System Design Interviews are a SCAM
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ส.ค. 2024
- System Design Interview is an integral part of Software Engineer interviews and it takes a lot of time to prepare for System Design Interview questions. While there are people like Gaurav Sen who are doing a good job at teaching System Design concepts, I believe System Design Interviews are fundamentally broken. In this video, I'll explain Why.
Resources I talk about in this video:
1. Grokking the system interview: www.educative....
2. Codekarle: / codekarle
NOTE: We are not paid by any of the above. Subscribe to our channel if you want to support us.
#systemdesign #systemdesigninterview #grokkingthesystemdesign
Tech interview preparation has turned into a business on its own.
Most people who have worked an year in tech, teach about system design and so on. You probably could not even be a good contributor in a year.
I just came across your video after being demotivated after recently failing a few system design interviews even though I was thoroughly prepared.
One common element in all these interviews was that whenever I brought up a constraint/bottleneck that could be resolved to improve a system, the interviewers always used to steer away from those concerns. "Let's assume that doesn't happen" or "let's ignore that case" was the most frequent response. It felt as if they had one and only one solution in mind out of the countless possible scaling concerns to be resolved in such complex systems.
I had a very similar experience. Thanks for sharing.
One of my colleague who interviews candidates and asks system design questions has the same mindset, and he has only one solution in his mind and just rejects candidates if they offer a different solution or any other concerns about the system.
I've argued with him a lot, but it was a waste of time. And at the end I just told myself "this is not your company, why you bother yourself"
Exactly my experience. Thanks for sharing!
I failed a system design interview recently. It seems that I did not say the right phrases the interviewer was looking for.
To me, this "System Design Interview" is so foreign, as you don't study to become a "System Designer". It is a skill you earn by starting small and getting practical experience at a company-
On point. You cannot come up with a solution in an hour what the top of the engineers came in 15 years.
Plus, it tends to be very biased.
On the few system design interviews i atteneded, they evaluate more how much you align with the point of view of the interviewer rather than if you think logically and can do something in a given set of constraints.
If you are used to doing something 1 way and the interviewer another way.. well though luck, you will fail 80% of the time.
Met only 1 person willing to actually discuss alternative solutions during the interview and to actually understand why you chose some other options...
@@voidspirit111 Yes. Most companies are only looking for what they are want in you and that you align with their company and view of looking at things - not that you can come with something new. But that is seen as normal in a mature system. But why do you only want to be a maintainer?
My man spitting straight FACTS. It always seemed weird to ask mid level people this stuff. This isn't going to be in their job description. Unless you're an architect or are joining a startup with like 1-10 people
The problem is that the more these things people push , it becomes a tradition and for me like a mid level developer its a horrific night to grasp these all things and get prepared for interview, which i may not even use in my daily life.
you're joking right? you have to do basic system design as like a new grad at larger tech companies
OMG, thats so true, agree with the startup part
@@abrarisme not true at all. I worked at microsoft as a new grad and there was no system designing at all. Maybe you did, but most of my friends who worked at FAANG as new grads never did system design at work until much later on.
I recently started viewing system design videos and found out that most people are getting away with same system deign with minimal changes for a variety of problems, using jargons and common keywords.
I always feel aystem design should start with little budget and then gradually scaling it up, you dont need big guns for small apps.
Amazing video tbh.
Agree with the points.
Although they talk about there is no right solution and it would be an open discussion, many scenarios it is just the opposite. Interviewer is too narrowed to his own approach, have set things on topics around which the answers are expected. Another thing that they do no understand is they come prepared with the question or the problem might be coming from their work which is in works from months and they need a perfect solution within a short time
Yes, you are absolutely correct. These system design interviews are complete waste of time. Even for senior developers don’t get the opportunity to develop such systems, those decisions are taken by architects. Also, in a small or medium scale never going to develop such systems. It’s waste of time both interviewer and interviewee.
I just started preparing system design and i got this recommendation thank you ☺️
Thanks Maharshi!
