Reading time: 30 minutes

SUMMARY

Are you applying for a Google 2024/25 graduate scheme or preparing for your upcoming Google assessment tests? Find everything you need for your Google assessment practice applicable across the globe including the UK and the US in this guide. 

Our website provides scientifically validated practice assessments tests, interviews and assessment centre exercises that can be used to practice and prepare for the Google hiring and assessment process.

Not sure if you should practice to prepare for the Google assessments? According to research, 60-80% of candidates are rejected based on their aptitude tests results. It is proven that practice increases your chances of getting hired.

A recent study (Bradley et al, 2019) found that candidates who do not practise assessments, tend to fail at the first hurdle of psychometric assessments (54%-84%). This study looked at the Top 100 global employers.

IN A NUTSHELL

How to prepare for the Google assessment process and tests to get the job?

  1. Complete your Google Online Application 
  • Fill in your personal, educational, and contact details in the online application form. 
  • Research Google to understand Google’s values, the job role and company culture accurately. 
  • Rebuild your old resume including the keywords and competencies mentioned in the job description.

2. Practice for Google Online Assessments  

Prepare for various aptitude tests such as:

Depending on your job role, you may also take coding tests , mechanical tests, and other role-specific assessments. Practice is essential as these tests sift out 50-80% of candidates. 

3. Record Mock Video Interviews of Yourself

This Google phone screening interview will be a technical phone screen with your employer once or twice, where you will be required to answer the technical questions (related to your job) and carry out some tasks as required by your interviewer. This interview will last for about 45-60 mins each.

Prepare for your Google online video interview by running mock interviews and answering typical banking interview questions. For Google Interview practice, use the following:

Use the STAR+R method for your answers and practice each answer several times.

Or use GF’s video interview preparation tool, you can nail your technique in recording answers, and answering those critical Competency and Tech-Industry questions.

4. Ace the Google On-site Interview 

Prepare for 3-4 on-site interviews at Google and get face-to-face with your interviewers. Here you will be tested based on the following skills: 

  1. Google General Cognitive Ability
  2. Google Leadership Skills 
  3. Google Role-related Knowledge (RRK)
  4. Googliness

To prepare for these interviews use our video interview practice platform with predefined competency-based questions and emulate the experience you will have in your Google interview

Use the STAR+R method for your answers and practice each answer several times.

Continue reading to get answers to these critical questions:

  1. How do I apply for a job at Google?
  2. What is the typical Google recruitment process?
  3. How to prepare for Google online assessments?
  4. How to prepare for Google interviews?
  5. How to participate in Google graduate programs?

Start your Google assessment practice today by simply clicking on the table below, which contains relevant assessments critical for your upcoming Google assessment. 

Relevant Assessments to GooglePractice Now  
Numerical Reasoning Start Practicing 
Verbal Reasoning Start Practicing 
Situational Judgement Test Start Practicing
Video Interviews Start Practicing 

Go Premium to access all the assessments listed above and ace your Google assessments, first time.

Before we dive further into the Google assessment tests, let’s discover more about the company first.

Introduction to Google

Who is Google? 

Founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998, Google is a multinational technology company that focuses on artificial intelligence, search engine, online advertising, cloud computing, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, and consumer electronics. 

With a workforce of 178,234 employees, Google is the largest subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. and is currently run by CEO Sundar Pichai. Google has been referred to as “the most powerful company in the world”, as even the biggest companies rely on Google for online advertising and information. This includes this article!

Google Mission and Vision statements

What are the mission and vision statements of Google? 

When you are applying for Google, keep in mind that you are going to be a part of that team that is chasing its goal rapidly. To understand that goal, do remember Google’s Mission and Vision statements.  

  • Mission: “To get things done” 
  • Vision: “Provide an important service to the world-instantly delivering relevant information on virtually any topic.”

Build on Google’s values to understand what is expected of you at Google. Read on to find out.

Google’s Core Values

What are Google’s core values? 

