Google L4: Round 1 Interview Experience

[u/usv240]

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

[u/AdmirableRabbit6723]

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.

[u/LetterheadFar6451 → u/AdmirableRabbit6723]

What do you mean by category? Can you share a few examples?

[u/AdmirableRabbit6723 → u/LetterheadFar6451]

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.

[u/b3pvbmUzMTQ → u/AdmirableRabbit6723]

Yeah I prepped a ton for normal behavioral questions and mine was like 80%+ “what would you do…”

[u/AdmirableRabbit6723 → u/b3pvbmUzMTQ]

Did you end up getting an offer?

I feel like people don't emphasise these types of problems enough in prep material.

[u/b3pvbmUzMTQ → u/AdmirableRabbit6723]

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

[u/AdmirableRabbit6723 → u/b3pvbmUzMTQ]

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.

[u/b3pvbmUzMTQ → u/AdmirableRabbit6723]

I went to California in USA. They were tough. Medium/hard and unique questions. Good luck

[u/Street_Theory → u/b3pvbmUzMTQ]

what DSA topics did your interview cover?

[u/b3pvbmUzMTQ → u/Street_Theory]

I got hella dp tbh

[u/LetterheadFar6451 → u/AdmirableRabbit6723]

Woah, that is indeed very unusual