http://courses.csail.mit.edu/iap/interview/Hacking_a_Google_Interview_Handout_1.pdf
When asked a question, open a dialog with the interviewer. Let them know what you are thinking.
You might, for example, suggest a slow or partial solution (let them know that the solution is not ideal), mention some observations about the problem, or say any ideas you have that might lead to a solution.
Often, interviewers will give hints if you appear to be stuck.
Do's
• Ask for clarification on a problem if you didn't understand something or if there is any ambiguity
• Let the interviewer know what you are thinking
• Suggest multiple approaches to the problem
• Bounce ideas off the interviewer (such as ideas for data structures or algorithms)
• If you get stuck, don't be afraid to let them know and politely ask for a hint
Don't's
• Never give up! This says nothing good about your problem solving skills.
• Don't just sit in silence while thinking. The interviewer has limited time to find out as much as possible about you, and not talking with them tells them nothing, except that you can sit there silently.
• If you already know the answer, don't just blurt it out! They will suspect that you already knew the answer and didn't tell them you've seen the question before. At least pretend to be thinking though the problem before you give the answer!
When asked a question, open a dialog with the interviewer. Let them know what you are thinking.
You might, for example, suggest a slow or partial solution (let them know that the solution is not ideal), mention some observations about the problem, or say any ideas you have that might lead to a solution.
Often, interviewers will give hints if you appear to be stuck.
Do's
• Ask for clarification on a problem if you didn't understand something or if there is any ambiguity
• Let the interviewer know what you are thinking
• Suggest multiple approaches to the problem
• Bounce ideas off the interviewer (such as ideas for data structures or algorithms)
• If you get stuck, don't be afraid to let them know and politely ask for a hint
Don't's
• Never give up! This says nothing good about your problem solving skills.
• Don't just sit in silence while thinking. The interviewer has limited time to find out as much as possible about you, and not talking with them tells them nothing, except that you can sit there silently.
• If you already know the answer, don't just blurt it out! They will suspect that you already knew the answer and didn't tell them you've seen the question before. At least pretend to be thinking though the problem before you give the answer!
