Software Engineering Interview Experience - Mountain View, California
Process
I applied online and then had two phone interviews over a Google Doc.
They followed the typical interview format: they started by talking about what they do at Google for a few minutes, asked me a few questions, and then presented me with the main question.
I was later scheduled for a third phone interview. I believe they can make hiring decisions after just two interviews, though. Since I performed very well in one interview and only adequately in the other, I wasn't surprised that they wanted to see me do another interview. The question in the third interview was harder than the ones I received in the first two.
Overall, it was a pretty painless process, and Google's scheduling is very streamlined.
Questions
Signed a NDA, but they were pretty basic programming interview questions. Nothing too insane or out of the ordinary.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 16 interview experiences for the Google Software Engineering role in Mountain View, California.
Success Rate
Google's interview process for their Software Engineering roles in Mountain View, California is very selective, failing most engineers who go through it.
Experience Rating
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Google's Software Engineering interview process in Mountain View, California.
Google Work Experiences
- 3.0Good projects, good people, but lots of chaosSoftware Engineering • Current EmployeeMountain View, California, United StatesApril 2, 2025Pros: - You get to work with smart people. - If you're on the right team, you can work on cutting-edge tech.Cons: - Too many reorgs and shifting priorities recently. - Work-life balance is not as good as it used to be, but the extra effort also often goes unrecognized.
- 4.0Great benefits. The people depend on the groupSoftware Engineering • Former EmployeeMountain View, California, United StatesDecember 17, 2008Pros: Everyone knows they have great benefits. Apart from that, they also have an amazing amount of resources, excellent process guidelines, and great information sources to improve in your work. The people are really talented, and most are willing to help you. If you land in a good group, you'll have a dream job. If not, you'll be stuck in a regular job, but it will still have a lot of great things attached to it, so how is it worse or different than other jobs? The food is as great or better than what people say about it. The weather in Mountain View also helps.Cons: People really do feel entitled. I've seen some of the pettiest, most childish, and selfish behavior from Googlers. Of course, they're not all like that, but it can get embarrassing to watch. Also, some groups really do behave like a bunch of college freshmen or even preschoolers. For people who have a few more years of experience, I doubt they will find this to be a comfortable work environment. Some people really do consider themselves to be superior to others just because they work there.
- 5.0Best place in the worldSoftware Engineering • Former EmployeeMountain View, California, United StatesNovember 7, 2008Pros: Simply a great place to work. There are plenty of videos and articles about how Google is the best place to work, and it's all true.Cons: None, at all. Seriously. If anything, they provide such a great work environment that I don't want to leave... ever.
Google Interview Questions