  1. Focus on the User: Google’s primary focus is on providing value to its users. They aim to create products and services that meet the needs of their users and improve their lives.
  1. It’s Best to Do One Thing Really, Really Well: Google believes in the power of specialization. They aim to excel in the areas with  expertise and have made significant contributions to the internet through their search engine.
  1. Fast Is Better Than Slow: Google values speed and efficiency in everything they do, from product development to providing search results. They aim to deliver quick and responsive experiences to users.
  1. Democracy on the Web Works: Google supports the idea that the Internet should be an open and accessible platform where anyone can express their views and access information.
  1. You Don’t Need to Be at Your Desk to Need an Answer: Google strives to make information and answers available to users wherever they are, whether they are on a computer or a mobile device.
  1. You Can Make Money Without Doing Evil: Google emphasizes ethical business practices and values the trust of its users. They aim to make money while maintaining a strong moral and ethical compass.
  1. There’s Always More Information Out There: Google believes that there is always more to learn and discover, and they are committed to organizing the world’s information and making it accessible to everyone.
  1. The Need for Information Crosses All Borders: Google recognizes that information knows no boundaries and aims to make its services available to people all over the world, regardless of location or language.
  1. You Can Be Serious Without a Suit: Google values a casual and flexible work environment where innovation can thrive. They encourage a culture of creativity and collaboration.
  1. Great Just Isn’t Good Enough: Google believes in constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. They strive for excellence and aim to exceed expectations in everything they do.

Google Application tip: When applying for any role at Google, keep in mind what the company expects from you. When answering the interview questions, use this opportunity to show that you stand for the same principles as Google and show that you’re as ambitious as Google is. 

What job roles are available at Google?

Remember, Google is much more than just a search engine. Your new role could be in any number of business areas such as:

Engineering and Technology Sales, Service, and Support
Marketing and CommunicationsDesign 
Business Strategy Finance
Legal People & HR
Facilities

We recommend you do some further extensive research on Google. We have come up with a few pointers on what areas you should focus your research in order to ace your Google application. 

Google: How to Research

  1. Explore Google’s products and services: Do some research to help build your knowledge ahead of your application and interview rounds. 
  1. Focus on recent news: Research recent news and press releases by Google, and think about what your stance about these things are. 
  1. Understand the problems: Find out the problems being faced by Google in the area where your expertise can be of some use to them.
  1. Understand their marketing strategy: Read about and understand Google’s strategy thoroughly. Find out what you like best about this.
  1. Find a personal connection: Find something you relate strongly with. For example, their carbon-free energy by 2030 initiative or increasing leadership representation of Black, Latino, and Native American Googlers by 30% – three years ahead of the 2025 aim. 

Now, buckle up as we dive into the Google recruitment process.

Google Recruitment Process

What is the Google recruitment process?

The Google hiring process typically consists of 4 key stages. Each stage presents a new challenge, with elaborate tasks that can be nerve-racking without preparation. 

You might expect to face some mini-assignments or tests in and amongst these stages, which we will discuss as we move forward. So, the main four stages of the Google recruitment process are: 

  1. Google Online Application & Resume Review
  2. Google Online Assessments
  3. Google Virtual Interview / Google Phone Screens
  4. Google On-Site Interviews

Let’s discuss each of these stages in detail. 

Google Online Application & Resume Review

What is the Google online application process? 

The Google Online Application is the first step towards being a Googler. Googlers strongly suggest you self-reflect before you apply, ask yourself questions related to the things you’re passionate about, such as:

  • What is something you learned from your past professional or personal experiences that makes everything easier?
  • Have more of your successes to date resulted from solitary effort or as part of a team?
  • What do you prefer to do, solving the problem given or extending the discussion? etc. 

It is after this self-reflection section that you must start your Google online application where you will be required to fill in details such as: 

  1. Personal information 
  2. Contact details 
  3. Educational qualification 
  4. Work experience 
  5. Upload Resume and cover letter
Google online application
Google Online Application Form
Source: Google Careers

Google Application tip: The Self Reflection step is essential to making you a Googler, rather than just any candidate. Don’t be tempted to skip this section. Take the time to reflect ahead of your application.

The most important element of the Google online application is uploading your resume. Google lays emphasis on the resume of the applicants since there are not many tests involved. 

Your resume for Google should be one that clearly answers the question of “Who you are”. The person who looks at your resume should immediately feel the need to invite you for the interviews and get to know you better. 

