Interview with google

Got an interview today for a technical PM (Security specialist) job in CA for google. It is just a 30 min stint with a hiring manager or equivalent.

Any idea on what kind of "google" questions they will ask?

Again, it s for a security program manager job.

Thanks!

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Comments

inscom.brigade

Wow Google not an easy task just to get the interview. Good luck

the_Grinch

I've done "two" interviews with them. The "first" interview was the gauntlet of two hour long phone interviews and then 3 "in" person interviews (I went to the NYC office and two were people actually in the physical office and one was remote via teleconference). They asked me just about every technical question you could think of. I honestly thought after the first phone interview, what could they ask me? Then came the second phone interview they had a whole new set of questions. When it came to the in person I thought for sure this would just be the HR type interview, but low and behold it was more technical questions.

The second interview was a phone interview and was also technical, I definitely shouldn't have been called for the position.

How to prepare? Well you really can't. Just know that the weird questions with "you are shrunk to the size of a pea and put in a blender" are no longer there. They learned a long time ago that those question didn't really mean squat when push came to shove. I'd review everything they stated on the announcement as preferred and be ready for just about anything.

Good luck and congrats! Getting the call is the second hardest part of getting a job with Google.

Cyberscum

^^^
Thanks for the info. I have heard that google is not the amazing place to work that it once was. I know they offer cool perks etc... but I also know that a lot of their current employees feel overworked and stressed. I am considering it, but living in CA especially in that area would require a substantial salary to maintain my current living standards.

The last thing I want to do is leave my current job into a stress ridden position. I have seen many program manager positions understaffed and requiring 50+ hours a week.

networker050184

I went through the entire interview process with google. There were never any crazy "google" type questions. It was pretty much similar to every other interview I've been on. A couple phone interviews then once on site a few one on ones and lunch. The pay really isn't there with google though in my experience. Seems most people are willing to accept lower pay and responsibility just for the sake of working there. The feeling I got was everyone is way over qualified for their position just to be there. Campus perks and stock options are certainly nice though.

Cyberscum

networker050184 wrote: »

Seems most people are willing to accept lower pay and responsibility just for the sake of working there. The feeling I got was everyone is way over qualified for their position just to be there. Campus perks and stock options are certainly nice though.

Yeah I think I am going to respectfully decline the interview. After reading review after review it seems like they are becoming more and more like every other big business out there. Very little work/life balance.

Cyberscum

hahah the cost of living is 291% more for housing compared to where I am at. I highly doubt I can get that much of a bump even if I land a job there.

networker050184

I'm just one man so definitely don't let my experience throw you off. Nothing wrong with feeling them out. Free trip to SF too!

Cyberscum wrote: »

hahah the cost of living is 291% more for housing compared to where I am at. I highly doubt I can get that much of a bump even if I land a job there.

One of the biggest turn offs for me too. They were offering somewhat equivalent salary to what I was making in a place with $800 a month rent area. Can't get a cardboard box for that in SF.

NetworkNewb

I'd check it out if it were me. Sounds like it would be a good/interesting experience and would make a good story too. Not mention just to check out inside Google's environment (don't know how much you would actually see though).

Also, going on interviews when you don't really care if you get the job is ALOT more relaxing. I'd just go in there and have fun with it. In my experience the interview usually goes pretty well with that mind set as well.

Never know, you might love the job!

gespenstern

I always go to any interviews. This keeps you in shape and accommodates you to one interview process that really matters and being interviewed is stressful, so you'd better be prepared.

UnixGuy

Why decline? see what they have to offer. Ask them about stress/work life balance...ask about salary and see what they have to say..they might meet your expectations if they like you

Shoe Box

I am thinking of applying to Google to work at one of their huge data centers, probably the one in North Carolina, as it is closest to me. But I'll wait until next year when I finish my CCENT and maybe my CCNA R&S before I apply.

I'd like to apply for either a data center technician role or more preferably, NOC operations to monitor the place and be on top of any problems.

There's a Google office here in Pittsburgh but I doubt there's a data center of any significance here of theirs. Other companies have fair size data centers (5,000-20,000 square feet that I know of) in the area, where I will go to get experience before I apply with Google.

Does Google pay well? I don't care what name is on the building, if they don't offer a salary in line with the job requirements I won't bother with them.