Same
You have touched the biggest pain point, and would like to highlight again. Most of the interviewers come with a prepared mind set, and that's the biggest reason to of downfall of this round
Let's be honest: Companies know that hiring is broken and years ago invested in answers to this problem. For example, Microsoft published a white paper after researching this topic on how to avoid hiring anti-patterns years ago. Most teams didn't adapt and the white paper had almost no effect. Why? In my opinion, it's because the set of people that make it to the interview stage are all qualified and they want a system that allows for them to openly discriminate and not be sued. They know the technical, at it's best, results in random results and they like it this way. I have been involved in hiring at major FANG and small start up companies (as a senior engineer) and when a minority or someone they don't want hired comes in you can see the difference. The technical is harder or the "no cultural fit" excuse can be used at any time for any reason. Companies also like this approach because they can always pick the candidate that is willing to work for lower pay. Not all companies do this some care. The key I found is to not waste your time and bail if the conversation isn't a pleasant one throughout the process. I even got a job once by declining the tech interview altogether (I wouldn't recommend this though).
Good to hear what you bring up here. A system is designed with assumptions and improved through observations and iterations. Moreover, a system's behaviour is likely to change over time ( _emergent properties_ ). Hardly, if ever, such points are discussed.
I have asked a number of many so-called System Design Experts: would you have built WhatsApp using Erlang, if you were the first to build it and if yes, why! I am yet to hear anything convincing.
I cannot agree more with you on this subject . You make a lot of sense . The whole thing boils down to those brief “elevator conversations “.. although I have done ‘well” on the system design interviews , I walk away every time wondering why this thing is even part of the process .
I feel the same after every interview.
What do you think should be used instead? What would be a better way to evaluate candidates?
@@TremendousSax Give a real problem that you solved/are solving in your organization. See, if the candidate can come up with a viable solution. It's more like, look for another colleague who is similar to the other colleagues you are working with. None of us is going to create another Netflix or Uber at work place.
Man, I was always so confused why people in those mock interviews make capacity estimations when they dont even once take them into account for the actual design
Good to know I'm not the only one who thinks this is nonsense
Maybe it sometimes makes sense when you have to decide whether to optimize for e.g. reads or writes?
Exactly. Inrerviewers ask to design uber, while uber itself took years with hundreds and thousands of engineers to arrive at its current solution. System design interviews are farce.
Most of the system design gurus have little experience doing any system design practically. They pick bits and pieces and spend 30 minutes describe it. For example, Gaurav Sen... barely a software engineer having less than 5 years of experience is giving lectures about system design... In India, due to competition scammers make good money doing this kinda things.. I think the mindset of the Indians need to change from "job grabbing" to "mastering skills" so that you don't need mock interviews, but just thorough knowledge of problems and solutions which you can use for any interveiw
How much experience do you have ?
@@thegreatestbeing 12 years and have thorough knowledge of all aspects of system designing.
Aha I am just 26 have 16+ years of experience
@@thegreatestbeing I am sorry "hello world" apps and campus projects not counted lol
Hahahahahahahahaha don’t feel insulted !
Yes, you are right I got only one system design interview question on 3 years of experience. I was expecting some coding questions and technical domain related. this has become the trend now.
I take system design interviews of engineers who have 4 or more years of experience.
For FE devs most of my questions are around the architecture of app, best practices and apis requirements.
For BE Dev most of my questions are around database design, apis, scalability of apps, distribution of data, security measures, migration strategies, versioning, actions and whatnot.
Never ever about designing a news feed crap.
I have 1 year of full time experience and I got "Design Dropbox" In system design interview.
Great video, hitting some hard truths. My perspective is that all tech interviews are a form of shared understanding test. DSA interviews force you to grok known patterns in popular data structures and algorithms. Similarly system design interviews force you to grok popular patterns used in web scale companies. The more fluent a candidate in these, the better fit they are to the organization. So instead of building knowledge, effective communication of your knowledge is more important in tech interviews.
