How to factor polynomials by hand?

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Is there a good approach for factoring polynomials by hand (e.g. if you're in an interview situation without access to a computer)?

For example $1−4z+5z^2−2z^3$?

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If you're asked to factor a cubic function by hand, you can be fairly sure there is a rational root. In this case, there are only $4$ options to check $(\pm1, \pm2)$. See rational roots theorem if this is alien.

And once you have a quadratic, you should be able to take it from there.