🧠 Do We Really Need to Practice Leetcode for Interviews?

How to Think About Interview Prep for Maximum Return on Time?

Hey Friends👋,

Let’s get real — you open Leetcode, sort by “Top 100 Liked Questions,” and then… burnout. Again.
You wonder: “Is this really helping? Or am I just chasing patterns like a robot?”

If that’s you, you’re not alone.
The better question isn't “Do I need Leetcode?”
It’s: “What’s the right approach to grow both as a dev and as an interview candidate?”

Let’s unpack a deeper, more sustainable system — one I call the “CSM Cycle” 🚴:

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🔁 The CSM Cycle: A New Framework for Interview Mastery

💡 C - Contextual Practice
Solve problems in context, not isolation.
Build small utilities or tools — a to-do app with dynamic filters, a weather fetcher using API retries, or a real-time stock ticker with websockets.
This simulates coding under realistic pressure — and guess what? You cover common interview patterns without grinding mindlessly.

Inspired by: “Deep Work” by Cal Newport — the key is high-quality, focused work, not quantity.

💡 S - Structured Review
After solving a problem or building a tool, reflect:

• What new concept did I learn (e.g. two-pointer, memoization, or debounce)?

• Could I explain this to a junior dev?

• Can I rewrite the same logic in another language I use, say C++ or Rust?

This builds depth-first understanding — not just surface-level solving.

Bonus Tip: Maintain a “Learn Log” — one line per concept.
You’ll be shocked by how your confidence improves in 2-3 weeks.

💡 M - Mock with Feedback
You’re not interview-ready until you simulate one.
Set up mock sessions with friends, use online platforms, or just record yourself solving on a whiteboard or plain doc.

Now here's where things get serious 👇
Pair this with AceInterviewAI — our AI Interview Coach that helps you master real-time mock interviews.
We’ve rolled out a new Live Coding Mode so you can practice like it’s the real thing.
🎯 Try it now — it’s free!

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🧭 Where Leetcode Fits (and Doesn’t)

Leetcode is a tool, not a strategy.
Use it to understand core patterns, but don't make it your identity.
A better ROI often comes from:

• 🔧 Real-world mini-projects (like your stock ticker app or video chat platform)

• 📚 Deep dives into system design and DB modeling

• ✍️ Writing blogs or newsletters to reinforce learning

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🧠 Final Mindset Shift

Instead of asking:
“How many problems should I solve to clear FAANG?”
Try asking:
“What skill can I sharpen today that 1 month from now makes me more confident, valuable, and interview-ready?”

It’s consistency, not volume.
Depth, not dopamine.

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📘 Further Reading to Sharpen Your Thinking:

• “The Complete Software Developer’s Career Guide” by John Sonmez

• “Decode and Conquer” by Lewis Lin

• “Soft Skills: The Software Developer's Life Manual” by John Sonmez

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If this helped you rethink your prep journey, reply to this email — I’d love to hear your approach.
And if you're serious about interviews, try AceInterviewAI's mock interview coach — it’s 100% free.

🧠 Follow me on YouTube – "Let Us Code Together" for real-world builds and dev insights.
🧵 Catch weekly Rust and tech drops on Medium and here every Wednesday.

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"Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong." – Unknown

Stay sharp,
Jeni

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