“It’s not about whether you can code — it’s about how clearly you think under pressure.”
— LinkedIn Interviewer

💻 Question 1: Maximum Subarray Sum (Kadane’s Algorithm)

Prompt:
Given an array of integers (which may include both positive and negative numbers),
return the maximum sum of any contiguous subarray.

Example Input:
list = [1, 2, -4, 1, 3, -2, 3, -1]

Expected Output:
5

Explanation:
The maximum contiguous subarray sum comes from [1, 3, -2, 3],
whose sum equals 5.

💡 Thought Process

This is a classic dynamic programming question, but the real test at LinkedIn wasn’t about writing code — it was about reasoning out loud, handling pressure, and communicating your logic clearly.

During the CSOAHelp real-time coaching session, the candidate was trained to follow a three-sentence strategy that simplifies Kadane’s algorithm:

1. Track the running sum:
   currentSum = max(currentNum, currentSum + currentNum)
2. Maintain a global maximum:
   maxSum = max(maxSum, currentSum)
3. If the running sum goes negative, reset — it no longer contributes to future subarrays.

Time Complexity: O(n)
Space Complexity: O(1)

The interviewer then asked:

“Why do we reset when the sum drops below zero?”

The candidate replied confidently:

“Because at that point, it can’t help any future subarray — it only makes them smaller.”

That one line demonstrated intuition and clarity, immediately earning positive feedback.

⚙️ Follow-Up Question: Maximum Product Subarray

Prompt:
Given an integer array nums, find the contiguous subarray (containing at least one number) which has the largest product.

Example:

Input: [1, 2, -4, 1, 3, -2, 3, -1]
Output: 144

This follow-up question adds a subtle twist — negative numbers can flip signs, turning a small value into a large one or vice versa.

The candidate, coached by CSOAHelp, immediately recognized the key insight:
track both the maximum and minimum product so far, and swap them when a negative number appears.

The logic looked like this:

maxProd = minProd = nums[0]
for n in nums[1:]:
    if n < 0:
        maxProd, minProd = minProd, maxProd
    maxProd = max(n, n * maxProd)
    minProd = min(n, n * minProd)

The candidate also extended the discussion to streaming data, explaining how to compute this online using constant memory — a bonus that impressed the interviewer.

💬 Interview Flow and Feedback

During the live interview, the LinkedIn backend engineer asked:

“If this were part of a large-scale analytics service, how would you handle streaming updates?”

Thanks to CSOAHelp’s prior mock sessions, the candidate was ready.
He explained how Kadane’s algorithm can be adapted for incremental updates, processing each incoming data point in O(1) time without reprocessing the entire array.

The interviewer’s reaction was immediate:

“That’s an excellent observation — it shows you’re thinking about scalability.”

🎯 What Made This Interview a Success

This wasn’t about memorizing Kadane’s algorithm — it was about showing clarity, composure, and structured reasoning.
Under CSOAHelp’s real-time guidance, the candidate learned to:

• Break down problems into structured logic (state, transition, base case).
• Verbally communicate each reasoning step while coding.
• Anticipate follow-up questions and extend ideas beyond the prompt.
• Stay calm under time pressure through structured rehearsal.

By the end, the interviewer complimented the candidate’s clean logic, organized communication, and engineering maturity — the three traits LinkedIn consistently rewards.

🧠 How CSOAHelp Makes the Difference

At CSOAHelp, we don’t just help you “solve” the problem — we train you to think and explain like a top-tier engineer.
Our real-time interview assistance gives you:

• 🧭 Instant guidance when you’re stuck on logic.
• 💬 Real-time communication feedback for technical clarity.
• 💡 Frameworks to answer system design or follow-up variants.
• ⚙️ Rehearsal sessions based on real FAANG interview patterns.

It’s not tutoring — it’s live co-navigation through your thought process.

💼 Final Takeaway

The LinkedIn dynamic array question might look simple on paper,
but it’s a real test of whether you can turn reasoning into performance.

With CSOAHelp.com, you don’t walk into the interview alone —
you walk in with structured thinking, clear articulation, and the confidence of real-time preparation.

👉 Visit CSOAHelp.com to learn more.
Every mock, every live coding session, every simulation is one step closer to your dream offer.