You are wrong and defending system design interviews. You didn't understand this video
Your videos are really to the point and very informative. 🙂
Thanks very much!
This has been an eye opener for me. Thanks a ton!
amazing, you said everything I want to say about system design question. It is a scam, (even) much worse the leetcode questions
Thanks Cheng!
Company named AutoDesk ask me to design WhatsApp like System Design in 40 mins. I was REJECTED...!!!
🎉
Every video I learn and you help me designing my way this channel is great and soon I ‘ll see a million of subscribers thanks & Big like
Thanks very much for your support ❤️
Here are some facts (as an engineer, interviewer and interviewee): System Design interviews are crucial for senior positions (3years or more experience) to know the candidates overall knowledge and teamwork skills. I have not experienced any interviews where the Interviewer want a specific answer from me (I have given interviews to dozens of companies). And when I take interviews I never go with a prepared answer, I just have to know enough when the candidate is talking BS or Buzz words or any Jargons that's not related to question. Sometimes I get to teach my interviewers new tech when they interview me and they get really impressed and same for me where I also learned a lot new things from interviewing candidates. And in 45mins no one can design perfect system, but it can help us to think quickly and develop a MVP of an idea. If any interviewer behaves like you mentioned in the video (explicit answer expectation, not flexible with new ideas/solutions) these companies are not good to work then.
So, I could not explain Newton’s theory of gravity in 30mins since it took Newton much longer?
I really like ur video, bcos u go straight to the point without wasting time, thanks for ur awesome content.
If u don't mind
I have a question
It is about
What a software developer does and the difference between front and back end web development
Pls 🙏 can u answer it with a video
Namasthe
Hey! I'll make a video on it.
@@sahilandsarra thank u 🙏
Finally some one said the facts straight. In India, its a bit more than normal performance. Interviewers come up with a solution in mind and if you say something else, you are out. Its basically like a dance choreography, you need to make the same move as the interviewer, else his/her ego gets hurt and you are out.
One legend who is supposedly "senior architect" from Servicenow once said, CDN is a magic, hence we cannot use it 🤕When did software engineers start using black magics in code. Why are there solutions available in market in that case, lets use legacy technology and re-invent the wheel? Sick of these now.
Appreciable amazing and useful information you delivered. This is the reason that I start waiting for the next video in the very beginning
Thanks ❤️❤️
Finally someone's spoken my heart out. I always felt this deep in my heart... Always. But I tended to make myself understand that I might be wrong about it. Thanks to this guy for validating that my feelings were and are right about this damn system design.
Jab company me gye to pata chala jisne system design ka interview liya, complex questions pooche, khoob gyaan pela, wo ek User API ke bug ko 1 maheene se fix kr rha hai and sprint by sprint carry forward kiye jaa rha... lodu...
I always feel that, a good way to evaluate is, bring up a real problem that you solved/are solving in your organization. See, if the candidate can come up with a viable solution. There is no harm in taking it up as a casual discussion rather than an interrogation. It's more like, look for another colleague who is similar to the other colleagues you are working with. None of us is going to create another Netflix or Uber at work place.
companies like scaler, interviewbit, etc has made a business out of our fear.
Your videos are very helpful and informative 👍 could you please share what Amazon and Google expect in development (interview) phase? Do we need to add the algorithm or test data preparation term to that while describing the code flow?
I'll try to cover it in the coming videos.
@@sahilandsarra Thanks :)
Thank you for the input. It helps me to prepare for the system design interview very much.
yea I feel so bad when interviewee does an estimation of traffic and latency, and even write that down, but it was not relavent to their design at all.
The way you explain is awesome. Its really helpful man. thank you 👏👏
You know it’s a scam I know it’s a scam but the interviewer doesn’t know
"I only got to know about the log file at the 40 minute mark"
That sounds like a story worth hearing.
ok but what's that hair style?
