Work at Google: How to Communicate in Technical Interviews & What to do When You're Stumped

Summary

In this YouTube session, Google software engineers discuss the interview process for full-time candidates, covering steps like coding samples, phone interviews, and on-site interviews. They emphasize the importance of clear communication, understanding the problem, and demonstrating thought processes. Tips for phone interviews and handling being stuck are also provided, aiming to make the process less intimidating.

Takeaways

• 😀 The interview process at Google involves an initial coding sample and survey, followed by phone interviews and an on-site interview day with multiple 45-minute interviews.
• 🔍 The purpose of the coding sample is to demonstrate the ability to write good code without using outside resources within a time constraint.
• 📝 Phone interviews are conducted using a Google Doc to write code, which tests the candidate's coding skills in a basic text environment.
• 🤝 On-site interviews are a mix of technical and behavioral assessments, aiming to understand the candidate's capabilities and fit within the team.
• 💡 It's important to communicate effectively during the interview, starting with a naive solution to a problem and then discussing optimizations.
• 🔑 Discussing edge cases early in the interview shows maturity and understanding of robust code writing.
• 📚 The interviewers are looking for fundamental programming concepts, appropriate data structures, and language proficiency.
• 👀 Reading and writing clear and concise code is crucial; the code should be easy for the interviewer to understand at a glance.
• ✅ The interview's main goal is to have working code by the end, with the interviewer guiding the candidate to a solution.
• 🗣️ Practice and preparation are key, with resources like 'Cracking the Coding Interview' and online platforms like TopCoder for mock problems.
• 🧠 It's okay to not know everything; interviewers are interested in how candidates handle unknowns and work through problems.

Q & A

What is the first step in the Google interview process for full-time candidates?

The first step is to complete a coding sample and survey. This is an online task where candidates need to write good code within about an hour without using outside resources.

How many phone interviews can a candidate expect during the Google interview process?

Candidates can expect to have a couple of phone interviews, usually two, maybe three. These interviews are conducted over a Google Doc where candidates write code.

What is the purpose of the on-site interviews at Google?

The on-site interviews are conducted over the course of a day with about three to four interviews, each about 45 minutes in length. The purpose is to get a well-rounded understanding of the candidate as an individual and a professional.

How should candidates approach problem-solving during the interview?

Candidates should start by giving the naive solution first to demonstrate their understanding of the problem. They should also discuss edge cases and then methodically talk about different ways to solve the problem.

Why is it important for candidates to communicate effectively during the interview?

Effective communication is crucial as it helps the interviewer understand the candidate's thought process, approach to problem-solving, and ability to present themselves clearly, which are all important skills in a team environment.

What are some tips for candidates during phone interviews?

Candidates should use a readable font like Courier New, reduce the font size, turn off spell-check and autocorrect, ensure they are in a quiet room with a reliable Wi-Fi connection, and use a headset if possible.

How can candidates prepare for the on-site interviews at Google?

Candidates can prepare by practicing coding on a whiteboard, ensuring their code is modular and easy to read, and understanding the fundamental programming concepts and appropriate algorithms for different problems.

What is the role of the interview committee in the hiring process at Google?

The interview committee reviews all the information from the interviews and decides whether or not to hire a candidate and at which level, based on a comprehensive assessment of their skills and performance.

How should candidates handle situations where they are unsure or stuck during the interview?

Candidates should be honest about their uncertainty, ask for clarification, and walk through their thought process. Interviewers are there to help and may provide hints or explanations to guide the candidate.

What resources are recommended for candidates preparing for a technical interview at Google?

Candidates are recommended to use resources like 'Cracking the Coding Interview' book, TopCoder, and Google's own resources such as videos on the Google Students YouTube channel.