How can you display your Systems Design skills across domains and contexts?

1 Choose relevant projects

The first step to display your systems design skills is to choose projects that are relevant to the domain and context you want to work in. For example, if you are applying for a job as a backend engineer for a social media platform, you might want to show how you designed a scalable, reliable, and secure system that can handle millions of users, posts, and interactions. If you are pitching a solution to a client who wants to improve their e-commerce website, you might want to show how you designed a system that can optimize performance, user experience, and conversion rates. Choose projects that demonstrate your ability to solve real-world problems with systems design principles and techniques.

2 Document your process

The second step to display your systems design skills is to document your process and explain your design decisions. This means not only showing the final outcome of your system, but also the steps you took to get there, the trade-offs you considered, the assumptions you made, and the feedback you received. You can use diagrams, charts, tables, code snippets, and other tools to illustrate your process and make it easy to follow. You can also use stories, scenarios, and use cases to show how your system works in different situations and how it meets the requirements and goals of the project.

3 Highlight your skills

The third step to display your systems design skills is to highlight your skills and knowledge in the domain and context of the project. This means showing that you are familiar with the tools, technologies, frameworks, standards, and best practices that are relevant to the system you designed. For example, if you designed a system for a social media platform, you might want to show that you know how to use APIs, databases, caching, messaging, security, and testing tools. If you designed a system for an e-commerce website, you might want to show that you know how to use web development, user interface, analytics, and SEO tools. Highlighting your skills shows that you are not only a good systems designer, but also a competent and versatile engineer.

4 Showcase your impact

The fourth step to display your systems design skills is to showcase your impact and value as a systems designer. This means showing how your system improved or solved the problem or challenge that the project was addressing. You can use metrics, data, feedback, testimonials, or other evidence to show the results and outcomes of your system. For example, if you designed a system for a social media platform, you might want to show how your system increased user engagement, retention, and satisfaction. If you designed a system for an e-commerce website, you might want to show how your system increased sales, revenue, and customer loyalty. Showcasing your impact shows that you are not only a good systems designer, but also a valuable and effective contributor.

5 Update your portfolio

The fifth step to display your systems design skills is to update your portfolio and make it accessible and attractive to potential employers or clients. This means creating a website, blog, or online platform where you can showcase your systems design projects and provide links, screenshots, videos, or demos of your system. You can also use platforms like GitHub, Behance, or Dribbble to share your code, design, or prototype of your system. You can also use platforms like LinkedIn, Medium, or YouTube to share your stories, insights, or tips on systems design. Updating your portfolio shows that you are not only a good systems designer, but also a proactive and passionate learner.

6 Network and learn

The sixth step to display your systems design skills is to network and learn from other systems designers and experts in the domain and context you want to work in. This means joining online or offline communities, forums, groups, or events where you can meet, connect, and exchange ideas with other systems designers. You can also follow, read, watch, or listen to blogs, podcasts, videos, or books by systems design experts and influencers. You can also participate in online or offline challenges, hackathons, or competitions where you can practice, improve, and showcase your systems design skills. Networking and learning shows that you are not only a good systems designer, but also a curious and collaborative learner.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?