If you want first-hand tips on how to prepare for your Google online application, don’t miss the following short video: 

How to Prepare For a Job Application Form | Job Application & CV Tips #shorts

Next up, we move to the first round of assessment of your recruitment process, the Google online assessments or online aptitude tests. 

Back to Contents

Google Online Assessments

What are the Google online assessments?

The Google online assessment tests are meant to assess your skills and knowledge in areas relevant to the role you have applied for. It helps Google evaluate your technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and cognitive skills.

This Google online assessments round is mainly for the candidates who have applied for a technical role. These online assessments may consist of psychometric tests and various role-specific assessments. The psychometric tests that you may be required to take at Google are:  

  1. Google Numerical reasoning test 
  2. Google Verbal reasoning test
  3. Google Situational judgement test

Google Online Assessments tip: Besides the above Google psychometric assessments, you will also be required to take assessments such as Google coding tests or tests related to programming languages, algorithms, data structures, system design, or other technical aspects relevant to the role.

Let’s tackle each of these one by one, starting with the Google numerical reasoning test.

1. Google Numerical Reasoning Test

What is the Google numerical reasoning test?

The Google numerical reasoning test will assess your ability to understand and interpret numerical data, make calculations, and draw conclusions based on the information provided. By assessing your numerical reasoning skills, Google aims to gauge your problem-solving abilities, logical thinking, attention to detail, and overall numerical proficiency.

What qualities does the Google numerical reasoning test assess?

The Google numerical test assesses your: 

  1. Ability to extract data from graphs, tables, pie charts, etc. 
  2. Ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations as well as ability to work with algebra, geometry, calculus, etc for those who are applying for engineering and technical roles. 
  3. Ability to identify trends using charts, graphs and statistics and make predictions accordingly.  

Gain key insights in this under 1 minute video about numerical reasoning tests similar to the Google numerical reasoning test:

What Is a Numerical Reasoning Test? #shorts
TOP 7 TIPS TO PASS THE GOOGLE NUMERICAL REASONING TEST

Below, we have provided 7 top tips which will help you ace your Google assessment questions and tackle the time pressure:

  1. Revise basic mathematics concepts such as percentage, average, currency conversion, interest calculation, etc. as these will appear on these tests.
  1. Practice numerical reasoning questions in a similar environment beforehand to understand the format and experience of these tests. 
  1. Manage Your Time: as these tests are timed, so practice solving problems within the allocated time. Regular practice will help you develop a sense of how much time to allocate to each question.
  1. Improve Mental Calculation: work on your mental math skills by practicing calculations without relying heavily on a calculator to develop your speed and accuracy.
  1. Review Mistakes: After practicing, review any mistakes you’ve made. Understand where you went wrong and learn from those errors using the worked solutions and feedback reports.
  1. Be properly organised before your test, i.e., find a quiet place, keep all the equipment such as a calculator, pencil, paper, etc. with you to help with your workings.
  1. Strike a balance between speed and accuracy. Avoid only aiming to attempt as many questions as possible, but make sure that you are answering correctly. 

Practice FREE QUESTIONS similar to Google assessment testswith us and take your FREE Numerical Reasoning Test now, or test your numerical skill with our example question below!

Google-Style Numerical Reasoning Test Question Example

Google numerical reasoning free question example

Solved it? Check the bottom of the page for the answer!

Practice even more Google-style numerical reasoning questions withworked-solutions and professional score reports including personalised tips based on your performance. Boost your practice with 10,000 math questions to identify areas for development.

Now, let’s move on to the next online assessment that you may be required to sit for during the Google online tests round, the Google verbal reasoning test

2. Google Verbal Reasoning Test

What is the Google verbal reasoning test?

The Google verbal reasoning test is used to assess the candidate’s ability to comprehend and analyse written information for roles that require strong written and verbal communication skills. Be aware, as similar to the numerical test, this verbal test may be timed! 

What does the Google verbal reasoning test consist of?

You will be given an unseen passage to read and answer the questions that follow. 

The Google verbal reasoning test looks for the following capabilities in the applicant, which are as follows: 

  1. Comprehension and interpretation of written passages. 
  2. Ability to understand the main idea and emotion of the text. 
  3. Ability to make inferences based on written information. 

Take a break from reading and discover more about this Google hiring test with this short video on all you’ll need to know about verbal reasoning tests: 

What Is a Verbal Reasoning Test? #shorts

How to pass the Google verbal reasoning test? 