I worked for FAANGM and simimar , cracked AAGM in most interviews I have seen people asking known questions right answer is what interviewer knows I shadowed interviewers too . I took interviews as well, lot of times I know solution but if a candidate comes with really different approach that they can justify it that's good I get to learn but that rarely happens. I agree it's a scam
Bro, here, have these FULL-STOPS and COMMAS. Always for the needy .........,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Educational illustration and guide to compete interview to become a software engineer thanks for good guidance and sharing your experience
Thanks very much ❤️❤️
Man why don't you look happy it seems like your girlfriend is forcing you to be in this TH-cam video please widen your eyes . because you don't feel interested then why should I but the information that you give is on point and amazing.
Just feel like telling you
Thanks for your feedback!
actually I like the way he is..it is his MSP.
Bro as long as he is staring at the viewer, he’s good. No need to change your eyes man.
Spot on. Nothing more to be said. Subjective objectivity is the name of the game.
Thank you for saying it out loud!
It is an interview to see the candidate is able to recollect and join to fit the requirements, no need to give the correct answer....
Where do u get the illustrative videos in between from?..
bhai sb theek hai bs ye haircut pe dubara thinking krne ki jarurt hai
i give up. i quit this industry. quitting my job tomorrow to go work at a grocery store.
Which gel are you using in your hair bro
Interviews are not conducted to test System Design Skills , rather it is how much you know , the concepts and how you are coming to the conclusion . That act as a filter . And we should know the high level of thinking about the overall system . No where in my career I actually did something like 'container with most water' but again it checks whether we understand the problem and how we are solving the problem . The SCAM word actually bring me here . People are working day and nights for learning System Design . Believe me if you recruit a simple guy in big tech like amazon, meta (without sys design or complex DS ) , he will even survive or become productive , but to get an entry we need to learn . An IAS don't much do about the subject he chose to clear interview , so can we say that's a scam too ? What I actually think is - Interviews are conducted to reject the candidate :)
System design interviews and even coding interviews are mostly answering 1.Is the person technically totally out to lunch 2. Does the person have great communication/ listening/colaboration skills AKA smart.
Bro are u from India and working in US?
Yes.
Make detailed road map on how to become a full stack developer it would be very useful :)
Will try to cover it in coming videos. Thanks 🙏
A lot of my recent system design interviews are, "design this thing i just spent 9 months building, but do it in 45 mins only ..."
System design interview is a way to test your knowledge and thinking process.
And regarding square, I would never do a take home assignment, its a criminal waste of time.
I'm here just after system design interview, where I was asked to design parking lot system. I presented the REST API endpoints and json thats it, I couldnt understand what else he wanted. I am 100% agree with the fact that SD interviews are SCAM. It is almost impossible understand what interviewer wants as an answer.
I'm not lying, but I have designed more than 10 systems that are reliable, scalable and serves their purpose. But giving an arbitray problem and asking me to think the way interviewer think is a completely unethical. Few employers asked me to design Uber and bit ly and I nailed both of them fully, It took me 3-4 days to design these systems. But the end result was very appealing. The person who reviewed my uber design, was impressed by my choice of database and appreciated the design patterns and rest api endpoints I used. These companies should understand this. If they are really willing to understand how I design systems, let them spend a day with me. I will design anything, fully functional for them, on live screen share.
I was asked to design the elevator system for a summer intern role at Intuit, and I got rejected! 🙂
its vaguely similar to DSA. you solved the problem in o(n) but interviewer expects o(n/2) LOL.
Thanks bro you are really a great way to explain.
Thanks Nikhil!
This is the most real video on system design interviews.
