August 31, 2020 Google Interviews Topcoder – 10 Burning Questions
What started as a fun post in our Topcoder Nation Facebook group, became a serious discussion topic in our HQs. There are no silly questions about how we operate at Topcoder.
When you type “Topcoder” in a Google search, it returns a bunch of burning, essential questions that I think are the most common concerns our community members have when starting their career at Topcoder.
It is our utmost duty to provide clarity to this process and facilitate information and tools so people enjoy a delightful experience during their journey.
Despite having this information in our website, we are honored to count on specialized talent, community members, admins, and this humble servant, to give insight to their curated wisdom; years of experience and knowledge.
I remember when I joined Topcoder I spent about a month experimenting, getting to know my way in the community, learning how I could use my skill set in the best way and finding out how to profit from the payment benefits. I wish I had this information when I started.
Without further ado, let’s hear what the experts have to say about those burning questions.
1. HOW DOES TOPCODER WORK?
DaraK |Topcoder MVP and Copilot
Topcoder is the place that helps you build a rocket without you having to worry about anything. You just deliver the requirements: where you wanna send your rocket, who’s the audience, how will you use it, how many aliens will it bring back to Earth, etc. and Topcoder does all the magic in the shortest time possible. Guess why?! Because it has the most talented and passionate people in the world.
2. HOW DO YOU BECOME A TOPCODER?
Thomas Kranitsas | Topcoder MVP and Copilot
Topcoder means the best of the best and there’s only one way to become one. Never give up and focus on learning! How much you learn will define how much you earn. Consider every loss an opportunity to become better. Make sure to watch our documentary as well to see how some of the best from our community did it.
3. HOW DO I GET STARTED WITH TOPCODER?
mahestro | Topcoder Nation Lurker
Arm yourself with confidence, aim to have fun and learn instead of obsessing with making money fast. Jump right into the challenges page and see what calls your attention.
This video will help.
4. HOW DO I USE THE TOPCODER ARENA?
Rash Sial | Delivery
I am happy to answer any questions around using the Topcoder Arena.
A great way to familiarize yourself with the arena is to download/install it (instructions here).
Make sure to also check out the FAQ:
https://community.topcoder.com/tc?module=Static&d1=help&d2=getStarted&fbclid=IwAR0TFXffkM__hMltnumUYWvrmtX1-5SsKiPID2EX0zrRX16NlqahES9tTHA
5. HOW DOES TOPCODER PAY?
mahestro | Topcoder Nation Lurker
Once you earn money, it is available to be cashed out fifteen days after the closure of the challenge or task you’re being paid for. There are three options to cash out:
- Payoneer.
- PayPal.
- Western Union wire transfer.
6. HOW DO I MAKE MONEY ON TOPCODER?
Dr Sergey Pogodin | Topcoder MVP and Copilot
- Pick up a challenge.
- Do the ask.
- Repeat.
7. HOW DO I SOLVE PROBLEMS ON TOPCODER?
Harshit Mehta | Sr. Community Evangelist
Because we have had questions based on how to compete in algorithm competitions I will answer how, as a new learner, I would practice and solve problems.
I would start by first looking into the problem archive and then picking up a problem I would like to solve on the basis of difficulty and topic. Problem Archive has more than 5000+ problems so you will have to use the filters to choose the problem.
Later, I would pick one of the two arena options we have from here:
topcoder.com/community/compete
1) Web Arena
2) Java Applet
Open the problem in the practice rooms and submit!
You can also look at other members’ solutions and try to understand. A simple search using the problem name in thrive (topcoder.com/thrive) will fetch you the “editorial” of that problem too.
8. HOW DO I GET A TOPCODER T-SHIRT?
Shirts are ready to win during certain challenges, social media contests, and other giveaways that happen. Be vigilant, engage with us, and you’ll definitely win one!
9. HOW DO I USE TOPCODER FOR COMPETITIVE PROGRAMMING?
Erinn Kirchner | Competitive Programming Admin
A good place to start for how to use Topcoder for competitive programming is here:
https://www.topcoder.com/community/competitive-programming/how-to-compete
One big thing worth adding to that. Once you have an account, before actually competing in a live contest, spend some time in the practice rooms to get a feel for how it works to look at a problem statement, write code, submit it, run tests, etc. You don’t want to be figuring that stuff out on the fly during a contest for the first time.
10. HOW DO I COMPETE IN TOPCODER?
Nick Castillo | Community Team Member
First off, you should check out our Challenge Listings page. This page contains all of our active challenges and is easily filterable to find the one that is exactly what you are looking for! Each challenge is different, but is explained in the educational section of our website, Thrive. Here are a few:
How to Compete in SRM Matches
How to Compete in Bug Hunts
How to Compete in Design
How to Compete in Development
TOPCODER NATION
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mahestro
Guest Blogger