We’ve got you covered with these 7 top tips to help you ace the Google verbal reasoning questions.

7 TOP TIPS TO PASS THE GOOGLE VERBAL REASONING TEST
  1. Read Actively: Invest some time in reading before sitting for the actual test. This will help you comprehend written statements and the language used.
  1. Spend some time solving crosswords and other English exercises to make sure you build up on your vocabulary and reasoning skills. 
  1. Practice a number of verbal reasoning test questions to understand the pattern of questions and develop strategies that suit you to crack the actual test. 
  1. Simulate Test Conditions: When practicing, try to replicate the test environment as closely as possible. Sit in a quiet space, set a timer, and work through passages under timed conditions.
  1. Understand the answer options. True means the statement is correct, false means it is incorrect and cannot say means the information provided in the passage isn’t enough to determine the validity of the statement.
  1. Identify Key Information: Pay attention to keywords and phrases within the passage. These often hold the answers to specific questions and statements.
  1. Base your answer only on the information provided in the passage. Candidates use their own understanding of a particular statement sometimes, which leads them to choose the wrong answer.

Feeling confident? Try your best at our example Google-style verbal reasoning test question below or practice more FREE QUESTIONS with our FREE Verbal Reasoning Test now!

Google-style Verbal Reasoning Test Question Example

Google verbal reasoning test example question

Got the answer? Check it out at the bottom of the page.

For even more Google verbal reasoning practice, register with GF today and practice more Google-style verbal reasoning tests with answers, worked-solutions and professional score reports including personalised tips based on your performance.

Now, let’s move onto another key component of your Google online assessments: the Google situational judgement test.

3. Google Situational Judgement Test

What is the Google situational judgement test?

The Google situational judgement test examines your problem-solving and decision-making skills.  You will be presented with real work scenarios that you may face at Google, and you will be required to read the scenario, identify the problem, and choose the best action to solve the problem. 

What does the Google situational judgement test consist of?

The different scenarios you may come across during your Google situational judgement test may be: 

  1. Handling customers and interpersonal conflicts.
  2. Prioritisation based on importance and urgency. 
  3. Making decisions that align with the values and ethics of the company. 
  4. Handling work pressure. 
  5. Evaluating potential consequences of different actions. 

Looking for even more insight into Google situational judgement tests? Watch the following short video: 

What are Situational Judgement Tests? (SJTs Explained) #shorts

How to pass the Google situational judgement test?

To ace your Google situational judgement test we’ve developed the following tips and tricks for you to prepare well:

6 TOP TIPS TO PASS THE GOOGLE SITUATIONAL JUDGEMENT TEST
  1. Consider the competencies required for your job role at Google by reading the job description very carefully. Learn what employee behaviour is preferred.
  1. Research the work culture, the role, and Google’s values to get an idea of what approach is favoured most in a particular situation. 
  1. Practice situational judgement tests before the actual test to get an understanding and expectation of the question and formats used. 
  1. Evaluate all response options: Consider their potential outcomes. Prioritize options that align with standards values and effective decision making principles.
  1. Identify the issues or challenges depicted in each scenario: What are the potential problems that need addressing? This will allow you to focus on addressing aspects of each situation.
  1. Utilize real life experiences: Connect the situations to instances that you have personally faced or challenge a more professional’s approach to a similar scenario. 

Here’s a sneak peek into what your Google situational judgement test may look like with our example question our expert team has developed below:

Google situational judgement test example question

Kickstart your Google-style situational judgement test preparation, sign-up for GF’s Situational Judgement Test package today to access real questions, live test reports, and progress charts!

With this, we have discussed all the details about your Google online assessments. Now, we move to the next stage of your Google hiring process, i.e. The Google virtual interview or Google phone screens. 

Back to Contents

Google Virtual Interview

What is the Google virtual interview?

The Google virtual interviews will include 1-2 video interviews or telephone calls with your interviewer, lasting 45-60 minutes each. During the Google virtual interview, you will be required to answer various technical questions and perform tasks given to you by your interviewer in the interview. 

Good to know: You may also have to take up some tasks during your Google virtual interview, such as a case study or a coding interview on the spot. These tasks may be instead used during your Google final interviews stage. 

