Google SWE Team Match (L3)
TLDR: As a L3, Is it actually possible to find a team match without any SWE experience? Why do HMs still choose to talk to me when they know my profile is not what they are looking for? Any advice how to do better? Should I be worried after that many unsuccessful calls? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have talked to 6 teams so far (in around 1 month) and all but 1 have already declined me because I have no experience in software development nor in the tech stack they use. In all my calls, I have been honest about my lack of experience but emphasized that I am willing to work hard and do anything to ramp up fast. I am coming from a DS background, so most of my experience is in ML and Python, however so far I have mostly talked to teams that work on non ML projects and either use C++ or Java. I am not in a rush and I trust my recruiter, but I am just scared that at some point they might give up on me if I don't find a team soon. Also, I had the choice to either do TM or HC first, but choose to do TM because I wanted to have an extra data point to support my packet. Should I just go for HC and then wait for TM? TC: 🥜 YOE: MS in CS + 1 #engineering #software #swe #newgrad #google
Where is your DS experience? Did you really do no programming at all? Maybe you have more experience than you think?
I did programming. I actually built a lot of machine learning models. It's just that it's not considered as traditional software engineering. Also my experience was a small start-up. Basically I consider myself a new grad as my experience is not at all relevant. I actually think I learned more preparing for the interviews than at my previous job.
I see, fair enough. Well done on the Google offer. Keep at it with the match up, it will happen. I have similar background - how come switch from DS/MLE to SWE?
Howd you pass L3 interviews for swe? Curious as I have 1 YOE as swe and struggle with graphs/DP advanced algorithms (especially in a time constricted setting i.e. interviews). Have L3 interview this week 🥺
You should learn fundamentals of algorithms for your onsite. I took an entire specialization on Coursera to relearn fundamentals. I also did LC on the side, but it wasn't enough. Once you have the fundamentals and you practice LC by topics you will start acing your interviews. Another thing that helped me was doing mock interviews. When you go for interviews, try to detach yourself from the outcome and just try to have fun solving the problems. Let the adrenaline guide you and you will do great IF you have the fundamentals.
Thanks for the reply! I’ve been doing both but I don’t think long enough as some of the more advanced topics trip me up… I’ll continue working on fundamentals and LC. do you (or anyone at google here) think the G recruiters will be ok with me pushing my interview back 1-2 months if my interview is this week? Also GL on team matching I hope you get matched soon!
can you be clearer? did they reject you after talking to you? did you sound enthusiastic
Yes I did try to sound enthusiastic. In each interview I showed interest and asked at least 10-15 questions. 3 rejected me after the call, 2 put me on hold and the last 1 hasn't decided yet.
I got a team at L3. Same background and exp as you. In my case I had competing offers.
Congrats! how many calls did you have before you matched? I just had 2 more calls today and I think they went super well. Hopefully I am right.
Yeah TMIng isn't that hard. I TMed on my 2nd and 3rd call, I rejected the 4th. So I had 4. 2 were interested 1 wanted more interview calls 1 passed. Hopefully you TMed today as well
What about the remaining team? Have they matched with you or are you still waiting to hear back? Your HC results are good for 1 year, so you have time to match with a team. Don’t give up!
The remaining team shortlisted me and I talked with the TL yesterday. That team is actually my top choice, but I'm not sure the TL liked me. I would have to learn C++, Rust and operating systems but I am happy to do that if I am selected.
Also thanks a lot for your support. I also made it to Twitter (DS) and FB (MLE) onsites, but Google is the one I really want.