How to Preparation For Software Engineer for a Google Interview

Today, almost every engineer thinks of working with Google. But, what really it takes to connect with Google as a Software Engineer? Is Google your dream company and do you want to work there? Below you will read what all it takes to prepare well for and crack the Software Engineer interview at Google.

Software Engineer vs. Software Developer

You must have heard of the terms Software developer and Software engineer. These two are used interchangeably but, some similarities within them exist with distinctions as well. Let’s dive in to know more in detail.

What Does a Google Software Engineer Do?

We think that cracking Google interviews is a hefty job. But, the hidden fact is working at Google is tougher than the interviews that you have given. You will be provided with a bunch of responsibilities as a Software engineer, and you will work on the following things there:

• Write code
• Write unit-tests
• Build the code
• Run Tests and debug failures
• Review peer’s code changes
• Read and write bug reports
• Debug the problems which arise in production
• Read and write design documents

Software Engineer Interview Process at Google

There are two prime rounds in a Google Software Engineer Interview:

1. First Phone Screen

Here, the interviewer conducts beginning screening rounds and will test you based on your complete ability to solve basic coding problems with a little assistance of programming basics.

1.1. Phone Screen with Recruiter

This discussion is the initial conversation between you and the recruiter. Here, the recruiter has to access your work history and test your entire technical skills. The recruiter removes many candidates in this round and you need to take this round a bit more seriously.

1.2. Technical Phone Screen by an Engineer

In the starting 45 minutes, the interviewer will ask you general questions related to coding regarding the projects you have already worked on. They may also ask you to solve the problem using Google docs.

1.3. Interview With an Engineer

In the end round of screening, you will get a chance to prove yourself in a 45-minute discussion with one of the engineers, where they will ask you certain technical questions.

2. Onsite Interviews

It is based on 3–5 rounds comprising coding and technical skill tests. Each of them is 45 minutes long. In your onsite interviews, the interviewer will test your skills in system design, data structures, and algorithms. Besides, you will also have an informal lunch interview.

How to Prepare for Google Software Engineer Interview

The basic key to preparing for Software Engineer Google Interview is understanding the concepts to cover and practice constantly. Following is what you need to cover:

• Be a little familiar with at least one programming language and its concepts.
• Know how various algorithms run and their complexities.
• Learn basic maths-related problems such as statistics and probability.
• Try to solve famous problems on queues, hashmap, linked list, stack, etc.
• Know all the processes, concurrency, and threads related to various operating systems.

Google Software Engineer Sample Interview Questions

Once you are aware of what topics to cover, practice as many problems as you can. But, you need to really bring up a great approach to solving problems. During your interview, you will have to face a question that you haven’t seen before. Hence, while practicing, just focus well not only on getting the solution but also the way you solve it.

Following are a few examples of Software Engineer Google Questions to begin with:

1. You are given a Singly Linked List “K”, now write a code to choose a specific “random” node from the list.
2. You are provided a binary tree, now write code to print the bottom view of the tree from left to right.
3. Explain the entire procedure to apply BFS and DFS in an offered paragraph.
4. Create a platform like Instagram.
5. Create a typeahead prediction feature keyboard.
6. You are provided a string “K”, write a function to remove duplicates from the string.
7. Create a chatbot.
8. You are provided two sorted Linked lists, “A” and “B”, now write a code to collide the two linked lists.

Moreover, some behavioral questions are also used to access your interest in the work, your soft skills, and if you are a good fit for the future of the company. So, while answering these questions, be genuine, and always provide your answers with good examples. Following are a few Software Engineer Google Questions:

1. How do you tackle an uncooperative individual at your workplace?
2. How do you tackle any failure while working as a team?
3. How do you tackle stress at work?
4. How do you maintain a work-life balance?
5. Tell us about a situation when you had to convince your manager to alter the course of a project.
6. Explain how you will make an impact on your team after you join the company.
7. How frequently do you think employees require vacations?
8. How do you develop effective relationships with your team members?

Tips to Crack the Google Software Engineer Interview

• Learn the basics.
• Practice more solving problems using paper and pencil.
• Make a study list of all the technical topics to cover.
• Make a good schedule for your preparation.

Wrapping Up

So, now you are well aware of how to prepare for a Software Engineer Interview at Google. All the above tips and processes will help you in landing your dream job as a Software Engineer at Google. These all will help you in your interview preparation and don’t miss out on important topics.