To be fully prepared for this interview, make sure you keep in mind the following tips especially tailored for your success. 

How to crack the Google interview?

Google Virtual Interview: Tips to Prepare
  1. Do your research: Read the job-description carefully to understand what key skills that Google is looking for. Consider Google’s values and how you can adapt your answers to demonstrate these.
  1. Revise the fundamentals: Make sure you are thorough in your knowledge of your field, as you will be asked to solve problems and perform various tasks to check your knowledge and skills.
  1. Prepare sample answers: practice with various example questions that may be asked in the Google Virtual Interview in front of a mirror, with friends or an online practice platform to develop your confidence in your answers.
  1. Get good rest before: Being relaxed before your virtual interview is very important because Google uses a rigorous interviewing method that may stress you out, so being well rested may help you stay calm and focused. 
  1. Check your tech: Make sure you have a good internet connection and all supporting devices such as ring light, speakers, microphone, etc. before you start your Google video interview.
  1. Use the STAR+R technique: Use the S- Situation, T-Task, A- Action, R- Result, +R reflect technique to structure your answers to competency questions. Practice this technique until it sounds natural to you.

To unlock more pro tips on how to ace your Google video interview stage, don’t miss the following short video: 

Epic Video Interview Tips and Tricks

By using our GF video interview preparation tool, you can nail your technique in recording answers to critical competency and tech-industry questions in your Google virtual assessment through practice.

Google virtual interview practice

Good to know: Before the on-site interviews, you may take some additional mini coding tests or assessments, known as Google Coding Quiz. This will be based on your knowledge of your field or study. You may also be given writing samples or sample codes to work on so be sure to brush up your basic concepts. 

Now, we’re onto the main event, the Google on-site interviews in the final rounds, so be sure to continue moving towards success with us in this article! 

Back to Contents

Google On-Site Interviews

What is the Google final interview?

The Google On-Site Interviews involve 3-4 rounds of rigorous interviewing within a day. Your interviews will typically last between 30-45 minutes each. You may have one less stage of interview to sit for depending on the job profile. 

At this stage, you will be tested on the basis of the following four interviews: 

  1. Google General Cognitive Ability Interview
  2. Google Leadership Skills Interview
  3. Google Role-related Knowledge (RRK) Interview
  4. Googliness Interview

Let us move forward and discuss how each interview will focus on each of the above competencies.

1. Google General Cognitive Ability Interview

What is the Google General Cognitive Ability Interview?

The Google General Cognitive Ability (GCA) interview focuses on assessing your thought processes. Google is interested in evaluating key areas such as your problem-solving skills and gaining insights into your working style.  

This interview is your opportunity to look at the situations that you may face at Google, or that other googlers have faced in the past. 

Good to know: This will likely be a 30–45-minute interview with a senior manager in your field. The questions will be specific to the role e.g. engineering or business roles. You may also be given case study or coding/programming questions depending on the role you have applied for. 

How to pass Google General Cognitive Ability Interview?

TOP 7 TIPS TO PASS THE GOOGLE GENERAL COGNITIVE ABILITY INTERVIEW
  1. Share logical assumptions: Make logical assumptions, i.e., share the most obvious answer to the question. Google asks straight questions and expects straight answers. 
  1. Show your work: Show them how you got to the solution. It’s very important for them to know your thought process and your approach. 
  1. Consider the pros and cons: You must look at both aspects of the conclusion you make. It’s important that you analyze both pros and cons of the solution before your interviewer does. 
  1. Practice Problem Solving: Work on developing efficient problem-solving techniques, such as breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts.
  1. Brush Up on Math: Google’s interviews often include mathematical problems. Revise basic and role-specific mathematical concepts, especially those related to discrete math, probability, and combinatorics
  1. Stay Updated: Keep up-to-date information about current events, technology trends, and developments in the tech industry. Google may ask questions related to the company’s products or industry news.
  1. Post-Interview Follow-Up: After the interview, consider sending a thank-you email to your interviewers, expressing your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterating your interest in the role.

