LLD interviews can feel daunting.
I remember my early days, struggling to answer design questions and feeling lost during interviews.
I faced a lot of uncertainty and made plenty of mistakes along the way.
Today, I want to share the top 10 mistakes I learned to avoid in low level design interviews.
If you’re preparing up for your next interview or just looking to sharpen your skills, this post is for you.
Let’s break down these common mistakes one by one.
1. Not Clarifying Requirements
- Failing to ask questions leads to confusion.
- Jumping in without a clear idea of what the interviewer expects.
- Always verify and confirm what’s being asked before diving into your solution.
2. Weak Fundamentals in System Design
- Overlooking the basics of low level design can hurt your answers.
- Ensure you understand key concepts and design patterns.
- Brush up on SOLID principles and common design patterns used in software architecture.
3. Lack of Real-World Practice
- It’s easy to get theoretical but miss out on practical experience.
- Practice with sample problems and case studies.
- Check out Coudo AI’s LLD interview questions for hands-on practice.
4. Overcomplicating Simple Designs
- Trying to show off by adding unnecessary complexity.
- Keep your design clear and straightforward.
- Simplicity is a strength – explain your thought process in plain terms.
5. Ignoring Scalability and Performance
- Failing to consider how your design will handle growth.
- Think about the load and future requirements.
- This is crucial when discussing design patterns in microservices or building a robust system.
6. Not Weighing Trade-Offs
- Every design decision comes with pros and cons.
- Explain why you chose one approach over another.
- Talk through the trade-offs to show you understand the implications.
7. Poor Communication
- Keeping your thoughts to yourself is a big mistake.
- Speak clearly and let the interviewer follow your reasoning.
- Break down your ideas using bullet points or sketches when possible.
8. Failing to Ask for Feedback
- If you’re unsure, ask the interviewer for clarification.
- Use questions to show engagement and a willingness to learn.
- This not only clears confusion but also demonstrates good communication skills.
9. Neglecting to Revisit Past Experiences
- Not reflecting on previous interviews means repeating the same mistakes.
- Always learn from feedback and adapt your approach.
- Revisit your previous designs and improve them over time.
10. Underestimating the Importance of Simplicity
- Over-engineering is a common trap.
- Stick to a design that is easy to understand and maintain.
- Explain your design in a way that even someone not deeply technical could follow.
FAQs
Q1: How do I start clarifying requirements in an interview?
Start by asking simple, clear questions.
Make sure you understand the scope and constraints before designing your solution.
Q2: What’s the best way to practice low level design problems?
Practice with real scenarios.
Working through problems like these which can be very helpful.
Q3: How important is communication during LLD interviews?
Very important.
Interviews are as much about your thought process as your final answer.
Explain your ideas clearly and seek feedback when needed.
Wrapping Up
I hope my honest list of mistakes helps you prepare better for your next interview.
It took me some time to learn what works and what doesn’t in low level design interviews.
If you want to deepen your understanding, check out more practice problems and guides on Coudo AI.
Remember, continuous improvement is the key to mastering LLD interviews.
Good luck, and keep pushing forward!