For engineers who run system design interviews
Run system design interviews on a shared canvas
A candidate changes the design halfway through the interview. Keep the exercise and interviewer notes beside the canvas so you can follow the reasoning as it happens.
Sound familiar?
- We asked the same question, but gave each candidate different constraints.
- I spent the first few minutes getting everyone into the drawing tool.
- I remember the final design. What made them change it?
Prepare the exercise before the call
Build a kit with staged prompts and a rubric for the role. Preview what the candidate will see and keep interviewer guidance beside each stage.
Work on the same canvas
The candidate joins through a link without an ArchDocs account. Draw together on the interview canvas while the exercise stays in view.
Introduce the next constraint when it's time
Reveal the next prompt as the design develops. Record your own notes and ratings against the rubric; every rating and hiring recommendation comes from a named human.
An interview, start to finish
Prepare the kit and agree on the rubric.
Send the candidate their session link.
Reveal prompts as you work through the design together.
Submit your scorecard before the debrief.