How to prepare for Google? Need advice

Sep 27, 2021 62 Comments

Since the beginning of my undergrad, I always wanted to work in Google, I like the innovation that google (or alphabet) is doing as a group. Since FAANG companies are those which brings the new technology and tech innovations into the world, and I wanted to be part of that, but I couldn't crack the interview in my last 2 attempts.
I have appeared in Google twice, first time I was rejected in phone screen and second time I got rejection in on-site interview.
I would like to know how to prepare to ace the Google interview and start working there.
Along with being part of such good teams, of course TC, stocks, benefits and overall WLB is important and as what I heard and read that it's really good at Google.

So any advice, how to prepare for it? I am doing LC everyday but is there any specific approach I should follow? How much LC questions should be enough for being confident in the interview? And how long should I prepare before applying for the role

TC: not even ๐Ÿฅœ it's more like mustard seed.
YOE: 6yrs

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TOP 62 Comments
  • Google
    r4r

    Go to company page Google

    r4r
    200 mediums, 90 Hards (most frequent Google tagged Hards) should be good enough to succeed in a Google on-site.
    Sep 27, 2021 17
  • Google is overrated! I do not mean to be arrogant here. I'm saying it in nicest possible way.

    Just keep interviewing some of the best companies and you'll get into one eventually
    Sep 27, 2021 3
    • Who are you kidding Microsoft. If you got a G offer you'd say bye bye to papi satya
      Sep 27, 2021
    • Google
      ItsaMe! ๐Ÿ”ง

      Go to company page Google

      ItsaMe! ๐Ÿ”ง
      I think most people would switch but SarabhaiV2 is right, Google is wildly overrated. Biggest letdown of my career. And I say that as someone who used to work for a MS subsidiary. As much as I hated MS during the Gates/Ballmer years, I have a ton of respect for papi Satya. ๐Ÿ˜
      Sep 27, 2021
  • Amazon
    jdjslsko

    Go to company page Amazon

    jdjslsko
    I think luck plays a major factor. I failed my on-site twice before finally getting an offer last week.

    2nd time, I genuinely felt I did a great job and would definitely get it. Got a call 1 week later saying I did not make it.

    This time, my interviews was so easy, like LC easy-medium level. So, Iโ€™m not sure anymore. But, I always wanted to go to google too, and it is finally happening.

    So, good luck to you ๐Ÿ€

    Also, curious to know what the TC is at Seagate?
    Sep 27, 2021 25
    • Google
      bXbS30

      Go to company page Google

      bXbS30
      To add on top of that, how you solve the problems plays a way bigger factor than just "solving" them. Outlining your approach, coming up with test cases, creating an algorithm (not coding it) and then after you reach an agreement w/ the interviewer only then actually solve it. I got in with only solving 3 of my 4 coding rounds for my onsite, even then 1 of the three was suboptimal.
      Sep 27, 2021
    • Tesla
      wybern4

      Go to company page Tesla

      wybern4
      @r4r
      How would you define "right prep"?
      I solved a lot of problems, but still not sure if I am doing it right.
      I can't imagine to think that Google interviews are easy
      Sep 28, 2021
  • Apple
    code jello

    Go to company page Apple

    code jello
    Don't spend too much time in a dead end, keep the conversation moving, don't stay silent thinking

    The behavioral interview, also called googleyness interview, is important to assess leadership skills which can make the difference between L5 and L4

    Also practice system design questions, where it will be important to call out any tradeoffs between the ideal solution and the actual implementation
    Sep 27, 2021 6
    • New / Eng
      IamDboss

      New Eng

      BIO
      Addicted to blind, help me plox!
      IamDboss
      Hi @f-up, all the best for your preparation! In case you are not already aware, you can use pramp.com for free mock interviews, really good place and you get good peers. I have met some really good folks there. I am yet to graduate, used it for my Amazon and Bloomberg Sys Design interview prep, found quite smart peers during Sys Design mocks. If lucky, you might even get someone working at Google who maybe able to give some more insights about the expectations from candidate.
      Sep 28, 2021
    • OP
      @lamdboss thanks for the info. Will definitely check out
      Sep 28, 2021
  • Amazon / Eng
    BrazilBe๐Ÿ‘

    Go to company page Amazon Eng

    PRE
    iCIMS
    BrazilBe๐Ÿ‘
    This is my experience, and the resources I used : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECLlBfvydLE

    My take away from my last rejection is that I didn't do enough Google tagged leetcode questions.

    Assuming you already did the Blind Top 75, I'd say focus on Google's top rated questions and go through the mediums, and hards (some easies as well). Try to focus on the different patterns and see what you're still lacking in or may not have been exposed to yet. For me I've been focusing on dynamic programming and more in depth breadth first problems.

    From all the posts, and my own experience, Google really likes asking Graph related questions and sometimes math related questions (I was pretty weak on the latter).
    Sep 27, 2021 3