The difference between success and burnout often comes down to one thing:
👉 Having a clear, structured study plan tailored to your goals, timeline, and real-life constraints.
Here’s how to build one that actually works.
1️⃣ Set Clear, Realistic Goals
Goal setting is the most critical (and often overlooked) step. Vague goals like “I want to work at Google” don’t translate into results. Instead, use SMART goals — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Start with questions like:
- When do I want to start interviewing?
- How many hours per week can I realistically commit?
- Which companies or roles am I targeting?
- Which skills am I confident in — and which need work?
💡 Example:“I want to be interview-ready for Amazon and Meta within 12 weeks, targeting backend roles. I can commit 10 hours per week, mostly in the evenings.”
Then, break your goal into weekly milestones:
- Weeks 1–4: Complete data structure fundamentals (arrays, trees, hash maps)
- Weeks 5–8: Solve 75 LeetCode medium problems, review dynamic programming
- Weeks 9–10: Focus on system design concepts, complete 5 mock interviews
- Weeks 11–12: Polish behavioral stories, target company-specific prep
✅ Smaller milestones = momentum. Mini-wins keep motivation high and procrastination low.
2️⃣ Choose the Right Resources (Without Overwhelm)
There’s no shortage of resources — but trying too many can dilute your focus. Instead, go deep on a few that fit your learning style:
💻 Coding Practice
- LeetCode: Focus on popular patterns like binary trees, sliding window, two pointers, dynamic programming
- HackerRank: Great for fundamentals and company-specific prep
- CodeSignal: Gamified and time-based practice — ideal for assessments
📘 Interview Strategy
- Cracking the Coding Interview: A classic, especially for structured learners
- NeetCode.io: Pattern-based LeetCode roadmaps with guided solutions
- AlgoExpert: High-quality video explanations for visual learners
🏗️ System Design
- Grokking the System Design Interview: Beginner-friendly and scenario-based
- YouTube Channels: Creators like Gaurav Sen and Tech Dummies offer deep dives — for free
💬 Behavioral Prep
- Review your target company’s culture and values (e.g., Amazon’s Leadership Principles)
- Prepare 8–10 strong STAR stories that can adapt across questions
- Use tools like Interviewing.io or book a mock interview with me on MentorCruise
🎯 Go for depth, not breadth.Don’t binge 10 random system design videos — choose 2–3 high-quality ones and practice articulating your takeaways out loud.
Interview prep is a marathon, not a sprint. Trying to cram everything in a few weeks can backfire. Focus on building habits, not just completing checklists. Rest, recharge, and give yourself grace — sustainable momentum is the secret weapon most candidates overlook.
3️⃣ Create a Realistic, Flexible Schedule
The perfect plan is worthless if it doesn’t fit into your life.
Create a weekly routine based on your real availability, and build in some slack for the unexpected.
Sample Weekly Schedule:
- Monday & Thursday (1.5 hrs): Coding practice (e.g., binary search)
- Wednesday (30 min): Flashcards & STAR story review
- Saturday (2 hrs): System design + 1 mock interview
- Sunday (1 hr): Weekly reflection + error review
💡 Try “Power Hours” — 60-minute, distraction-free sessions where you focus on one topic. Two of these can outperform four scattered half-hour blocks.
And remember: Flexibility matters. Missed a session? That’s okay. Adjust and keep going. Long-term consistency beats short-term perfection.
4️⃣ Track Your Progress and Adapt
A great plan evolves with you.
Create a simple tracking system — Google Sheets, Notion, or even pen and paper — where you log:
- ✅ What you studied and when
- 🔢 Problems solved + accuracy
- 🤔 Topics you struggled with
- 🎤 Mock interview results and feedback
Over time, trends will emerge:
- Struggling with recursion? Spend more time on it.
- Mastered hash maps? Start tapering.
Tracking builds self-awareness and confidence — and gives you proof of progress when self-doubt creeps in.
5️⃣ Don’t Skip Behavioral & System Design
Too many candidates focus only on LeetCode — and get blindsided.
💬 Behavioral Interviews
These test communication, leadership, and decision-making. At companies like Amazon, they’re weighted as heavily as technical interviews. Prepare thoroughly using the STAR format.
🏗️ System Design Interviews
These evaluate your ability to design scalable systems under constraints. Even early-career engineers should practice explaining:
- Trade-offs
- Architecture decisions
- Failure handling
- Security and scaling
Use a clear framework:Client → API → Data Flow → Scaling → Reliability → Security
6️⃣ Practice Like It’s Game Day
Studying is only half the battle — practicing under real interview conditions is what truly sets you apart.
🧠 Simulate real interviewsSet a timer, talk out loud, and use tools like CoderPad or a whiteboard. Mimicking actual interviews helps reduce anxiety and builds confidence in your process.
🎤 Do mock interviews regularlyMock interviews reveal blind spots and sharpen your thinking under pressure. Whether with peers or professionals, feedback is key to leveling up.
💬 Refine your communicationTop candidates don’t just solve problems — they explain their approach clearly and thoughtfully. Practice speaking out loud, structuring your answers, and handling edge cases.
👥 Need expert feedback?You can book a mock interview with me on MentorCruise or use platforms like Interviewing.io to simulate real-world interviews with experienced engineers.
7️⃣ Build Confidence Through Reflection and Review
Mastery isn’t just about doing more — it’s about learning from what you’ve already done.
📝 Review mistakes intentionallyDon’t just move on after solving a problem. Ask: Why did I get this wrong? What tripped me up? Write down patterns, and revisit them weekly.
🔁 Re-solve old problemsCome back to problems you struggled with after a few days. This cements learning and builds long-term retention — a better measure than one-time success.
📓 Maintain a reflection logKeep a journal or Notion page for weekly reflections. Track progress, confidence levels, and what needs more attention. This builds self-awareness and helps reduce anxiety as interviews approach.
💪 Confidence is built, not giftedReflecting on your growth helps you see how far you've come — especially when imposter syndrome shows up.
🧠 Final Thoughts
A structured plan is your compass in the chaos of interview prep. It:
- Manages overwhelm
- Tracks progress
- Builds confidence
- Helps you focus on what actually matters
You don’t have to be perfect — just consistent and intentional.
✅ Define your goals✅ Pick the right resources✅ Stick to a flexible routine✅ Track and adjust✅ Don’t ignore behavioral or system design prep
👥 Need Personalized Guidance?
Whether you’re switching industries, aiming for FAANG+, or leveling up your interview skills — you don’t have to do it alone.
Want help with:
- Study roadmap design?
- Mock interview feedback?
- Behavioral story review?
Let’s work together.
👉 Book a 1-on-1 mentorship session on MentorCruise →
We’ll build your strategy — and get you confidently interview-ready.