In late July, I received an email from a Google Recruiter stating that my profile looked impressive and they wished to proceed with interviews for the Software Engineer University Graduate-2025 role.

The interview process involved three rounds. Two of these were scheduled concurrently, and a third would be determined by my performance in the initial two.

The interviews were structured as follows:

1. 60 minutes: Technical (Coding & DSA) + Googleyness
2. 45 minutes: Technical (Coding & DSA)
3. 60 minutes: Technical (Coding & DSA) + Googleyness

My first two rounds were scheduled for late August. The first interview did not go well, although the interviewer acknowledged my impressive resume, projects, and experiences, even noting my good growth mindset. The second interview was better; I was able to complete the coding challenge, despite making some regrettable, minor errors.

I was informed that a third interview would follow and that dates would be provided soon. I waited almost a month for a response, emailing the recruiter approximately four to five times with no reply. I had begun to lose hope when the recruiter finally emailed back, explaining a delay due to being Out of Office and unwell.

My third interview was then scheduled for a day in late September. However, on the day of the interview, it was postponed at the last minute due to an interviewer's urgent commitment. I was naturally disappointed. They rescheduled it again for a date in early October, for which I was grateful as it provided more time to prepare.

This time, the coding round went well. I presented a brute-force solution but was unable to identify an optimal one. The Googleyness round, however, proceeded very successfully.

Feedback:

1. Coding (poor) + Googleyness (average)
2. Coding (good)
3. Coding (good, but not optimal) + Googleyness (very good)

Describe an experience when you had assumed something about your coworker and it turned out wrong.