I applied online. The process took 6 months. I interviewed at Google (New York, NY) in Aug 2009
Interview
Google has very interesting opportunities, and detailed their position profiles well so you have a clear idea when you interview what the gig is about. However, they dont share any feedback ever, and the process lasted six months with 12 interviews in total. Their interview questions were thoughtful and meaty, and you have to know your stuff when you are interviewing with them. However, they dont build on the answers, and one has the impression they have a drop down menu memeorized in their heads of the questions to ask, and they write the answers down, but they are not necessarily considering the answer. Their office space in NY and CA is very cool, and they try hard to keep it that way. But while many believe Google is the holy grail, Google still needs to protect their brand, give feedback to candidates and significantly shorten the process.
The interview experience was decent. The questions were mostly role-focused and the interviewers were knowledgeable. However, the process could be improved with clearer timelines for feedback. Overall, it was a good learning experience.
The interview process consisted of an initial HR screening, followed by a technical interview focused on practical skills and problem-solving. The final stage included a discussion with the team or hiring manager about experience, expectations, and cultural fit.
