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Full Stack Developer interview questionsSystem Design Interview round
A 60 min interview plan with a time-boxed script, what each question is for, and the signals to score against. Key skills: System Design, Architecture, Scalability, Microservices, Cloud Deployment.
System Design Challenge
What this section is for
Purpose
Evaluate technical knowledge and problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios related to system design, architecture, scalability, microservices, and cloud deployment.
Design a scalable web application for a social media platform that supports user profiles, posts, and a news feed. Consider aspects such as architecture, data storage, and API design.
What this question is for, and what to listen for
Purpose
Assess the candidate's ability to design a scalable system, choose appropriate technologies, and explain their design decisions.
Signals to score
- Clear understanding of requirements
- Logical and structured approach
- Considers scalability and performance
- Chooses appropriate technologies
- Explains thought process clearly
- Considers data storage and retrieval
- Designs efficient APIs
- Addresses potential bottlenecks
Follow-up questions
- How would you ensure the system scales with increasing users?
- What database would you choose and why?
- How would you design the API endpoints?
- Can you explain your choice of architecture?
If you had more time, what would you change in your design?
What this question is for, and what to listen for
Purpose
Assess the candidate's ability to reflect on their work, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Signals to score
- Recognizes limits in their original design
- Points out clear areas to improve
- Suggests specific changes
- Talks about how changes could help performance
- Shares ideas clearly and logically
- Shows a desire to learn and improve
Follow-up questions
- What additional features would you consider adding?
- How would you improve the system's performance?
- Are there any potential security concerns you would address?
Great job on the system design challenge!
What this section is for
Purpose
Provides positive reinforcement to the candidate, helping to build confidence and create a supportive atmosphere before moving into the final part of the interview.
Closing
What this section is for
Purpose
Thanks the candidate for their time, provides next steps, and leaves a positive final impression.
Do you have any questions for me about the team or the company?
What this question is for, and what to listen for
Purpose
Gauge the candidate’s curiosity and interest in the role.
Signals to score
- Thoughtful questions asked
- Interest in company culture
- Curiosity about growth expressed
- Questions about role raised
- Inquiries about team challenges
- Engagement with responses shown
- Desire to learn next steps
- Focus on company values expressed
Follow-up questions
- What interests you most about this team?
- Are there any areas of the role you’d like to explore further?
Full Stack Developer interviews — common questions
- Who is this Full Stack Developer interview plan for?
- It is written for the interviewer, not the candidate: the hiring manager, engineer or panel member running the System Design Interview round for a Full Stack Developer role. It gives you a 60 min script to follow in the conversation — 3 questions with what each one is for and the signals to score against — so you are not writing the round from scratch the night before.
- What does the System Design Interview round assess?
- This round is focused on: System Design, Architecture, Scalability, Microservices, Cloud Deployment. It works through System Design Challenge and Closing, scoring against 22 observable signals, with follow-up prompts on all 3 questions for going deeper where an answer is thin.
- How is the 60 min split up?
- System Design Challenge (50 min), Closing (5 min). The timings are there so the round stays on schedule and every candidate gets the same shape of interview — which is what makes two candidates comparable afterwards.
- What other rounds should I run for a Full Stack Developer?
A single round does not cover a whole role. The other rounds in this library for a Full Stack Developer: