GeneralTable-stakes
LeetCode
Also written as HackerRank, Coding Challenge
The dominant platform for practicing the algorithmic coding problems used in technical interviews — 'LeetCode-style' has become shorthand for that entire interview format, distinct from a role's actual day-to-day work.
Think of it like
Like a driving test's parallel-parking maneuver — a real, practiced skill, but not the same thing as being good in daily traffic.
Junior or senior?
Junior sounds like
Treats LeetCode grinding as equivalent to production experience.
Senior sounds like
Can describe real production work distinct from interview prep, and puts LeetCode practice in its proper context.
Ask them
“How much of your recent technical prep was LeetCode-style practice versus work on real production code?”