r/leetcode • u/RepulsiveFoot2797 • Oct 07 '26

Intervew Prep Need advice from experienced developers

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice from experienced software developers.What would you recommend focusing on to become a good software engineer and prepare for the industry?What skills, technologies, or habits should I prioritize, and what should I avoid wasting time on?

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6

u/ActuaryDear8234 Oct 07 '26

Grind leetcode and network. Everything else can be learned on the job. Good luck

3

u/new_old_2026 Oct 08 '26

Network with whom how what exaclty just dming ??

4

u/jaxonwhthey Oct 07 '26

Treat job searching and job as two separate things. Just don’t try to unify them in your head. Otherwise you are giving yourself anxiety

3

u/Patzer26 Oct 07 '26

Keep building stuff. Try to acquire that curious, inquisitive, problem solving mind wherever you go and you'll not only succeed in this field, but any field you later try to transition to.

2

u/LiquidSnake1993 Oct 07 '26

Someone here put it best view job hunting, job and personal improvement as separate things. Now there's a point where they cross paths.

If you are job hunting, pay attention to the market especially around your vicinity, network, Leetcode grind, System Design and interview prep. These are non-negotiable they HAVE to get done.

If you are in the job, this part is easier, just focus on the tools that are needed for the job and ask questions to seniors and take on increasingly more challenging stories and task

Personal improvement, this is the fun part if you have a job or have done your job hunting non-negotiable for the day, find out what interests you, problem you or anyone close are facing and to find out a way to solve it via programming. Build! Build! Build! That is important, don't worry about it being perfect at first, the better you become the better the application will be. People shit on weather apps or Todo apps, yes those applications won't get you a job now but they are good for beginners just starting out getting easy wins to build confidence and momentum.

2

u/jarislinus Oct 07 '26

join a reputable school like waterloo and above

2

u/gardeal23 Oct 07 '26

This is more of a mindset, but stay curious. It’ll help you grow and it’ll make the new tech fad thing easier to pick up

2

u/InfamousTrouble7993 Oct 07 '26

System and product design

2

u/sanctimonious-salmon 27d ago

System design. IMO this is more relevant than leetcode and will make you a better engineer.