Start with data structures and algorithms (arrays, strings, hash maps, trees, graphs), practice coding problems consistently, then add system design basics and behavioral answers using the STAR method. The step most candidates skip is mock interviews under real time pressure, and it is often the one that makes the biggest difference. Sanskriti offers 1:1 mock interview and interview prep sessions if you want a realistic practice run before the real thing.

Expect coding questions on arrays, strings, hash maps, trees, and recursion, along with time and space complexity analysis, a light system design or OOP design round, and behavioral questions like "tell me about a conflict on your team" or "a project that failed." Practicing your answers out loud matters as much as solving them on a whiteboard.

Business casual is the safe default — a neat shirt or blouse with chinos or slacks. Most tech companies are casual, so a full suit is rarely required. For video interviews, wear a solid color that contrasts with your background and check your lighting and camera angle beforehand. When in doubt, slightly overdressed beats underdressed.

The core rounds have not changed — coding, system design, and behavioral interviews are still standard — but companies increasingly pay attention to how comfortably you work with AI tools, and virtual or asynchronous screens are now common. Strong fundamentals plus clear communication are still what converts into an offer.

Most people need 6–12 weeks: roughly 4 weeks of coding practice, 2 weeks on system design and behavioral stories, and final weeks for mock interviews. Working full-time stretches that timeline, while students can move faster. One to two focused hours a day beats weekend cramming. Sanskriti's interview prep calls can help you build a week-by-week plan around your schedule.

As early as possible. Slots at many US embassies and consulates book out weeks or months in advance, especially during peak student visa season before fall intake. After paying the visa fee, book through the official appointment system for your location, and keep checking for earlier openings if the available date is late.

Log in to the same official appointment portal where you booked, cancel your existing slot, and pick a new date. Most US embassies and consulates allow only a limited number of free reschedules before you have to pay the fee again, so check the rules for your location and make changes well before your appointment rather than at the last minute.

It is a policy that lets certain visa applicants get their visa issued or renewed without attending an in-person interview, based on factors like visa type, age, and prior visa history and compliance. Eligibility rules change frequently and vary by embassy, so always confirm the current requirements for your location. If you do have to interview, preparation decides the outcome — that is exactly what Sanskriti's US visa interview preparation session covers.

A mix of high application volume, seasonal peaks (summer and the months before the academic year starts), consular staffing levels, and per-location limits. You cannot skip the queue, but booking early, watching for earlier cancellation slots, and arriving with complete documents so you never need a repeat visit all help.

Be ready for questions about why you are going to the US, how you are funding your trip or studies, your ties to your home country, and your plans after your visa ends. Keep answers short, honest, and consistent with your documents, and practice saying them out loud. Sanskriti, who moved from Nepal to the US as an international student, runs a dedicated US visa interview prep session for exactly this.

Learn the exam's core domains — cloud concepts, core AWS services like EC2 and S3, security, and billing — using free AWS training content, then take several practice exams before booking the test. Cloud Practitioner is deliberately the entry-level certification with no prerequisites, and most beginners can get ready in 4–6 weeks of steady study.

In the US, exams cost roughly $100 at the foundational level (like Cloud Practitioner), $150 at associate level, and $300 at professional level, with retakes charged at full price. Practice exams and courses cost extra, though plenty of free study material exists, so budget for one or two practice exam sets on top of the exam fee.

A common path is Cloud Practitioner first to build fundamentals, then an associate certification based on your goal — Solutions Architect Associate for cloud roles or Developer Associate for coding-focused roles — followed by professional or specialty certifications once you have hands-on experience. Choose based on the job you want, not just the order of the list.

On an F-1 visa you can work on campus with limited hours during the semester, take internships through CPT when they are part of your curriculum, work for up to 12 months after graduation on OPT (plus 24 extra months for STEM degrees), and apply for assistantships — RA or TA roles — that pay a stipend and often reduce tuition. Sanskriti funded her own studies this way after moving from Nepal, and she shares the exact playbook in her Work and Study in the USA sessions.

Lead with projects instead of job history — two or three solid projects with GitHub links, described with quantified impact like "reduced load time by 40%," plus hackathons, open-source contributions, or TA work. Mirror the keywords from each job description so it passes ATS screening, keep it to one page, and get it reviewed before you start applying. Sanskriti offers 1:1 resume reviews and the exact resume templates that got her interviews at FAANG.