Interview with Google… It’s so Hard….
Career October 27th. 2006, 10:01amI haven’t written any blog postings in the last couple of days. That was mainly because I was preparing for interview with Google. I didn’t apply for a job there, but I went for an interview because one of Google recruiters contacted me.
I have heard that Google interview process is very tough and complicated. This morning, I experienced it myself. And, they are all right…. it was so hard. They don’t ask stupid interview questions, e.g.:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- What are you weakness?
- etc, etc…
They use an academic approach. They fire a problem and we have to solve it. They want to see how we think, how we analyze the problem, and how we choose an approach to solve it. For me, because I am a software engineer, they want to see how I can write code in whatever language that I claim to be good at.
Well… I don’t think I will pass the interview, given the fact that my answers were not satisfying the interviewer. Actually, I knew already that Google is not the right place to work for me. They have been hiring brilliant, creative and young engineers only. I am not young any more, nor am I brillliant or creative.
Unfortunately, I cannot publish their questions here; otherwise their lawyer will come to me….
October 28th, 2006 at 11:39 am
great job, don’t be pessimist, perhaps, Google will call and hire you in next 1-2 weeks ahead.
October 28th, 2006 at 12:28 pm
@Kukuh: Thanks for stopping by. I am not pessimistic, just want to be realistic. Hehe….
Anyway, let’s see within 1-2 weeks.
October 28th, 2006 at 10:41 pm
[...] I was very surprise too…. Honestly, I don’t have interest in probability and statistics, but recently I had to learn them to prepare my interview with Google. I have heard that they may ask this kind of questions. [...]
October 28th, 2006 at 10:43 pm
So, how did it go? Your formulation of the birthday question is really simple (and thus creative… I think this is what Google seek in Googlers?).
I’m not very good on written test
October 28th, 2006 at 10:51 pm
@Oskar: They didn’t ask that birthday question. I just heard that they may ask that kind of question.
For me, they asked two questions only. The first one was related to wireless industry. They have a real case that need to be solved and they asked how I would solve the problem.
The second question was programming. They asked me to write a code. It is supposed to be a simple code, but I was too nervous…
So they didn’t ask about brain teaser questions.
October 30th, 2006 at 1:35 am
Don’t worry. You’ll get the job.
October 30th, 2006 at 8:50 am
@ephi: Thanks. Actually there is another problem, i.e. legal issue. I have been discussing with their HR person. The limit of working visa (H1B visa) for 2006 has been reached long time ago. So the earliest date for foreign worker to work in the US is October 2007 (still one more year from now). So, even if I am accepted, we have to find solution for legal issue.
That’s why I don’t put too much hope.
November 16th, 2006 at 5:24 am
So, did you hear anything back from Google?
November 16th, 2006 at 8:58 am
@Joan: Yes, indeed. Lucky me that I passed the last interview although I didn’t make it so well.
We’re currently scheduling for the third phone interview. May be in the next 1-2 weeks. Let’s what is going to happen then.
November 16th, 2006 at 3:33 pm
Antony, Congratulations on making it to the 3rd interview! I think you’re being too hard on yourself, probably because you set such a high standard. I just took a peek at your resume and I think it’s impressive. BTW, my brother also went to UGM (accounting major).
November 16th, 2006 at 5:20 pm
@Joan: Thank you very much. Is your brother the same age as me?
I think Google also set very high standard. Just before my last interview, they gave me some “hints” what the interview would like. I looked at the material and it is so difficult.
November 16th, 2006 at 5:25 pm
Oh yes, one additional info. The second task for me during interview is writing code using Google Docs. I couldn’t finish the task and the interviewer said, “Sorry, we don’t have time any more”. After he said that, I thought that I wouldn’t pass the second interview.
November 16th, 2006 at 6:10 pm
Do you check your email often? I will email you if it’s ok.
November 16th, 2006 at 6:35 pm
Of course, I check my email everyday…
Feel free to write email to me.
