2. Where did you get the idea that Google asks questions out of a text book? But yes, practicing your whiteboarding skills is a good idea. It comes in handy once you actually work as a team on designs. (I love to sit down and sketch out things for myself, but from a certain problem size on that's largely practical)
2.1 It's a basic filter (and should be part of the phone screening, before you waste a day on interview). A surprising number of people really has trouble understanding even mildly advanced data structures. If (and only if!) those matter in what your company is doing, screen for that as early as possible. Trees do the job.
4. Be careful about that. If you keep interviewing successfully and turning down offers because you like your current place, you are (at least temporarily) closing doors. So be sure to know at what conditions you'd be willing to switch, because you just might get an offer that's hard to refuse.
2. Erm..because I interviewed there and found out the next day that the question I had been asked was an exercise problem in Skiena?
4. Well, I am not suggesting interviewing if you are happily married to your current job. I thought OP was not happy and wanted to interview to get a new one.
2. Where did you get the idea that Google asks questions out of a text book? But yes, practicing your whiteboarding skills is a good idea. It comes in handy once you actually work as a team on designs. (I love to sit down and sketch out things for myself, but from a certain problem size on that's largely practical)
2.1 It's a basic filter (and should be part of the phone screening, before you waste a day on interview). A surprising number of people really has trouble understanding even mildly advanced data structures. If (and only if!) those matter in what your company is doing, screen for that as early as possible. Trees do the job.
4. Be careful about that. If you keep interviewing successfully and turning down offers because you like your current place, you are (at least temporarily) closing doors. So be sure to know at what conditions you'd be willing to switch, because you just might get an offer that's hard to refuse.