Google Interview Questions

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Google Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Year after year, Google ranks as one of the most popular companies in the world. They’re known for their impressive business models, unmatched web and software development, and top-notch company culture, with some of the highest employee satisfaction rates among modern businesses. So, you may be thinking, what does it take to land a gig at Google?

Well, getting a job at Google is no walk in the park. In fact, it’s easier to get an acceptance letter into Harvard than it is to land a role working for the billion-dollar tech giant, or so they say. But, with the right prep work and job qualifications, it’s much more attainable than you might think.

To help you land your dream role working for Google, we’ve rounded up all the insider information you need to stand out in your job application, nail your interviews, and get hired. We’ll walk you through Google’s intensive interview process and even tell you some of the best ways to answer Google’s most common job interview questions.

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Typical Interview Process at Google

There’s no way around it; getting a job at Google takes precision, professionalism, and extreme skill. But, knowing what to expect and thoroughly preparing for your job interview is essential to get hired by the corporation running the world’s most popular search engine.

Understanding Google’s interview and onboarding process will ensure that you come across as an informed, composed, and the capable applicant and even help you have a more successful interview experience.

Here’s a rough rundown of what to expect at your Google job interview:

Submit an application. Submitting an online job application is the first and one of the most important steps of the interview process.

For roles at Google, it’s especially important to personalize your resume and cover letter and apply only for jobs you are most qualified for. Only the most precise and polished job applicants typically advance in Google’s rigorous hiring process.
Online assessments. If your skills and experience match those listed in the job description, you’ll most likely be asked to complete an online assessment, which further tests your knowledge and technical abilities.

For example, if you’re applying for a position as a software developer, you’ll probably be asked to complete a coding assessment.
Initial screening interviews. Successful completion of your online assessment will typically advance you to the next step in the interview process — the initial screening. At this point, you’ll be contacted by Google recruiters and human resources representatives and asked to participate in one or two shorter screening interviews.

These initial interviews are most often done via phone or video chat and consist of 10 to 30 minutes conversations focused on your resume, professional qualifications, soft skills, and overall knowledge of Google.
Showcase your skills. If you make a good impression during your initial screening interviews, don’t be surprised if you’re asked to showcase your skills yet again. Depending on the specific role you’re interviewing for, you may be asked to complete another assessment or project, like a short case study or a code sample.
In-person interviews. Finally, it’s time for your in-person interviews. This is one of the most grueling aspects of Google’s hiring process, but it’s also your opportunity to really let your skills shine and prove that you’re the best-suited applicant for the role.

At this point, you’ll probably be asked to do three or four on-site interviews in one day. Typically, you’ll interview with human resource representatives, company managers, and senior staff members. Google uses open-ended questions and a structured interviewing process, so all your interview answers will be evaluated using a structured rubric.
Final employment decision. Once all interviews are completed, Google hiring managers will review your application and interviews and make a final decision regarding employment. If you aced your application and interview, this is the point that you’ll be presented with a concrete job offer.

After accepting a job offer from Google, you’ll be given more information on compensation, benefits, badging, and insurance.

7 Common Google Interview Questions with Example Answers

To help bring you one step closer to getting hired for your dream job with Google, we’ve rounded up the seven most common interview questions with example answers and specific tips on what to say to put your best foot forward, highlight your most desirable skills, and qualifications, and get hired by the international tech giant.

Reviewing some of the most common interview questions asked by Google hiring managers will help you prepare and go into the interview with a clear head and a precise and thought-out plan of what to say. Doing a mock interview with these typically asked questions before the big day can be a great way of setting yourself up for success and getting ready for your job interview.

Here are the top seven most commonly asked Google interview questions and example answers:

What is your favorite Google product and why? Google hiring managers love to ask this question to gauge your familiarity with the multinational technology company.

This common interview question offers a great platform to showcase your knowledge of Google’s products and your enthusiasm and eagerness to work for the company, and how you can make them better.

How to Answer: As long as you stay confident, truthful, and eager, there’s really no right or wrong way to answer this open-ended question. However, doing your research ahead of time and preparing a solid answer to this question will help you come across as a stronger and more knowledgeable, and capable job candidate.

Another great way of standing out through your interview answer is by highlighting lesser-known aspects of some of Google’s most popular products or even offering a way to make your favorite Google service, platform, or product even better.

Example Answer:

It may seem simple, but my favorite product by far is Google Translate. I’ve used this product repeatedly, both in my career and my personal life, and it never fails to help me communicate with people I otherwise may not have been able to.

Communicating with people from different cultures and backgrounds, sharing ideas, and learning from each other, is the essence of life, and without a service like Google translate, doing this would be hindersome. At my last company, this platform was a key player in several global acquisitions and partnerships I led.

