Interview coding skills are different from real world coding skills.

Yes, sorry I was not clear. The OP was correct in stating that sometimes one just need to get started, but it's hilarious that what one does in the real world is not something that is valued in an interview where one is expected to come up with a solution and iterate on it to have it fully optimized in 45 minutes.

I'm no Google, but I would hire someone who follows that methodology.

1. Make it work 2. Make it work fast 3. Make it work well

In that order.