SDE2 at Google

How it went

What they would tell you

How to prepare

Round by round

1. 1

   Phone Screening60 min

   The first round of the Google interview process started with a phone screening, where I was presented with a problem that tested both dynamic programming and trees. I was initially nervous, but I tackled it with enthusiasm, relying on my knowledge of algorithms and data structures. The problem was complex but manageable after breaking it down into smaller, more solvable pieces. Problem Example(similar one): Codeforces Problem 161D (A dynamic programming challenge involving trees and optimization) Make sure to articulate your approach as you solve the problem. In phone screens, they care about how you think through problems just as much as the solution itself.

   • Codeforces Problem 161D
2. 2

   Onsite Round 160 min

   In this round, I was challenged with a problem involving DFS (Depth-First Search) and longest palindromic substring (LPS). The problems were of medium difficulty, requiring not only coding skills but also logical thinking and careful planning. I tackled each problem systematically, ensuring that my approach was efficient, and I was able to complete the task within the given time frame. Problem Example(similar one): A variation of Minimum Number of Refueling Stops where the interviewer requested an optimal solution with a time complexity of O(n log n). The problem involved careful use of greedy algorithms and efficient data structures.

3. 3

   Onsite Round 260 min

   This round was much more complex as it focused on priority queues and advanced algorithmic thinking. The task involved optimizing a problem using priority queues and ensuring that I maintained efficient performance even with large datasets. I remained calm, used my problem-solving skills, and executed my solution efficiently.

4. 4

   Onsite Round 360 min

   The focus in this round was on greedy algorithms, particularly designing solutions that are both optimal and efficient under certain constraints. I faced multiple problems that pushed me to think about resource allocation and maximizing outputs, all within limited constraints. I demonstrated my flexibility in thinking and algorithmic optimization to complete each task.

5. 5

   Behavioral & Cultural Fit45 min

   The final round of the interview was behavioral, where I was asked to talk about how I collaborate within teams, solve conflicts, and lead initiatives. Questions were more about understanding my values, my teamwork style, and my leadership potential. Key Questions:

   • Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a team decision, and how did you handle it?
   • Describe a time when you had to mentor someone or lead a team to success.
   • How do you handle situational pressures or tight deadlines?

   Although I performed well in the technical rounds, the onsite interview rounds revealed areas for improvement in my problem-solving efficiency and communication under pressure. The technical depth was fine, but I missed out on the final offer due to slight misalignments in my approach to solving the greedy algorithm problems and a few mistakes in explaining code logic quickly.

What came up