I have heard that interviewers at Google can choose whatever interview question (for SWE interviews). Does that mean the interview is completely random? I know for Amazon, different rounds try to test different aspects (problem solving vs data structures vs algorithms, different LP questions). Does Google do anything similar where they assign some topic of focus to each interviewer? Curious to hear from Google interviewers/HC members.
It's mostly random. Occasionally a specific topic will be assigned, like "please focus on coding skills in x programming language"
I see. I guess luck really does matter then - whether the topics/areas are skewed towards your strengths or weaknesses.
Good interviewers would ask what topic you are more comfortable with. Or at least, if you ask for it, they will try to accommodate you, if your request if reasonable.
I used to think Google has good interviewing practices when I worked there, but having seen Facebook's from the inside they are far superior with proper focus on coding/design/culture. Google is really hit and miss whether the set of interviewers get a complete view of all aspects. I suspect this is why the rest of the hiring process takes so long, since it turns into guess work and searching for signal in all the noise.
It's mostly at interviewer's discretion but for more senior candidates (not new grads) some interviewers will have to ask design questions while others will focus on algorithms and coding . Also for front-end roles there will be FE specific questions.
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Yes. It's random.