I might be a masochist, but I actually enjoy system design interviews and they're quite formulaic. Resources like "System design in a hurry" are great for narrowing down the formula.
Where I live (BC, Canada) actually has a law requiring all employers to list the position's salary range, which is great for cutting down on the "expected salary expectations" dance.
I don't like take homes as it's (highly likely) a one way time commitment and if you're truly looking to show off your skills it would take you hours.
If the system design interview is designed in a sane manner, which most of them are, thankfully for now.
Unfortunately, some interviewers ask questions that they themselves have not thought through properly, which leads to "interesting" discussions followed by a disqualification. While I've not had to face that issue first-hand as an interviewee, I've seen interviewers who wouldn't have been able to pass their own interview, for example.
Where I live (BC, Canada) actually has a law requiring all employers to list the position's salary range, which is great for cutting down on the "expected salary expectations" dance.
I don't like take homes as it's (highly likely) a one way time commitment and if you're truly looking to show off your skills it would take you hours.