Google | Software Engineer, University Graduate | [Result: Rejected]

Google | Software Engineer, University Graduate | [Result: Rejected]

Status: Final year B.Tech CSE student
Position: Software Engineer, University Graduate, 2025
Location: Off-campus
Date: December 2024


Interviewing with Google has been an incredible journey filled with valuable lessons and unforgettable experiences. While I didn’t make it through to the final offer, I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to challenge myself and grow during the process.


Interview Process

Round 1: DSA (1 hour) [Date - 11/11/2024]

  • Question 1: Find the node in a graph that could act as the root of a tree. This problem tested my understanding of graph traversal techniques.
  • Question 2: Determine if the levels of a tree were alternately colored. This required logic and a clear grasp of tree properties.

Round 2: DSA (1 hour) [Date - 25/11/2024]

  • Question: Given match outcomes between n players, determine if it’s possible to rank all players precisely. This graph theory problem revolved around dependencies and ordering.

Round 3: DSA (45 minutes) + Googliness (15minutes) [Date - 16/12/2024]

  • Question: Allocate rooms to interns in an apartment based on their preferences to maximize the number of satisfied interns. This required solving a combinatorial optimization problem.

Round 4: DSA (45 minutes) + Googliness (15minutes) [Date - 13/01/2025]

  • Question: Given a rectangular PCB board with n components, find the maximum number of components that can be touched by a single straight line (horizontal or vertical). This required analytical and geometric reasoning.

Result

After waiting for a week after the final round, I got rejected.


Reflections

Although the outcome wasn’t what I hoped for, this experience taught me resilience, problem-solving, and the importance of preparation. It has only strengthened my resolve to work harder and come back stronger.

If you’re navigating interviews or facing rejections, remember: failure is a stepping stone to success. Keep learning, stay positive, and believe in yourself! 💪

Feel free to connect with me if you have any questions about the process or need guidance—I’d love to help!

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