- Clarified scope, requirements, expected load, etc - High-level design of whole system - Added low-level details I maintained an involved discussion with the interviewer throughout the whole exercise, asked many clarifying questions, explained rationalization behind ideas, made it clear if I had no prior experience with certain parts of the process and how I would set out to learn more about them despite not knowing much about them. I did not think above a sheet of paper in silent thinking, but gave insights into my thought process. I think the goal of this exercise is not to expertly solve the problem but to introduce how you work. Show your strategies, way of thinking, how you would set out to solve the problem, which parts do you find difficult and why, how do you plan to overcome them, which parts make you really shine and why, etc.