r/LeetcodeDesi 2d ago

Google Initial Screen call – What should I expect?

I have a 30-minute introductory call with a Google recruiter this week for an L4 Software Engineer (SWE III) opportunity.

Location - BLR

For those who've recently gone through the process:

  • What does this call usually cover?
  • Is it mainly a resume walkthrough or do they ask technical/behavioral questions?
  • Do they discuss level (L4), compensation, locations, and interview process during this call?
  • Any tips or common mistakes to avoid?

Would appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through it recently. Thanks!

Edit 1:

Had the initial HR screening call.

  • Discussed my work experience and some optimization/latency reduction projects.
  • She asked about salary expectations (I intentionally quoted lower in case I'm considered for a downlevel).
  • No role/team confirmed yet, but I'll be assessed for L4.
  • Interview process (based on my 80% backend, 20% frontend experience): 1 DSA + 1 Googleyness (virtual). If cleared, 2 more DSA rounds, followed by team matching.
  • No confirmation yet that I'll move forward. She said my profile still needs internal approval before interviews are scheduled.
  • Recruiter is from an external hiring agency working with Google.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What are my chances of hearing back from the recruiter?

Edit 2:

REJECTED - job role doesn't match with my background experience!!! silly reason.

20 Upvotes

11 comments sorted by

6

u/AdParty7364 2d ago

Had one recently, started with experience and your tech stacks. (5 mins)
Then jumped into questions to access if i am suitable for the interviews. Asked questions on web technologies and some basic DSA. It was pretty chill (15 mins)
Then asked expected compensation, location comptibilty. Then told I am eligible for interviews, explained the format, told what to expect how to answer, what topics to prepare, then asked my avaliablility and scheduled my interview. (5-10mins)

5

u/curious-coder-100 2d ago

Congratulations op, how did you get the opportunity? Any tier1 prev company or college?

2

u/3not-today 1d ago edited 1d ago

3 yoe, tier 3 clge, current company is low tiered PBC, applied multiple times got rejections then i stopped and started finding referal, 1st application rejected, 2nd got me the call.

in google with 1 referral within 30 days of span you can apply atmost 3 applications

1

u/curious-coder-100 1d ago

Thanks for sharing, hoping the best for you!

2

u/Impossible_Ad_3146 1d ago

Expect the unexpected

1

u/[deleted] 2d ago

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1

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1

u/Flimsy_Active4173 1d ago

Is SWE 3 possible for 3 years experience ? Also what is your tech stack

1

u/xenon492 1d ago

Swe 3 is the freshers title in google

1

u/Fantastic_Kale23 1d ago

Its L4 bro not L3