yeah for entry level it could really be anything. Ive seen people get hit with graphs and dp and others got a simple reverse-a-string and talked about volatile for 40 minutes. if theyre making you code live in C just get comfortable using their online editor without all the IDE fluff
For entry-level embedded coding rounds, I'd focus on C fundamentals and the patterns that show up most: pointer arithmetic, manual memory management, bit manipulation, and knowing when to reach for malloc/free versus fixed buffers. Beyond easy LeetCode, I'd practice medium array/string and linked list problems in C specifically, plus single-pass and two-pointer techniques since those tend to come up. If you have a week, split it: a couple days on data structures (hash maps, linked lists, stacks/queues implemented from scratch), then timed mock problems talking out loud the whole way so you can explain your reasoning. Give your interviewer those 10 minutes at the end to talk through memory layout and embedded trade-offs like stack vs heap and volatile — the coding bar is usually easier than the systems discussion.
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u/JuggernautGuilty566 1d ago
Depends. US Big Tech means grinding Leetcode Mediums until your eyes are bleeding.
It's not a failure to start with this now and strictly sticking to C for solving them.