Thread by @nikitonsky

Some fun stats from the Google interview thread ↓

It took the total of 5 recruiters to arrange the interview. Yep, literally, 5 (!) different people talked to me so far.

Time-wise it took ~30 days

This was the third time I’m applying to Google, still, they make me go through the screening call.

Why? Screening is supposed to be a very rough filter to check the lowest bar. It’s fine once, but why force it every year on the people you know have already passed it?

I chose Java as my main language.

3 out of 3 technical interviewers didn’t know about `var` keyword (available since Java 10). They thought I accidentally switched to Kotlin.

1 out of 1 didn’t know about records (in preview since Java 14)

I know, it’s a strange feeling that Java is a language that is actively changing now and you have to follow the updates to stay in the loop. But it is!

For an algorithmic problem, I managed to come up with a solution so simple even the interviewer was surprised.

He said that most of the people have FP background and come up with a much more complex design.

System design interviewer didn’t know about Consistent Hashing, despite asking me a textbook problem it’s used for.

Well, no matter what the outcome will be, I’m happy I had a chance to teach Google some Computer Science

3 out of 5 interviewers were Russian-speaking. Did they do that on purpose? Would be nice if they do (I’m also Russian)

One interviewer went to the same uni I went to, albeit 10 years later!

Overall, no matter the outcome, it was a fun day, talking to smart people who share your passion for the programming, and solving challenging problems. 10/10 would do again.

That’s it for now, will continue when they come back with the feedback.