Over the last couple of months, I was interviewing for a software development position at Google's Cambridge office. I've felt a little stagnated at work and when one of my friends at Google asked if I was looking, I decided to take a shot.
I talked with a recruiter on September 17th and after furiously preparing my resume, I submitted the paper work required to get things going. A week or so later, I had a phone interview with was a little of sales job on either side and a technical vetting. I didn't think the phone interview went that well, but it apparently went well enough that I had a round of in-person interviews scheduled for October 23rd.
On the 23rd, I interviewed with two people, each interview was 45 minutes long centered around one software design/implementation problem that required problem solving, coding and algorithms. I worked and talked through the problems on the board while the interviewers scribbled notes. I later found out that they are required to submit an interview transcript that includes all code to a hiring committee.
I felt that the first round went well, so I was a little disappointed that it took until November 2nd (9 days) to hear back. However, I did well enough that a second round of in-person interviews was scheduled for November 11th. This round followed the same format: 45 minutes centered around a single problem that would require code to be written on the white board. Of the three interviews, I would say one went well, one okay and one badly.
From talking with the interviewers, I understood that the hiring committee would meet on the 17th and based on the ratings, transcripts and recommendations make a decision. As with the first round, it took a while to hear back. I finally had to prod the recruiter and several other people at Google to get an answer.
In the end, I didn't get the job. In the end, I think this was the best outcome.
However, I am very disappointed in Google and the interview process:
- It took far to long at every stage of the process. Some of the delays were due to my schedule, but more often it just took a long time to get the wheels turning at Google. After each interview (phone, in person) there was a long void of silence that followed.
- I got zero feedback post-process. Despite requesting feedback about why I didn't get the job, nothing was provided. If I re-apply to Google in the future or another position, I'd like to know what needs improving.
Here are the positives that I am taking from this:
- I work at an extremely family friendly company. I have serious doubts about Google support for 40 hour weeks and quality family time. Note: the exersaucer I saw in their offices does not count as family friendly.
- I have a great commute. Right now, it takes me 15 to 17 minutes to get to work. It would take me a minimum of 45 minutes to get to the Google offices.
- I have a lot more focus and energy for my current job. I felt very re-energized after the whole Google interview process was over and a decision was made. I'm leveraging that energy at work.
- I've had some practice interviewing.
There are some things that I'll miss about not getting the job, but I can focus on bringing those same things to my current position and I'm well prepare to look for another job if I make that decision in the future.
