Use a four-step process-explain, test, code, debug-to turn whiteboard puzzles into a showcase of your thinking, impress interviewers, and reduce interview anxiety.
Whiteboard coding puzzles feel like a trap, but the real goal is not to solve the puzzle in isolation-it's to demonstrate your thinking to the interviewer. The author frames the puzzle as a distraction and argues that you win by controlling the conversation and showing a disciplined process. This mindset shifts the interview from a frantic sprint to a structured dialogue where you guide the evaluator through your approach.
The piece outlines a four-step routine: first, explain the plan; second, write test cases on the board; third, implement a first pass solution; fourth, run the tests and debug. By narrating each step, you keep the interviewer engaged and provide visible progress. The example dialogue shows how a candidate can pivot from a vague stare to a concrete, test-driven walk-through, even if the final solution isn't perfect.
Technical leaders can use this playbook to coach teams on interview technique, reduce candidate anxiety, and evaluate interviewers on how well they respond to a structured process. It also reinforces the broader principle of making thinking explicit-a skill that translates to design reviews, sprint planning, and cross-functional collaboration.
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