problem-solving patterns like sliding windows, dynamic programming, and tree traversals.
    • Interactive coding environment: No need to set up an IDE.
    • Real-world examples: Questions are aligned with actual interview problems.
  • Resource: Grokking the Coding Interview

Best For: Candidates who prefer a pattern-based approach to coding problems, making it easier to solve variations of common problems.

1.3. LeetCode

LeetCode is one of the most widely-used platforms for coding interview preparation, offering a huge collection of coding problems organized by difficulty and topic. LeetCode has Google and Facebook-specific problem sets, helping you focus on the types of questions these companies typically ask.

  • What You’ll Get:
    • A large library of coding problems and solutions
    • A company-specific section where you can practice problems recently asked at Google, Facebook, and other top companies.
    • Contest features for timed coding challenges.
  • Resource: LeetCode

Best For: Candidates looking for extensive hands-on coding practice across a variety of problem types.

1.4. Interview Cake

Interview Cake is an interactive platform that helps you prepare for technical interviews by offering a step-by-step approach to problem-solving. It focuses on explaining solutions with clarity, helping you learn how to tackle unfamiliar coding problems.

  • Key Features:
    • Explains coding problems with easy-to-understand, digestible solutions.
    • Focus on topics like dynamic programming, greedy algorithms, and graphs.
    • Real-world problems curated for Google and Facebook interviews.
  • Resource: Interview Cake

Best For: Candidates who prefer detailed explanations of problems and solutions, making it a great option for those who want to truly understand the underlying concepts.


2. Boot Camps for Coding Interview Preparation

If you prefer a more structured and intensive learning environment, several coding boot camps specialize in preparing you for coding interviews at top tech companies.

2.1. Interview Kickstart

Interview Kickstart is one of the most comprehensive programs designed specifically for technical interview preparation. It offers both live classes and hands-on practice with coding, algorithms, data structures, and system design, preparing you for interviews at top companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon.

  • What’s Included:
    • Instructor-led classes with expert coaches, many of whom are ex-employees of major tech companies.
    • Mock interviews with real-time feedback.
    • Specialization in system design and coding interviews.
    • 1-on-1 mentorship from industry experts.
  • Resource: Interview Kickstart

Best For: Professionals looking for an intensive, structured program with personalized coaching and mock interviews.

2.2. AlgoExpert

AlgoExpert is another leading platform designed to help software engineers prepare for coding interviews at companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. It offers 100+ coding challenges, detailed video explanations, and interview tips from ex-Google engineers.

  • What You’ll Learn:
    • Solutions for more than 100 coding problems across various topics.
    • System design fundamentals to prepare for interviews that require designing scalable solutions.
    • Detailed video walkthroughs of solutions for complex algorithms and data structures.
  • Resource: AlgoExpert

Best For: Candidates looking for video-based solutions and system design interview prep.

2.3. Coding Dojo

Coding Dojo offers an immersive coding boot camp that prepares students for full-stack development and technical interviews. While the boot camp primarily teaches programming skills, it also emphasizes interview preparation for tech companies, offering mock interviews and career coaching.

  • Key Features:
    • Full-stack development curriculum that teaches popular languages like Python, Java, and JavaScript.
    • Job placement support including technical interview practice.
    • Mock interviews and guidance on cracking coding challenges at top companies.
  • Resource: Coding Dojo

Best For: Candidates looking to improve both coding skills and interview techniques in a structured boot camp setting.


3. Tutors and Personalized Coaching for Interview Prep

If you prefer personalized coaching, several platforms and services provide 1-on-1 tutoring to help you prepare for coding interviews. These tutors are often ex-employees of major tech companies and provide hands-on guidance in cracking complex coding challenges.

3.1. CodePath

CodePath offers both free and paid coding interview preparation courses led by software engineers from companies like Google and Facebook. The program focuses on teaching algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving skills to help candidates prepare for technical interviews.

  • Key Features:
    • Free courses on interview preparation.
    • 1-on-1 tutoring and personalized feedback on coding solutions.
    • Practical projects and problem sets similar to those asked at major tech companies.
  • Resource: CodePath

Best For: Students and professionals looking for a structured curriculum with options for personalized feedback.

3.2. Exponent

Exponent offers 1-on-1 coaching sessions for tech interviews, including coding, system design, and behavioral interviews. Their coaches are ex-employees from companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. You can schedule mock interviews and receive detailed feedback on your performance.

  • What’s Included:
    • Personalized mock interviews and feedback.
    • Focus on system design, coding interviews, and behavioral questions.
    • Courses on interview preparation, including data structures and algorithms.
  • Resource: Exponent

Best For: Candidates who want personalized coaching from former engineers and tech leads at FAANG companies.

3.3. Interviewing.io

Interviewing.io offers mock technical interviews with experienced interviewers who have worked at top companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. You get immediate feedback after the mock interview, helping you improve in real-time.

  • Key Features:
    • Anonymous mock interviews with experienced engineers.
    • Detailed feedback on performance and suggestions for improvement.
    • You can unlock real job interviews based on your performance.
  • Resource: Interviewing.io

Best For: Candidates looking for real-time practice and mock interviews with feedback from industry experts.


Conclusion: How to Prepare for Coding Interviews at Google and Facebook

Preparing for coding interviews at companies like Google and Facebook requires a well-rounded approach. Combining self-study, courses, boot camps, and 1-on-1 tutoring can significantly improve your chances of success. Platforms like LeetCode, Grokking the Coding Interview, and AlgoExpert are great for hands-on practice, while boot camps like Interview Kickstart and personalized coaching through Exponent or Interviewing.io can provide structured, tailored guidance.

For more coding interview prep tips and tech insights, follow @cerebrixorg on social media!

Dr. Maya Jensen

Tech Visionary and Industry Storyteller

Read also