This interview may also require you to solve questions using a whiteboard or paper. What kind of questions are these: 

QuestionsSkills assessed in the Google GCA Interview
Coding and Programming Questions (technical and engineering roles). – Analytical thinking 
– Problem solving
– Data interpretation
– Pattern recognition
– Attention to detail
Google Case Interview or case study round (business roles) – Problem solving and decision making
– Industry knowledge
– Attention to detail
– Communication
– Planning and organisation

Let’s walk you through some examples of Google case study questions commonly used at this stage of the interview process and how you can approach them. 

Example Google Case Study Interview Questions And How To Answer

Question 1: How much money do you think YouTube makes daily from ads?

How to Answer:

  • Now while answering such estimation questions, remember that you don’t have to do exact math calculations. Make a structure and approach on how to estimate the figures. Start with estimating the following and then calculate:
    1. Number of people in the world 
    2. The percentage that uses YouTube on any given day
    3. The average amount of time any person spends on YouTube in a day
    4. Number of ads seen for that amount of time
    5. And at last estimate how much YouTube earns per ad.
  • Multiplying the above data should give you the answer.
  • Another example of a similar estimation question may be, “How would you estimate the market size of Google display ads on websites?”. 

Question 2: Let’s say that Google is considering acquiring iRobot, a company that builds consumer robots, such as the Roomba. What would you consider when deciding whether to make this acquisition?

How To Answer:

  • To know if the acquisition is accurate, look into certain aspects such as the attractiveness of this acquisition. 
    1. The attractiveness of the consumer robots market.
    2. How attractive is iRobots as a company?
    3. How the acquisition would impact the market of both companies.
    4. And the financial implications of the acquisition.

More example Google interview questions for you to practice

  • What differences would you take into account when selling a product to a client in India versus a client in Argentina?
  • What are three areas that Google should invest in?
  • How would you estimate the market size of Google display ads on websites?
  • How should YouTube deal with spam?
  • Estimate the time it takes a Google Street View car to collect footage in a city.
  • How would you define the strategy for YouTube over the next 5 years?

Want to know what questions could come up in your Google interview? Practice the Essentials with GF and discover more potential Google interview questions with our Question Identifier Tool (QIT).

2. Google Leadership Skills Interview

What is the Google Leadership Skills Interview?

The Google leadership skills interview, as the name suggests assesses your leadership skills as to whether or not you are capable enough to lead a team. They may give you certain situations where your task will be to lead a team, make-decisions or use your judgement on a situation.

You may be asked to explain any past events where you showed leadership skills. In this case, use the STAR+R technique to structure your answers.

How to pass the Google Leadership Skills Interview?

  1. Make sure you understand the question properly and ask the interviewer clarifying questions if you are unsure.
  1. Analyse the situation and look for possible steps that can be taken in a situation. List the steps you would take to resolve the situation out loud.
  1. Ensure that you think according to what Google would prefer to do. Keep in mind Google’s values as well as the responsibilities of the job role.
  1. Manage your body language well. Speak clearly, sit up straight and use relaxed eye contact to demonstrate confident body language while you answer. 

Good to know: An important trait that will help your employer ascertain that you will be a good team leader is your body language. A good leader tends to be confident and firm in his decisions. Make sure these traits form the outline of your answers.  

To know how to to look confident and depict good body language at your Google interview, watch the following video: 

Top 5 Job Interview Body Language Tips #shorts

The next round of Interview at Google will be the Google Role-related Knowledge Interview, let’s discuss this further. 

3. Google Role-related Knowledge Interview (RRK)

What is the Google Role-related Knowledge Interview?

Google may use a role-related knowledge interview after analysing your thought processes and leadership skills. In this interview, they will assess your expertise in your area of study and experience. For this, you need to make sure all your basic concepts are clear. 

Good to know: For business roles such as a product manager, they might ask you what process you would use to make a particular project more aligned to the customer needs. 

For engineering and technical roles, they might ask you to solve further coding or technical questions such as: “how would you solve this technical issue that arises in Google search”, etc. 

What coding questions come up in the Google Role-related Knowledge interview?

Some examples of Google coding questions that you may face at Google Role Related Knowledge (RRK) interview for technical roles are: 

Question 1: Find the kth largest element in a number stream

Problem Statement: Design a class to efficiently find the Kth largest element in a stream of numbers. The class should have the following two things:

  • The constructor of the class should accept an integer array containing initial numbers from the stream and an integer ‘K’.
  • The class should expose a function add (int num) which will store the given number and return the Kth largest number.