ArabianKnight

Hey, I thought you just took a job in MD earlier this year......

Mike-Mike

GreaterNinja wrote: »

He told me he had weight issues from all the free food

I would try to double my salary in free food that I consumed.. however that would probably cause me to double my weight

Pupil

I'd like to interview at Google just to see what they ask. I think it's all just hype.

networker050184 wrote: »

I went through the entire interview process with google. There were never any crazy "google" type questions. It was pretty much similar to every other interview I've been on. A couple phone interviews then once on site a few one on ones and lunch. The pay really isn't there with google though in my experience. Seems most people are willing to accept lower pay and responsibility just for the sake of working there. The feeling I got was everyone is way over qualified for their position just to be there. Campus perks and stock options are certainly nice though.

It's the software devs making all the money.

apr911

Shoe Box wrote: »

I am thinking of applying to Google to work at one of their huge data centers, probably the one in North Carolina, as it is closest to me. But I'll wait until next year when I finish my CCENT and maybe my CCNA R&S before I apply.

Dont get me wrong, the CCNA is good basic knowledge to have and isn't going to hurt you but you should be forewarned from what little is known about Google's network, it is known that Google runs its own networking stack complete with custom software and hardware.

Most of it's SDN based but there is the "Pluto Switch" that has circulated the web a few times:
Revealed: The Secret Gear Connecting Google's Online Empire | WIRED

Obviously, as non-google employees dont have access to their devices, they're not going to expect you to have knowledge of them but its worth noting that sometimes vendor certs can be as much as a downside to a candidate as it is an upside since a untrained net admin only needs to be taught as where a cisco trained net admin needs to first unlearn the Cisco before the teaching can begin.

networker050184 wrote: »

One of the biggest turn offs for me too. They were offering somewhat equivalent salary to what I was making in a place with $800 a month rent area. Can't get a cardboard box for that in SF.

Oh so very true... Biggest reason Im not in San Francisco. I got a nice bump moving from San Antonio, TX to San Diego, CA and that still worked out to a cost-adjusted base salary cut of close to 10% not including bonus (bonus payout may or may not make up the difference since my potential bonus is significantly higher at the new company) and even here in San Diego, cost of living is still a good 10-20% lower than San Francisco/San Jose area...

UnixGuy wrote: »

Why decline? see what they have to offer. Ask them about stress/work life balance...ask about salary and see what they have to say..they might meet your expectations if they like you

I have to agree. Turning them down outright isn't going to get you anywhere... They may surprise you and offer you something competitive or something that doesn't involve a nearly 300% cost of living increase (such as a position more local or the same position working remote in a closer office or even work from home)... Unless you are completely uninterested in the role, there's no reason to stop before you even begin.

On more than one ocassion, I have continued the interview process despite a proposed salary range that was below my target (be reasonable here though, your not going to get them to double what they indicate they're offerring but a 10-20% bump may well be possible)... In many cases, I was able to negotiate my way into a total compensation package that has met or at least come close to minimum targets or better... In the few instances I have been unsuccessful and I have determined the proposed salary is insufficient, then the only thing I've lost is some of my time but I likely gained much more such as a free trip to a destination/city, contacts in the industry/field/company and an opportunity to test/sharpen your interviewing skills.

In the case of Google, even getting an offer from them is a rather significant achievement (as is being approached by a recruiter because lets be honest, Google has enough people actively applying to get in that they dont need to actively seek out people) so it'll be a good test.

Also, I've found that in most cases, if a company is flying you out, they wont mind putting you up for an extra night so you can explore the town, if not longer. On more than one ocassion I've arranged the trip around a weekend (or even a holiday) and have offered to pick up the tab on the hotel for the weekend if they'd fly me out at the beginning/end of the weekend instead of the day before/of the interview. Sometimes I have had to pay for hotel room for the extra nights, other times the company pays for it... That can be a bit hit or miss but still a trip to X city for Y days for the cost of a one or 2 night hotel room is a good deal.

I've also had a few ocassions where I've been able to stay with friends of family in the area or even have had the company fly my out of a different airport... At one point while interviewing for a position in the DC area, I had a company fly me in to IAD, interview, then catch the train to see family in Philadelphia and fly out of Philadelphia a few days later.

Sharebestcccam

Hope now you are working under google team and enjoying your self stay with Google Congrats its a big achievement..