I got rejected over a design netflix question for an EM role at Meta

Thanks for your response Alex, appreciate it.

Yes I did not reflect the tech choices for the db although I did briefly explain the user of NoSQL for video metadata and SQL for user metadata.

Elasticsearch here was used to update the watch count index to search for most watched videos. I did explain the adaptive segment needed to stream but didn't draw it out. I didn't mention the protocols used.

I did not highlight recommendations in the functional requirements but interviewer wanted to deep dive into it. Im guessing this is where I fell short, I haven't had much experience in it and didn't read up as thoroughly.

To you point of overall, I thought I did ok, because I didn't get a lot of pointers from the interview and I did not struggle because he nodded his head throughout so I felt I was on the right path. I know I could've improved here so im seeking feedback to learn and move forward from this. I did pass their initial phone screen round on system design, this was the last interview. Also interviews started 6 mins late and we ended at 35 mins, he did not have more questions and asked me for questions.

The recruiter mentioned she could not provide any specific feedback.

Yes I already pass a phone screen round (behavioural + system design (ticketmaster)) and I then had 5 on-site interviews after. They asked for one more follow interview for more signal in system design. I was told my phone screen design was exceptional, but they wanted one more round, that's why i know this netflix design sunk me.

so i'm a bit bummed after 8 rounds to get a reject.

I will just say “borderline” and “missing data” are different states and reasons for an additional round. Maybe they told you it was borderline, but it’s hard to deduce otherwise.

Mostly I say this to say: it isn’t unreasonable to blame this last round. It also isn’t 100% the case. Being reflective is great, but you’re working from incomplete information/feedback. This may be a good design, but there were other things it didn’t “raise up” enough for an offer or to advance to next committee.

Thanks for your thoughts Lee, appreciate you spending the time to respond.

This was what I got from the recruiter as an explanation:

I wanted to thank you for taking the time to interview with us! I just heard back from your follow-up interviewer and unfortunately, we will not be moving forward with an offer at this time. I am not able to provide specific feedback

I don't know Meta process but I'd believe you to say perhaps I didn't deliver a top notch design so the margin for error was low and got rejected across perhaps my other round on DSA. The only other feedback I got was behavioral and people management was great.

I'll have to do better. I'd just wish I don't have to wait a year for it and when I'd like to secure a job now.

Thanks for all of your advice on Taro

Hi Thoughtful Tarodactyl,

You are right that design was exactly what I followed. I just did not include the upload parts since he told me specifically focus on streaming to the user.

Thanks for your comments, I'll probably like to redo my design and repost here for your feedback if possible covering the points you shared.

Also the Google drive files I'm not able to access can you share? Thank you!