Interview with Google… It’s so Hard….

Posted by Admin on 10/27/2006 9:32 AM | Comments (21)

I 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….

Original story

Comments (21) -

Monroe on 11/12/2008 11:15 AM 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.
Lombard on 11/12/2008 1:33 PM 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.
Kimball on 11/12/2008 3:51 PM That’s a good question. I do have interview experience for technical position; but not sales & operations.
Kendrick on 11/12/2008 6:09 PM 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
Jacob on 11/12/2008 8:27 PM 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.
Foster on 11/12/2008 10:45 PM That’s good point. My employer may read this blog too (although I don’t think so).
Earl on 11/13/2008 1:03 AM 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!!!
Durwin on 11/13/2008 3:21 AM Do you check your email often? I will email you if it’s ok.
Drew on 11/13/2008 5:39 AM Do you check your email often? I will email you if it’s ok.
Dixon on 11/13/2008 7:57 AM 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.
Delmar on 11/13/2008 10:15 AM 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.
Curt on 11/13/2008 12:33 PM 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).
Carver on 11/13/2008 2:51 PM 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.
Calvert on 11/13/2008 5:09 PM So, did you hear anything back from Google?
Barrett on 11/13/2008 7:27 PM 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.
Austin on 11/13/2008 9:45 PM Don’t worry. You’ll get the job.
Adam on 11/14/2008 12:03 AM 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… Frown
So they didn’t ask about brain teaser questions.
abby on 11/14/2008 2:21 AM 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
George on 11/14/2008 4:39 AM [...] 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. [...]
Stallone on 11/14/2008 6:57 AM Thanks for stopping by. I am not pessimistic, just want to be realistic. Hehe…. Smile
Anyway, let’s see within 1-2 weeks.
John on 11/14/2008 9:15 AM great job, don’t be pessimist, perhaps, Google will call and hire you in next 1-2 weeks ahead.
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