Google SDE Interview Prep

How to prepare for Google SDE roles

A lot of folks dream of making it to Google. But its something that needs a strategic prep. Now, a little about me. I was very interested in the SDE role and hence at the time I had researched a lot. Little did I know that my research would come into use today. Sharing all the information below :

This is with respect to L3 role or entry level Software Dev role at Google :

First Round Recruiter Screen:

This round focussed on 3 key things:

1. Ensuring you are eligible for the job by checking for visa, location etc.

2. Ensuring your speaking skills are good.

3. Walk through of your resume

If all of those are good, you should be cleared for next round.

Second Round Technical Interview

The second round can involve 2 technical coding questions and is typically 1 hour long. Expect to code 2 medium or 1 medium and 1 easy problem with optimized time and space complexity. If time permits you could also be asked for a behavioral question. You can expect 1 DP/Tree problem and 1 array/list/dictionary/matrix problem.

You can expect the interviewer to give you a few small hints here and there but that's it.

To prepare for this, here are some resources :

Link 1

Link 2

50 Top Google Questions

Top 75 Leetcode

If the second round coding interview goes well, its usually onsite. If there is a 50:50, sometimes, there is a chance of another phone screen.

Onsite Interview

The onsite interview is divided into 4 interviews.

ONSITE ROUND 1 - CODING

Expect 2 medium or 1 medium -1 hard problems in this round. Following topics could be tested :

1. DFS

2. DP

3. Trees

4. Backtracking

Again, I understand these topics are hard. So, focus on Blind75 or Neetcode 150 and DSA 28 Patterns. They will help you with the fundamental basics which inturn will help you crack these topics and questions

ONSITE ROUND 2 - CODING

The problems in this round likely get tougher. Expect 2 medium-hard problems again and will require a thorough understanding of algorithms. Again while entire DSA is to be know, this could involve questions like DP, Trees, etc. Keep in mind the below notes:

1. Its okay if you are unable to solve problems fully. You understanding matters alot.

2. If you are not able to crack it at first, ask interviewer for a small hint and they will guide you a bit so you can identify the problem.

ONSITE ROUND 3 - SYSTEM DESIGN

This is where you will be asked questions like “Design Youtube” or “Design Google Chrome” . Now understand three key things :

1. You are not expected to design everything about Youtube in 45 mins. You are expected to thoughtfully construct a small part of Youtube or bare bones basic functionality.

2. The interview is expecting to test your understanding of concepts like

   1. Multi threading

   2. Load Balancing

   3. Scalability

   4. Reliability

   5. Availability

ONSITE ROUND 4 - GOOGLYNESS

This interview essentially is a behavioral questions. Prepare for questions like :

1. Tell me about a time when you had conflicting priorities and how you manage them?

Ensure the below for your prep :

1. Prepare answers in STAR format.

2. Focus on Behavioral and Leadership Questions: Googliness primarily tests your responses to behavioral and leadership scenarios based on your past experiences.

3. Useful Resources: Watch Jeff Sipe YouTube videos - https://youtube.com/@jeffhsipepi?si=3h1eYjSXVbNyVSOm

TEAM MATCHING

If you clear onsite, then its team matching which is where Hiring Manager tests you to ensure your skill aligns with projects the team is working on. Once done, you should receive an offer.

Hope this helps!