My First Ever Technical Interview – Uber SWE 🚀

This was my first technical interview ever, and honestly, it went better than I expected. Leading up to the interview, I was incredibly nervous and anxious—not just about the interview itself, but also about disappointing my mentor, who had referred me for this opportunity. I wanted to give it my best shot, but I knew I hadn't practiced enough, nor had I expected to even get this interview.

The pressure and self-doubt made me feel like I didn't deserve to be there. It had been months since I last touched algorithms, data structures, or databases. Unlike many candidates who spend months preparing, I hadn’t even considered preparing for interview season because I didn't think I'd be working anytime soon. My schedule was already packed, and I didn’t see a reason to prioritize interview prep.

At one point, I even debated whether I should go through with the interview. But after talking to my mentor, I realized this was a learning opportunity—a chance to understand the interview process firsthand. Not everyone lands a job on their first try, and I had to overcome the idea that failing an interview meant failing entirely.

So, I went in with a tiny bit of hope.

To my surprise, I had great interviewers—kind, supportive, and open to discussion. I really appreciated that the interview felt more like a conversation rather than just a test of my coding skills. They weren’t only evaluating my technical abilities but also how I thought through problems. I now realize that technical interviews aren’t just about coding—they’re about communicating your thought process, engaging in discussion, and staying composed under pressure.

I’ll admit, my coding implementation could have been stronger, but I learned so much from this experience. Next time, I’ll walk into an interview with confidence, knowing that preparation will replace my insecurities. And who knows? Maybe I’ll get to interview at Uber again in the future—more prepared, more confident, and ready to rock it.

Cheers to more interviews, more learning, and more growth! 🥂