Question 2: Copy linked list with arbitrary pointer

Problem statement: You are given a linked list where the node has two pointers. The first is the regular ‘next’ pointer. The second pointer is called an ‘arbitrary pointer’ and it can point to any node in the linked list.

Your job is to write code to make a deep copy of the given linked list. Here, deep copy means that any operations on the original list (inserting, modifying and removing) should not affect the copied list.

Google Coding Questions tip: Familiarise yourself with all of the key concepts required for the role. It will likely be that you have the background knowledge, but be sure to brush up on this so you aren’t caught out on a question that should be simple. 

Now, let’s discuss the last round of interview that you are likely to face, i.e., The Googliness Interview. 

4. Googliness Interview

What is a Googliness Interview at Google?

The Googliness interview will be the last stage of your Google final round interviews. Google is a peoples’ organisation; they believe in doing good for the society as a whole and the motto of this interview is “doing the right thing”

What makes a person Googly? 

Being Googly is to be the type of person that will work effectively and happily in Google’s working environment. 

To know if you are Googly, consider the following questions: 

  • Are you open-minded?
  • Are you appreciative of change? 
  • Are you willing to help others? 
  • Are you a reliable team-member?
  • How well can you move forward with conversations?

As a people’s organisation, the overall focus of Googliness is whether or not you’re a ‘good and kind’ person. If you align well with these questions for Google, it may be that you are just right for the role.

Googliness interview tip: Throughout the Google application process, keep the above questions in mind and always draw on these qualities where you can. Also, read about and understand Google’s values and mission and vision statements to understand what Google expects of their employees. 

Therefore at this stage, Google will ask you some motivational questions. Check out 3 commonly used Google motivational interview questions below.

 Examples Googliness Interview Questions

  1. How do you work, individually or on a team? 
  2. How do you push yourself to grow outside of your comfort zone?
  3. How do you help others? How do you talk about it, do you listen?

Remember: The aforementioned questions focus on knowing how you treat the people around you and how you work with them. However, you need to find answers according to your personality.

The Googliness interview is a further chance for the interviewers to get to know more about you. However, there are still some tips which will help you leave a good impression at your Googliness interview. 

How to Pass the Googliness Interview?

  1. Develop a good understanding of Googliness: Only through understanding what Google is looking for will you be able to demonstrate this effectively in your interview.
  2. Exercise your Googliness: Put yourself in positions in which you can utilise Googlyness assets. It will be vital that in your Google interview you can talk about these.
  3. Draw on the Googliness in each Interview question answer: Draw on the key aspect of the question and use evidence from your experience to clearly show why this is something that you possess, and as a result are the ideal Google candidate.

Googliness Interview Pro tip: At the end of the interview, it’s important that you ask your employer if you have any doubts or questions, this shows that you are really interested in the job and are willing to walk an extra mile if you need to.

Watch the following video to know some example questions that you can ask your interviewer at the end of your interview: 

5 Best Questions to Ask in a Job Interview #shorts 

Ready to take your interviewing skills to the next level? Discover what top employers such as Deloitte, Google, Amazon and Barclays commonly ask candidates with over 39 employer interview sets with our video interview practice platform today.

That’s the whole Google recruitment process. If you follow all the tips and advice we had to offer, you will definitely become a Googler yourself. So, wish you all the luck!

But wait, before you go!

Are you a college graduate and want to start a career with Google? Then check out our dedicated section below, for more information on Google’s graduate schemes and internships

Back to Contents

Google Early Careers

Google offers various early career opportunities for individuals who are starting their professional journeys. Here are some common early career programs and opportunities provided by Google:

  1. Google Internships
  2. Google Associate Product Marketing Manager Program
  3. Google PhD Fellowship Program

Find more details on these below.

1. Google Internships

What are Google internships?

Google’s internship programs are available in different areas such as engineering, product management, user experience, and sales and last up to 10 to 12 weeks. These internships are typically offered during the summer but may also be available at other times of the year. Two great internships offered by Google are: 

Let’s gather brief info about both of these opportunities. 

GOOGLE BOLD PROGRAM

The BOLD (Building Opportunities for Leadership and Development) program at Google is a highly regarded internship program designed to provide professional development opportunities for undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds. BOLD aims to create a more inclusive and diverse workforce in the tech industry.

