Prepare for your Google Interview: Tips and Example General Cognitive Ability Question

Summary

In this Google interview prep guide, Jodi Taylor, a University Program Specialist at Google, walks candidates through the interview process, focusing on the General Cognitive Ability (GCA) interview. The GCA interview assesses problem-solving skills, leadership, and logical reasoning through behavioral and situational questions. Taylor introduces a framework for answering complex questions, emphasizing clarity, logical assumptions, and communication. Using a practice question about organizing a grand opening event, she demonstrates how to break down a problem, ask clarifying questions, and justify a solution. This guide provides essential insights to help candidates succeed in Google's rigorous interview process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Google values four core traits in candidates: critical thinking, leadership, role-related knowledge, and googliness (intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and thinking big).
• 😀 The GCA interview at Google has two parts: behavioral (past experiences) and situational (hypothetical questions).
• 😀 In situational questions, Google assesses how you break down complex problems and find thoughtful solutions.
• 😀 The structured approach to answering situational questions involves taking a moment to think, asking clarifying questions, and sharing logical assumptions.
• 😀 Communication is key during the interview—it's important to clearly explain your thought process as you work through the problem.
• 😀 It’s okay to make assumptions when answering situational questions, but always justify them and explain your reasoning.
• 😀 Make sure your responses tie back to the role you're applying for to show relevance and alignment with the job.
• 😀 The goal of the GCA interview is to evaluate how you solve problems and approach complex, real-world scenarios.
• 😀 Google no longer asks abstract questions like 'How many golf balls fit in a 747?' but focuses on hypothetical, scenario-based problems that reflect real challenges.
• 😀 Candidates should practice answering similar questions on their own to improve their problem-solving and communication skills before the interview.
• 😀 After providing an answer, always consider the pros and cons of your solution and how you would measure success in the given scenario.

Q & A

What are the core qualities Google looks for in candidates during the hiring process?

Google looks for four core qualities in candidates: 1) How candidates think—problem-solving using data, logic, and reasoning. 2) Leadership skills—emergent leadership and initiative, not just titles. 3) Role-related knowledge—transferable skills rather than just specific titles or past internships. 4) Googliness—intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and thinking at scale.

What does GCA stand for, and what does it assess in candidates?

GCA stands for General Cognitive Ability. It assesses a candidate's ability to break down complex problems and develop thoughtful, data-driven solutions. It includes both behavioral questions and situational questions related to real-world challenges that may occur at Google.

How is a typical GCA interview structured?

A typical GCA interview is divided into two parts: 1) A behavioral segment, where the candidate is asked to share past experiences related to teamwork, communication, failure, and leadership. 2) A situational segment, where the candidate is presented with hypothetical scenarios to evaluate their problem-solving abilities and approach to complex, real-world problems.

What is the importance of clarifying questions during a Google interview?

Clarifying questions are crucial because they help candidates better understand the problem or scenario being presented. Often, interviewers may provide either too much or too little information, and asking clarifying questions ensures the candidate can gather the necessary details to answer the question effectively.

What does 'Googliness' mean, and how does it affect a candidate’s evaluation?

'Googliness' refers to qualities such as intellectual curiosity, the ability to collaborate, and thinking on a larger scale (10x thinking). It also involves being proactive and contributing positively to the team and organization. Although a somewhat nebulous concept, Googliness is essential in evaluating how well a candidate fits with Google’s culture.

What is the framework that candidates should use when answering GCA interview questions?

Candidates should follow a framework that includes: 1) Taking a moment before responding to gather thoughts. 2) Asking clarifying questions to ensure understanding. 3) Making logical assumptions when information is missing. 4) Showing the thought process (show your work). 5) Considering the pros and cons, or thinking about how success can be measured. If possible, tie the response back to the role in question.

What should a candidate do after coming up with a solution to a situational question?

After coming up with a solution, a candidate should consider the pros and cons of the solution, and reflect on how success would be measured. This could involve thinking about how to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution and if it aligns with the objectives of the role and the company.

How does Google evaluate a candidate’s problem-solving abilities in an interview?

Google evaluates problem-solving abilities by assessing how candidates break down complex problems, make logical assumptions, communicate their thought process clearly, and arrive at a solution. The evaluation includes understanding how the candidate identifies multiple solutions and justifies the best one, as well as how they handle feedback during the process.

Why is it important for candidates to communicate their thought process during an interview?

It is important because communication helps the interviewer understand how the candidate approaches problems and iterates through solutions. Clear communication also demonstrates the candidate's ability to work through complex issues and ensures that the interviewer can follow the logic behind their decisions.

What is a key example of a practice question shared in the Google interview prep session, and how should it be approached?

A key practice question was: 'Imagine you are in charge of organizing the grand opening of a new Google office. How would you plan this event?' The approach involves first asking clarifying questions (e.g., budget, location, number of attendees), making logical assumptions (e.g., available team, expected goals), showing the work by outlining steps in the planning process, and finally considering how success would be measured (e.g., post-event feedback, budget adherence).