December 4th, 2006 at 8:24 pm
Anthony
Just a quick advise about what is going on with Goolge interviews(you may not need it, but anyway…):
- Your current employer may find out information about your job interview? May not be nice!!! And I personally believe that you do not know yet what exchange you have make to work for Google, it is worth to???
- You are very qualified, if Google is serious, they need to offer you. Do not let them play around!!!
Good luck with what ever you want!!!
December 4th, 2006 at 8:49 pm
@Nathan: That’s good point. My employer may read this blog too (although I don’t think so).
March 20th, 2007 at 1:15 am
Hi All,
I’ve an interview tomorrow from Google Sydney Office. I’ve applied for IT Technician-Grad. position. on 21st March, 2007 , its going to be my first interview with Google and I ma quite nervour what they are going to ask me in 30 mins phone interview.
If someone have any idea or any experience , please share with me.
I’ve also prepared for few technicial question but as everyone knows telephone interview and explanation differe from face-to-face interview.
Looking forward to hear from you.
THanks in advance.
April 30th, 2007 at 8:01 am
Dear PRANAV TAMAKUWALA,
i have my first 30 min phone interview with Google scheduled for this Thursday. I’ve applied for Online Sales and Operations Manager and I have no clue what they may ask me. Any help and hints are more then welcome.
Thanks in advance,
Katarzyna
April 30th, 2007 at 8:20 am
Katarzyna: That’s a good question. I do have interview experience for technical position; but not sales & operations.
May 3rd, 2007 at 4:47 am
Dear Antony,
Can you at least tell me the structure of the interview? Is it really so much different from any other firms? So, how did it go, did u get the job?
Thanks and my time is running out – 2 hours to the phone call.
Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Best,
Katarzyna
May 3rd, 2007 at 8:35 am
@Katarzyna: Good luck for your job interview.
Unfortunately I didn’t get the job for some strange reasons. After the second interview, they said they are interested and want to do the next interview.
After waiting for a couple of weeks, another guy from Google contacted me. He said that they are not interested with me any more.
It’s kinda of strange because they changed their mind within a couple of weeks. I think it is because the HR guy who handled my case was changed.
May 3rd, 2007 at 11:42 am
Thank you! I passed the fist interview without any problems. I am having the second one scheduled for next week. Do you have any idea on how many interviews you have to go through with them?
It’s a pity what happened to you, but as I say, some things happen for a reason (:
May 22nd, 2007 at 7:52 am
Hello,
I am interviewing for the Online Sales and Operations Mgr position as well – can you give me feedback on how your interview went- what the structure was – what they asked you etc?
Thanks much,
Smitha
June 4th, 2007 at 12:11 am
Hi guys,
I\’ve my first phone interview with google sometime this week.. Will be great if you could send me some of questions that were asked. Btw, I\’m applying for the post of software engg for internal application development
July 9th, 2007 at 2:41 am
@Jester: How is your interview? I\’m interviewing for soft. eng. position this week. and i don\’t know how is it going? would be very helpful to share some information?
August 4th, 2007 at 9:31 am
i have phone itview w/google, sure it was hard than any company i have ever had i guess,i got 3 round, 1st round is basic routing, 2nd round deep thought of OSI 1-7,how packet goes, etc, round 3 case for network, this is real hard, and i failed
June 6th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Hi Katarzyna and Smitha: I actually have my first phone screen for the same position, Online Sales and Operations Account Manager.
Can you give me any details about the first phone screen? I can only find information pertaining to the more technical roles at Google.
Thanks very much!
June 23rd, 2008 at 5:20 am
jake
The first few interviews W/ Google were a cake walk. They mostly pertain to how you would manage a diverse team of highly intelligent people and how would you balance metrics management vs people management. They look a a lot at people management skills. I had 2 phone interviews of 30 mins each and then an onsite where 4 people interviewed me.
By the time the process was finished i was already settled in a new job and didnt take it.
Good luck. you can email me at smitha.iyer@gmail.com if you have any more questions.