This is a greaaaaaat video! Thank you for the tips! :)
Sir, I need to know which language.I should start to learn program.and how to learn program. Actually i don't no how to do program
I've talked about it in other videos on the channel
When they say like button. like button of this video highlights 😮1:20
Whatever it may be you need to get your hair-do right for sure. Trust me it looks baadd
Pineapple cut 🍍😂
@@viraj_singh : 😂😅
this guy is a gem
Sir, do I have two questions? What should math be like to learn data structureand algorithm
what mathematics should be like for Google Inc . etc . Work
please i need answer you
I'll cover it in coming videos
Sir do i need graduation for google, Amazon etc? I have completed my 12th last year, due to family issues I left my graduation.
Ho jaega tension mat lo
@@opinion791 Thanks a lot sir. This words of urs making me more strong to go through what I m suffering
Well, the job postings just say relevant degree or equivalent experience. That's the criteria.
Graduation doesn't hurt see if you can complete if you get a chance.. it increases your chance of getting hired
Let me tell you reality.
Ask me
this is actually great advice.
Can u make a Video on the Fastest way to becoming a ML Engineer pls ?
That's not really true it really depends on the CTO and the team leaders in the company, in my company we have a strict rule, nothing gets implemented out of thin air,. every single epic, feature, story has to have a system design diagram and only if it makes sense then it's written out.
Might look more time consuming, but if one tries it, it's actually easier to write the code because you don't get stuck with obsolete stuff, you already have the layout and can clearly adapt a clean architecture around the solution. It also allows to spot flaws with the general concept and break down the code to an easier to maintain code base.
I do think it's an important part of the job, BUT if you require system design interview, then that's the one and only system design one does at that job...then you probably should do it.
4:11
David White - ❌
David {insert any other color} - ✅
Please make a video
about how to reach on interview process.
Will do. Thanks for the suggestion
ok they might be a scam but can you please explain the same to the person taking these interviews instead of talking about it on TH-cam. I think that will be better
3:55
This is the greatest software engineer I've ever seen in my life. She's coding without even touching her keyboard. Amazing.
😅😂😃
😂🤣🤣
😂😂😂😂😂. I’m literally crying laughing right now.
Video on How to get a remote job and on leetcode plzz
Will do. Thanks for suggestions!
OMG!! The exact thing I wanted to know from someone who has worked in FAANG. Thanks a lot for sharing these facts😊
Comparing apple and orange.
Even the whiteboard interviews are scam
You had me at Oscar-worthy Performance 😂😂😂
Glad someone said that.
You are 100% right and I have always has this thought
Cool. So let's collectively agree that System Design Interviews are BS and not ask them anymore.
Is that a mohawk?
Very informative video💙💙😍
Thanks Rafiul!
Why are you so honest? 😀
Please accept my apologies, sir 😀
Please share your LinkedIn credentials
i was given 15 minutes for a system design interview in a faang company, imagine that (yeah, they told me you have 15 minutes) lmao
Unfortunately, I was not able to crack this system design interviews in most of the companies.
I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully, you'll crack them next time. Good luck!
Golden words!
I always fail in system design interview. I failed in AMAZON, WALMART, GROUPON, Vmware and endless interview on system design.
The interview expect I need to know in and out complex distributed system.
When I told this is what Martin Kleppmann tells about CAP therom. The interview told, that is not pratical. I didnt know what to tell.
Sir how can I learn machine learning what is the use
I'll try to cover it in the the upcoming videos.
you know what a scam is, right?
"It took a long time to design and implement the concept of a News Feed"
well, aren't you just being filtered for not knowing P likely != NP?
Zero lies detected.
Bro spit sp much faxx i had to follow him from now
I have run out of your videos to watch
Hopefully, I'll have some more for you soon.
Thanks a lot.
Thanks!
So true!
Hii Sir, I'm a Mechanical Engineering graduate 2021 batch I would like to learn coding. Please suggest me one programming language which has high scope in future or is that ok to learn both java nd python
Hey! I've a video on this on my channel. Please check it out.
Plz make a video, roadmap to software engineer, product engineer without cs degree i mean zero - hero
Plz sir plz sir.... Roadmap.. plz
Will try. Thanks for the suggestion
Awesome 100% agree with u. SCAM