What are the best practices for acing a system architecture interview?

One thing I’ve run into is not letting 3rd party vendors start to dictate what the system is. Especially when you have multiple brands that make and share similar components. Scope always changes with stakeholders and they don’t understand systems, want to make decisions. Which is not healthy. Just some 2 cents I’ve gone through.

- Carefully listen to the problem statement and clarify any ambiguities. - Understanding the problem's context and constraints is crucial. - Identify key components such as users, system requirements, and scalability needs. This sets a solid foundation for your solution.

Being a system architect is like being a bridge builder. Understanding the problem (the river) is crucial to designing a system (the bridge) that works well. Without clarity on the problem: You may waste time building things the system doesn't need. The system might not be strong enough to handle the real workload. It could be too expensive or slow. By understanding the problem first: You build the right-sized system for the job. It's strong and efficient, handling its tasks smoothly. You save time and money by building only what's needed. So, understanding the problem is like having a map for your system design. It guides you straight to the best solution, avoiding costly detours and wasted time.

Like any other role, you are being hired to help the business succeed: whether making capacity for new business opportunities, reducing cost to run the existing business, etc. Knowing what high-level priorities the business has will help inform appetite for risk, and thus the most appropriate solution.

Always contextualize the problem within a real-world scenario, have continuous dialogue with the interviewer. Engaging in meaningful conversations is pivotal for a comprehensive grasp of the issue at hand. Interviewers consistently aim to steer you in the right direction, subtly dropping hints along the way. Therefore, it proves really helpful catch and interpret these cues. A continuous exchange not only aids in understanding the core of the problem but also showcases your ability to collaborate effectively and decipher subtle guidance

- Start by outlining a high-level architecture. Include major components like databases, servers, and APIs, and how they interact. - Use a whiteboard or paper to visualize your design, making it easier to explain and iterate upon.

1. Get your own thoughts straight: Like a messy brainstorm on paper, it lets you organize and connect ideas about the system's parts and how they work together. Seeing things visually can reveal gaps or flaws in your understanding. 2. Explain your idea to others: It's like showing someone a picture of your future sandcastle instead of just describing it with words. Even non-techy folks can grasp the main idea easily. 3. Try different things before committing: It's like drawing different sandcastle shapes in the sand before picking the final one. 4. Keep everyone on the same page: It's like having a shared sandcastle sketch for your friends to help build. Everyone sees the same plan and works together towards the same vision.

- Dive deeper into each component of your architecture. - Discuss how each part works, why you chose it, and how it fits into the overall system. - Address scalability, reliability, and security aspects. - Be prepared to suggest alternative designs or improvements.

Think of problem understanding as having the right ingredients for a cake. You wouldn't bake without knowing if it's a chocolate or carrot cake, right? Discussing the details is like mixing the ingredients. Talking it out clarifies how things connect, identifies missing pieces, and ensures everyone's on the same page. Without both, your cake might be a crumbly mess. With both, it's a delicious success! Hope that's simpler!

- Clearly and concisely articulate your thoughts. - Avoid jargon unless you're sure the interviewer understands it. - Listen actively to the interviewer's questions and feedback, and be open to discussing different perspectives or addressing concerns.

Think of it like this: You're a chef, and you have all the ingredients. But before you start cooking, you need to: Know what dish you're making (the problem): Is it a fancy cake or a quick sandwich? Discuss the recipe (the details): How many eggs? What spice level? Any allergies? Why is this important? Makes the meal better: Knowing the dish ensures you use the right ingredients and techniques. Avoids confusion: Discussing details prevents mistakes and keeps everyone on the same page. Faster cooking: A clear plan lets you work efficiently and finish the meal faster. So, discussing the details of your system architecture is like planning your culinary masterpiece. It helps you build something tasty and avoids a kitchen disaster!

- Brush up on fundamental concepts in system architecture, design patterns, and relevant technologies. - Practice common system design questions and review case studies of real-world systems to understand different approaches.

Preparation helps. Understanding the problem: Who's the guest of honor? (Is it a kid's bouncy castle bash or a sophisticated soiree?) How many people are coming? (Will it be an intimate gathering or a full-blown fiesta?) Discussing the details: ? Food and drinks: Burgers and fries or a gourmet buffet? Mocktails or mimosas? Activities: Bouncy castle and face painting or karaoke and dancing? Decorations: Colorful streamers and balloons or elegant floral arrangements? Just like planning a party, a system architect needs to understand the "who, what, why" before diving into the technical details. Discussing these crucial points helps ensure the system is built for the right purpose, within budget, and meets everyone's needs.

- After the interview, reflect on the feedback or notes you received. - Identify areas where you could improve. - Use this insight for future interviews to refine your approach and enhance your problem-solving skills.

Understanding the problem is like knowing where you're building sandcastles – on the beach, in the park, or on Mars? Different places need different castles! Discussing the details is like drawing a picture in the sand. It lets you: Plan your masterpiece: Figure out what towers, moats, and flags you want. Show everyone the vision: Share your idea and get feedback. Adapt and improve: Change things easily if you have a better idea. Stay on track: Keep everyone working towards the same sandcastle dream! Basically, it helps you build better systems, faster, and together!

It is crucial to conclude each interview with thoughtful questions. Inquire about the connection between the discussed topics and day-to-day responsibilities, understand the aspects of the job that appeal to the interviewee, explore the reasons for their commitment to the current workplace, and unravel intriguing problems they have encountered. These queries provide valuable insights into whether the job aligns with our expectations, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the role and its dynamics.

Ask questions to clarify requirement, don't assume. Firstly, focus on a small and workable solution, then worry about scalability . Mostly we are supposed to build a feature of an existing application, focus on that feature. We cannot build Twitter/Instagram in one hour :D

Every interview holds the potential to evolve into a valuable learning experience. While online learning typically involves passive absorption, interviews provide a unique opportunity for active engagement. Here, the emphasis is not just on listening but also on exploring aspects that may remain open-ended, delving into the 'why' behind choices made. Interviewers have the ability to probe deeper, offering a nuanced perspective on the same problem statement. This dynamic interaction grants a comprehensive understanding, providing an alternative viewpoint and enriching the learning process.