Cracking the Coding Interview is a cost-effective resource for individuals seeking to improve their technical skills and gain insights into the interview process. Pathrise offers a more personalized and comprehensive approach with mentorship and job search support, but it comes with a financial commitment through the ISA.
| Attribute | Cracking the Coding Interview (6th Edition) | Pathrise |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Structure | Includes sections on the interview process, behind the scenes insights into top tech companies, special situations, before the interview advice, behavioral questions, Big O notation, and technical questions. Covers data structures (arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs) and core algorithms (sorting, searching, recursion, dynamic programming). Includes 189 real-world programming interview questions. | Role-specific training materials, practice problems, resume templates, cover letter examples, networking scripts, negotiation frameworks. Tracks based on industry. |
| Personalized Coaching | Based on the author's experience coaching and interviewing hundreds of software engineers. Teaches you what you need to know to perform at your best. | Weekly 1-on-1 mentorship from experienced career advisors. Includes resume optimization, interview preparation, and salary negotiation. Weekly or bi-weekly calls with industry professionals. Mentors give feedback on resumes and provide practice interview sessions tailored to specific companies. |
| Mock Interview Quality | Includes hints and strategies for solving questions, designed to mimic real interview scenarios. | Realistic mock interviews with feedback and recorded sessions. Interviewers discuss performance and offer written feedback. |
| Industry Specialization | Provides insider perspectives on the hiring processes at top companies like Google and Facebook. | Early-career professionals, recent graduates, and individuals transitioning into tech, business, and related fields. Specialized tracks for Software Engineering, Data Science, Product Management, Product Design, Marketing, Sales, Strategy & Operations. |
| Career Guidance | Provides interview preparation needed to get top software developer jobs. Includes strategies for preparing for the interview, building a network, and what a software engineer's resume should look like. | Career mentorship, job search support, networking advice, and salary negotiation guidance. |
| Technical Skill Enhancement | Focuses on software engineering skills to ace technical interviews. Helps develop a deep understanding of essential computer science concepts and algorithms. | Helps job seekers navigate the hiring process for different technology stacks and learn how to approach technical interviews with data structures & algorithms. |
| Behavioral Interview Preparation | Provides techniques to prepare for and ace the behavioral side of interviews. Covers how to prepare for behavioral questions and give structured responses. | Curriculum covers technical and behavioral interviews. Helps users practice behavioral questions from top tech companies. |
| Salary Negotiation Support | Helps develop strategies to negotiate salary, benefits, and other important aspects of the job offer. | Assists with salary negotiation, aiming for a 10-20% salary increase. |
| Resume and Cover Letter Optimization | Includes a section describing what a software engineer's resume should look like. | Resume reviews, templates, and cover letter examples. Resume specialists are available. |
| Networking Opportunities | The book's website, CrackingTheCodinglnterview.com, helps connect candidates and discover new resources. | Access to a broad professional network. Helps users efficiently manage applications and track progress. |
| Success Rate | Designed to help you perform at your best in coding interviews. | 95% placement rate. Fellows typically experience an increase in interview scores and more job offers. |
| Cost and Payment Options | Available for purchase from multiple sources including Powell's Books and Amazon. Priced around $39.95 new, and used copies are also available. | Income Share Agreement (ISA). No upfront payment. Repayment is a percentage (7% to 14%) of the first year's salary after securing a job. ISA is waived if a job isn't secured within 12 months. |
| Price | $39.95 new | Not available |
| Ratings | Not available | Not available |