The freeCodeCamp Podcast #180 We are truly in the Hackathon Era – Namanh Kapur interview
8 snips
Jul 18, 2025 Namanh Kapur, a Senior Software Engineer at LinkedIn and a YouTube mentor for developers, shares invaluable insights in this discussion. He dives into the changing landscape of tech interviews, stressing the importance of creativity over rote memorization. Tips for networking with recruiters, especially through cold DMs, are highlighted. Namanh emphasizes how AI tools can reduce repetitive tasks, allowing developers to focus on innovative problem-solving. He also discusses the significance of foundational skills and the evolving nature of software engineering roles in today’s market.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Roy Lee's Cheating Tool Story
- Roy Lee created a cheating tool for LeetCode interviews and publicly exposed the flaws in tech hiring.
- Namanh met Roy in person and admires his drive despite the controversial approach.
Most Hard Problems Solved
- Many hard technical problems in software have been solved; today’s problems are often smaller or business-specific.
- Entry-level engineers mostly maintain and optimize existing systems rather than solving groundbreaking problems.
Hackathon Era Mindset
- Embrace the hackathon era by building and shipping projects quickly to solve real problems.
- Use your laptop and available tools to iterate fast and create value, even if it's just for yourself.