newgrad_neil · 2 replies
i'm a 2025 grad applying to the SWE roles. i saw system design is part of the loop and i honestly don't know how much they scale expectations for new grads. do they actually do a full system design with a new grad or is it more of a light version? i have some distributed systems from class but i've never done it under interview pressure before. any advice would help, i'm a bit of a mess about this.
for new grads, the system design round is usually scoped down significantly. they're looking for structured thinking, not that you can design a distributed database from scratch. start with clarifying requirements, sketch out components, talk about tradeoffs. thinking out loud is more important than arriving at the 'right' answer. you won't be expected to know Kafka cold.
also this: they know you're a new grad. your resume says it. they hired you knowing that. the calibration is different. that doesn't mean coast, but it does mean you don't have to pretend you've designed a payments platform before.