The BOLD program is a summer internship that typically lasts 12 weeks. Internships are primarily based at Google’s offices, but some virtual options may be available depending on circumstances.

GOOGLE BUSINESS INTERNSHIPS

Google offers business internships for undergraduate and graduate students interested in fields such as marketing, sales, finance, and operations. These internships provide exposure to different business functions and an opportunity to work on strategic projects.

Google Internships Eligibility Criteria

These Google internships are open to undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students from various fields, including computer science, engineering, business, marketing, design, and more. 

Important note: The eligibility criteria may vary depending on the specific internship position, as some roles may require specific qualifications in your field.

2. Google Associate Product Marketing Manager Program

What is the Google Associate Product Marketing Manager Program? 

The Google APMM program is a two-year rotational program designed for recent graduates who are interested in product management. APMs work on various products and projects, receiving mentorship and training to develop their skills as product managers.

Google APMM Program Eligibility Criteria

  1. Educational Background: You should have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in any discipline.
  2. Graduation Year: The APMM program is designed for recent graduates, typically within two years of completing their undergraduate or graduate degrees. 
  3. Strong Interest in Marketing and Technology: You must demonstrate keen interest in understanding customer needs, market dynamics, and digital trends. Familiarity with Google products and services is a plus.

3. Google PhD Fellowship Program

What is the Google PhD Fellowship Program?

The Google PhD Fellowship Program is a prestigious initiative that supports outstanding graduate students pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science or related fields. This aims to recognize and provide financial support to exceptional researchers, foster collaboration between academia and Google, and contribute to the advancement of computer science research.

Google PhD Fellowship Eligibility Criteria

The program is open to graduate students who are currently enrolled in a full-time Ph.D. program in computer science or a closely related field at an accredited university worldwide. Eligibility requirements may vary each year, so it’s important to review the specific eligibility criteria for the year you are applying.

With this, we have discussed enough early career programs by Google, there’s a lot more that Google offers to young minds. But, for now, the above info will give you a headstart. To find out more about Google early careers, visit Google careers

Still got some burning questions about Google’s hiring process? Then don’t miss these quick FAQs before you go to ace your Google application!

Back to Contents

Google Recruitment FAQs

What qualifications do I need to work at Google?

The qualifications required vary depending on the specific job role. Generally, Google looks for candidates with a strong educational background, relevant work experience, and specific skills related to the position. Technical roles often require a degree in computer science or a related field, while other roles may have different educational requirements.

What is the interview process like at Google?

Google has a number of rigorous interview rounds, which consists of all kinds of assessments. Google mainly has three interview rounds depending on your job role and location. These three interviews are: 

  1. Google telephone interview
  2. Google virtual interviews or Google phone screens
  3. Google on-site interviews round

How can I prepare for a Google interview?

To prepare for Google interview, you must follow these steps: 

  1. Research Google and familiarise yourself with their many spaces and products.
  2. Relate your experiences with Google core values and competencies 
  3. Prepare sample answers and practice problem-solving and coding skills. 
  4. Deliver these answers in an effective and attractive way using the STAR+R format.
  5. Show enthusiasm through positive body language and tone of voice. 

To gather more tips on Google interview preparation, read our dedicated sections on Google virtual interview or Google phone screens and Google on-site interview.

Are remote or flexible work options available at Google?

Google has embraced remote and flexible work options, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. The availability of remote work can vary based on the role and team requirements. Google provides the necessary tools and technology to support remote collaboration and has implemented policies to facilitate remote work arrangements.

What is Googliness?

“Googliness” refers to one of the qualities or traits that Google looks for in potential employees. The term is derived from the company’s informal motto, “Don’t be evil,” which reflects their emphasis on ethical behavior and positive contributions to society.

Practice and Register with GF to get your job with Google first time

Do you want to pass your Google  assessment tests, first time? Take numerical, logical, verbal reasoning and situational judgment practice tests today with GF, the only aptitude practice test experts providing practice test solutions to over 100 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe.

Practise with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests.

Correct answers to example questions:

Numerical Reasoning Test: C

Verbal Reasoning Test: B

VIEW OUR TEST OPTIONS