Software Engineer Interview Experience - Cambridge, Massachusetts
July 1, 2010
Neutral ExperienceNo Offer
Process
A recruiter (HR) from Google set up a phone interview with an engineer from Google, based on my availability. The process was quick and easy.
After a few days, another interview was set up, and within five days, I received a response from the company. The interviews went as described, lasting one hour each.
The first was entirely technical. The second covered a wide range of topics.
Questions
How will you determine two graphs are the same?
What happens when you enter a URL in a browser?
How does a DNS system work?
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 28 interview experiences for the Google Software Engineer role in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Success Rate
21%
Pass Rate
Google's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in Cambridge, Massachusetts is very selective, failing most engineers who go through it.
Experience Rating
Positive61%
Neutral21%
Negative18%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Google's Software Engineer interview process in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Google Work Experiences
5.0
Exciting Projects, Impersonal Vibe
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
March 17, 2022
Pros: Lots of exciting projects within the company.
Cons: Can be a sometimes impersonal company to work in.
4.0
As good as I thought it would be
Software Engineer • Former Employee
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
September 1, 2008
Pros: Good compensation, great benefits, and great culture.
Also, the fact that after working with Google, you can basically pick where you want to work next.
Working on new and exciting projects (Android, etc.).
Learning from the best is a great way to enhance your skills and develop professionally.
Cons: You've got to put a lot of work in, and working with so many talented people can be intimidating. Some of the people (especially those who were here before the IPO) can be a little full of themselves (but most people are pretty down-to-earth). Also, with so many people working there, it can sometimes be easy to feel a little powerless, and you might not have the same sense of personal accomplishment that you do with a smaller startup.
5.0
Great projects, people, and pay
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
February 11, 2015
Pros: Smart bunch of people, projects that impact millions, leadership willing to take a long view that might take years to pay off, fair scope for decision making even at the bottom of the org chart. Offices, food, and benefits are all icing on top. Amazing opportunities to do big things if you can make the pitch and execute on it.
Cons: The promotion process can be slow and painful. You have to be a self-starter to identify a team with opportunities for growth and be really proactive about chasing these.
Working in remote offices can be difficult from a career point of view, depending on what projects are available. Every project I've worked on has felt somewhat Mountain View-centric; you have to adapt to that.
Obamacare is dragging health benefits down (across all companies, or so we're told).
- 5.0Exciting Projects, Impersonal VibeSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeCambridge, Massachusetts, United StatesMarch 17, 2022Pros: Lots of exciting projects within the company.Cons: Can be a sometimes impersonal company to work in.
- 4.0As good as I thought it would beSoftware Engineer • Former EmployeeCambridge, Massachusetts, United StatesSeptember 1, 2008Pros: Good compensation, great benefits, and great culture. Also, the fact that after working with Google, you can basically pick where you want to work next. Working on new and exciting projects (Android, etc.). Learning from the best is a great way to enhance your skills and develop professionally.Cons: You've got to put a lot of work in, and working with so many talented people can be intimidating. Some of the people (especially those who were here before the IPO) can be a little full of themselves (but most people are pretty down-to-earth). Also, with so many people working there, it can sometimes be easy to feel a little powerless, and you might not have the same sense of personal accomplishment that you do with a smaller startup.
- 5.0Great projects, people, and paySoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeCambridge, Massachusetts, United StatesFebruary 11, 2015Pros: Smart bunch of people, projects that impact millions, leadership willing to take a long view that might take years to pay off, fair scope for decision making even at the bottom of the org chart. Offices, food, and benefits are all icing on top. Amazing opportunities to do big things if you can make the pitch and execute on it.Cons: The promotion process can be slow and painful. You have to be a self-starter to identify a team with opportunities for growth and be really proactive about chasing these. Working in remote offices can be difficult from a career point of view, depending on what projects are available. Every project I've worked on has felt somewhat Mountain View-centric; you have to adapt to that. Obamacare is dragging health benefits down (across all companies, or so we're told).
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