I know Google interviews generate a lot of traffic on HN but I thought that I'd add something that I haven't seen covered, that is, the job itself.
I interviewed twice successfully for Google and the interview experience was impeccable (interviewers were great, HR was completely on the ball etc.). The first time there was a hiring freeze so that didn't go anywhere, the second led to offers in several countries in Googles empire. Most of these I could not accept for family reasons but one I could although Google were quite secretive about what the job was.
I accepted thinking that, well they know me well enough by now and what I can do. A mistake. Upon arrival it turned out to be writing an Android app which is completely the wrong end of the spectrum for me - I have never even written Java. I was been benchmarked against people who seem only to have done only that. The other thing that made me realise that I had no long term future in Google is that it was made clear to me that any experience of working for other software companies or other industries was neither interesting or useful. If you have a lot on your C.V. like I have this is problematic.
So I left after a few months.
Sure Google is a fabulous company, does some amazing stuff and has some great people (perhaps not as uniformly great as they'd like you to believe). If you fit the mould tightly enough you will have a lovely time.
TL;DR - They should not have hired someone like me, I should not have accepted.
I interviewed twice successfully for Google and the interview experience was impeccable (interviewers were great, HR was completely on the ball etc.). The first time there was a hiring freeze so that didn't go anywhere, the second led to offers in several countries in Googles empire. Most of these I could not accept for family reasons but one I could although Google were quite secretive about what the job was.
I accepted thinking that, well they know me well enough by now and what I can do. A mistake. Upon arrival it turned out to be writing an Android app which is completely the wrong end of the spectrum for me - I have never even written Java. I was been benchmarked against people who seem only to have done only that. The other thing that made me realise that I had no long term future in Google is that it was made clear to me that any experience of working for other software companies or other industries was neither interesting or useful. If you have a lot on your C.V. like I have this is problematic.
So I left after a few months.
Sure Google is a fabulous company, does some amazing stuff and has some great people (perhaps not as uniformly great as they'd like you to believe). If you fit the mould tightly enough you will have a lovely time.
TL;DR - They should not have hired someone like me, I should not have accepted.