Software Engineer Interview Experience - San Jose, California
February 1, 2016
Neutral ExperienceNo Offer
Process
It is a phone interview, basically testing my programming ability. First, I introduce myself, my background, and my intention. Then, the interviewer began to ask an algorithm question on Binary Tree. I did not answer it very well.
Questions
Write an algorithm to get the Maximum Height of a Binary Tree.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 61 interview experiences for the Google Software Engineer role in San Jose, California.
Success Rate
7%
Pass Rate
Google's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in San Jose, California is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive52%
Neutral36%
Negative11%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Google's Software Engineer interview process in San Jose, California.
Google Work Experiences
5.0
Genius Colleagues, Great Food
Software Engineer • Former Employee
San Jose, California, United States
November 10, 2016
Pros: Free, great food, surrounded by genius people, an incredible working atmosphere. Great for internships and for full-time jobs. And it's Google!
Cons: There is not much to say about the cons of working at Google, but if I had to choose one, it would be the pressure to finish all the work.
3.0
Too much politics
Software Engineer • Current Employee
San Jose, California, United States
August 12, 2025
Pros: Food, good work-life balance.
Cons: It has become the next Amazon. People are just playing a numbers game. No real innovation is supported or encouraged.
5.0
Great Pay, Hard Entry
Software Engineer • Current Employee
San Jose, California, United States
May 2, 2023
Pros: Google is a good company, as anyone would know. The salary is really good.
Cons: Even if the salary is good and all, the acceptance rate is really low. It is really hard to get into Google.
- 5.0Genius Colleagues, Great FoodSoftware Engineer • Former EmployeeSan Jose, California, United StatesNovember 10, 2016Pros: Free, great food, surrounded by genius people, an incredible working atmosphere. Great for internships and for full-time jobs. And it's Google!Cons: There is not much to say about the cons of working at Google, but if I had to choose one, it would be the pressure to finish all the work.
- 3.0Too much politicsSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Jose, California, United StatesAugust 12, 2025Pros: Food, good work-life balance.Cons: It has become the next Amazon. People are just playing a numbers game. No real innovation is supported or encouraged.
- 5.0Great Pay, Hard EntrySoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Jose, California, United StatesMay 2, 2023Pros: Google is a good company, as anyone would know. The salary is really good.Cons: Even if the salary is good and all, the acceptance rate is really low. It is really hard to get into Google.
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