FAANG System Design Interviews in a Nutshell

Posted on August 04, 2023 in guide

System design interviews are a type of technical interview that is often used by FAANG companies to assess the skills of software engineers. In a system design interview, you will be asked to design a system from scratch. This could be a web application, a distributed system, or a database.

The goal of a system design interview is to assess your ability to:

  • Understand the requirements of a system
  • Design a system that meets those requirements
  • Consider the scalability, performance, and availability of a system
  • Communicate your design effectively

System design interviews can be challenging, but they are also a great way to learn about system design and to demonstrate your skills to potential employers.

What to expect in a FAANG system design interview

A FAANG system design interview will typically start with a brief discussion of the requirements for the system. The interviewer will then ask you to design the system. You will be asked to answer questions about the system's architecture, components, and how it will be scaled. You may also be asked to discuss the system's performance and availability.

The interviewer will be looking for your ability to think critically and to solve problems. They will also be looking for your ability to communicate your design effectively.

How to prepare for a FAANG system design interview

There are a few things you can do to prepare for a FAANG system design interview:

  • Practice designing systems. There are a number of resources available online that can help you practice designing systems. You can also find practice questions on websites like LeetCode.
  • Learn about system design principles. There are a number of system design principles that you should be familiar with. These principles include scalability, performance, availability, and security.
  • Be able to communicate your design effectively. The interviewer will be looking for your ability to communicate your design effectively. You should be able to explain your design in a way that is clear and concise.

Conclusion

System design interviews can be challenging, but they are also a great way to learn about system design and to demonstrate your skills to potential employers. If you are interested in working at a FAANG company, you should start preparing for system design interviews as soon as possible.

Here are some additional tips for preparing for a FAANG system design interview:

  • Read up on the company's products and services. This will give you a better understanding of the types of systems that the company works on.
  • Research the system design principles that are used by the company. This will help you to design systems that meet the company's standards.
  • Practice your communication skills. The interviewer will be looking for your ability to communicate your design effectively. You should practice explaining your design in a way that is clear and concise.