System design interviews are where the working skills meet the dreams of the architect. It's not about perfect code but developing complete extensive solutions that meet real-world complexities.
System design interviews teach more than just technical subjects for they are big windows into hypothesizing your construction for complex systems, how one presents technical trade-offs, and having solutions to quaint architectural challenges. These show interviewers the architect in you-the person who can really go beyond individual lines of codes and look at the larger technological landscape.
For example, you might be assigned to build a system that millions of active users will depend on, has huge inflows and outflows of data, yet remains highly responsive, stable, and reliable. Here, your real technical leadership comes shining through. It has less to do with knowing every last detail of the system than about asking whether that gets into whatever strategic consideration the candidate gives to system architecture.
The most effective system design answers tell a story. They walk through the thought process, explaining why the certain architectural decisions were made. Show how you balance performance, scalability, and cost. Demonstrate your ability to make intelligent trade-offs that solve real business problems.
Don't get bogged down in arcane aspects of technology. The best system designers can explain very complicated architectural problems with precision but accessibly. Show you understand the human side of technology-how systems affect their users, businesses, and the larger technology ecosystem.
On your approach, it should manifest a total view of technology, because you are not only designing the system, but building an adaptable and intelligent solution that can grow with the business.
System design interviews are where one gets to prove that they are not just coders but real technological strategists.