If we could expand the platform so that people of all walks of life, from all different cultures, had easy access to it, I think the world we live in today would be a much more accepting place.
In your opinion, what makes Google stand out from its competitors? No matter how you look at it, Google stands out on its own, but hiring managers are still looking to hear specific reasons from applicants as to what makes Google different.

How to Answer: If you haven't gotten the memo yet: extensive research is key to a successful job interview at Google. Researching ahead of time will help you deliver a clear and concise answer to this common interview question. Discussing aspects of Google’s culture or business plan are great things to include in your answer.

Example Answer:

I think Google’s culture and business branding makes it stand out from competitors like Microsoft and Facebook. Because Google has such great brand awareness, customers trust Google products and services, allowing for increased users across all company platforms.

Google’s profit streams reflect that brand awareness and user trust, allowing for the company to triumph over its competitors.
What can you bring to the Google team that other applicants can not? This is just another way of hiring managers asking the age-old “Why do you want to work here?” job interview question.

How to Answer: Highlighting your strongest, most unique skills and qualifications is essential when answering this common Google interview question. Talking about your top-notch technical skills, previous software experience, or expert project management abilities can help you make a lasting impression during your job interview.

Example Answer:

I have outstanding Python, C++, and JavaScript abilities and over six years of experience working in software development. Unlike some of my peers, I have a proven track record of managing databases and increasing profitability for large tech corporations.

I’m a natural-born leader and have the persistence and passion for helping Google grow and continue down a path of success.
Explain to me the importance of page views and users. If you’re interviewing for a job at Google, you probably know how vital page views and user experience are to the company’s profitability and success. No matter what position you’re applying for within the company, you should expect to be asked a few interview questions like this one.

How to Answer: One great way of answering this common Google interview question is by explaining the difference between page views and users and offering some insight into why each is so important to Google’s business plan and ultimate success within the big tech industry.

Example Answer:

While users and page views are both equally important to Google’s success, it’s important to note that they are not the same. Users account for how many individual people use a specific website, while page views don’t account for individual people but rather define the total number of views a specific website page gets.

When analyzing the combined data of overall page views and users, we can evaluate what content and web platforms are most interesting to users and thus gain a deeper understanding of what users are most drawn to. Doing this then allows us to target users through advertisements and similar websites and increase company revenue streams.
What technical skills do you have that could benefit Google? To land your dream job at Google, you’ll need to have a pretty refined professional skill set. Technical skills are highly valued at the company, so make sure to put your best foot forward and highlight your strengths when answering this interview question.

How to Answer: Depending on the position you’re interviewing for, you should try to tailor your interview answer to the technical skills required for that specific role.

Generally speaking, discussing your coding skills, your understanding of complex data structures, and your familiarity with software engineering, software development, and network maintenance is a great way of answering this common Google interview question.

Example Answer:

I’m confident that my coding skills could significantly benefit Google. I’m highly skilled in Python, Java, and C++ programming language and have a deep understanding of cryptography and abstract math.

In addition, I also pride myself on my ability to quickly and accurately understand complex data structures and system algorithms, which I know could help improve Google’s operating systems.
How would you handle false information spreading on Google platforms? In this day and age, the spread of false information can be especially detrimental to Google’s success. While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, they’re not entitled to their own facts — that’s where Google steps in.

By asking this common interview question, hiring managers are aiming to evaluate an applicant’s problem-solving skills and general professional abilities.

How to Answer: Illustrating the importance of delivering users with factual information and pointing out the detrimental effects false information can have on Google’s branding and high levels of user trust is a perfect way of answering this tough and open-ended interview question.

Example Answer:

When information circulating on any Google platform is not clearly labeled or depicted as opinion or comedy, I think it’s our responsibility to either remove it completely or flag the page as containing false or misleading information.

Part of our responsibility at Google is to our users, and that means delivering them with factual and true information.

When it comes to potential false, misleading, or misguided information, I think decisions should be made on a case-to-case basis with counseling from Google attorneys. Failing to do anything could potentially damage Google’s branding and reputation.
Tell me how you would go about increasing Google’s user base. In general, hiring managers at Google are looking to onboard new creative professionals, which will allow Google to advance and continue on a trajectory towards success.

Google’s constantly looking for ways to improve and further expand its reach and user base. In that sense, the way you answer this interview question can be one of the deciding factors in whether or not you will ultimately get hired by this global technology company.

How to Answer: Try to be unique in your answer by discussing specific and well-thought-out ideas. Illustrating how you could expand Google services to underdeveloped areas, launch new online platforms, or expand service across more devices are all great answers to this common Google job interview question.

Example Answer:

It’s no doubt that one of Google’s biggest competitors is Apple, so I think expanding Google products on the iPhone and other Apple platforms could significantly increase Google’s user base and profitability. Synchronizing Google products with the iPhone could significantly expand the company’s user base.

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Google Interview Questions