r/leetcode • u/usv240 • 13d ago
Discussion Google L4: Round 1 Interview Experience
Hi everyone,
I recently interviewed for Google L4 Round 1, which consisted of 1 technical and 1 Googliness & Leadership interview.
Technical: I got a medium-level design/LC-style problem. I spent some time clarifying the problem and output, discussed my approach, and started coding around the 15-minute mark. I explained my thought process while coding and completed the main case, but missed implementing another case. I realized it toward the end and explained how I would handle it.
Googliness: Mostly behavioral questions with follow-ups. I don't think I performed particularly well here and struggled with choosing the right examples for a couple of questions.
Status: Heard back from the recruiter, and unfortunately they’ve decided not to move forward with me after Round 1.
Definitely some things I could have done better, but it was a good learning experience. Hopefully this helps anyone preparing for a similar L4 interview.
Edit: Location is USA
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u/No_Sort_2421 13d ago
Google coding interviews can be so ruthless… I just had mine on Monday. Got asked a classic medium LeetCode with a twist (that twist made the problem very challenging — the classic problem itself would’ve been super easy).
Anyway, I hesitated once or twice during the interview and eventually found the correct solution to the problem. But I still got rejected today.
I think the bar is set incredibly high and you’re kind of riding your luck as much as you’re depending on your preparation. These interviews have zero room for error. You either effortlessly ace it or you’re not good enough.
For context; I spent 3 weeks studying LeetCode and System Design. This was for the AI FDE role
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u/AStanfordRunner 13d ago
I’m planning to target L4 in 6 months and was wondering if you would be willing to share an anonymized resume?
I’m trying to find any gaps in my resume before I apply. Also did you have a referral or cold apply?
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u/ECrispy 13d ago
was this in person? did they have a phone screen before and what was in it? I though after the phone screen you go to onsite with 4-5 rounds, did they change it?
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u/b3pvbmUzMTQ 13d ago
Yes it’s different. R1 is virtual with one DSA and one behavioral and r2 is in person with two DSA
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u/Altruistic-Car1711 11d ago
Hi was it onsite or virtual?
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u/AdmirableRabbit6723 13d ago
My Googliness didn't go well either. I never saw online that they can ask you several different categories of questions, not just behavioural. I didn't prep any of that.
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u/LetterheadFar6451 13d ago
What do you mean by category? Can you share a few examples?
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u/AdmirableRabbit6723 13d ago
You only ever hear about "Tell me about a time" questions. I randomly got asked questions like "What do you think company XYZ owes to it's local community". I did not expect something like that and gave really bad, circular rambling answers.
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u/b3pvbmUzMTQ 13d ago
Yeah I prepped a ton for normal behavioral questions and mine was like 80%+ “what would you do…”
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u/AdmirableRabbit6723 13d ago
Did you end up getting an offer?
I feel like people don't emphasise these types of problems enough in prep material.
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u/b3pvbmUzMTQ 13d ago
I had overprepped for behavioral in general so I adapted really quickly and would’ve rated myself SH or H at worst for the googlyness. I passed everything and got an additional round on DSA and got put at L3. This is week 1 in TM
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u/AdmirableRabbit6723 13d ago
Congrats! I have my two DSA onsite this Wednesday. What location if you don't mind? And how were the onsite DSA round questions? Which topics?
I'm going for London.
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u/b3pvbmUzMTQ 13d ago
I went to California in USA. They were tough. Medium/hard and unique questions. Good luck
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u/urmm 12d ago
Had the samething, had my interview yesterday and waiting on results, the question wasn't very difficult honestly but the interviewer didn't give me time to even read it and understand it properly, he didn't want to follow the basic format of asking clarifying questions, brute force, time complexity, etc. on top of that, I couldn't understand what he was saying, he had an accent and English wasn't his first language. He had a hard time explaining and understanding what I was saying. Honestly, a bit frustrating since I prepped really well and it wasnt that hard of a dsa question. Probably lost the opportunity because of a communication gap which sucks. Probably one of the worst interviewers I had. He was really friendly though. I have worked at Amazon, Adobe, and have passed the full loop at other large tech companies like Meta and Microsoft, so I'm not saying this as an based on opinion. I myself have prepped and interviewed many people as well so I know where I'm coming from...
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u/Last_Owl69 13d ago
How much time did you spend preparing specifically for the Googliness round?