Why are Google interviews so difficult?

They have designed a series of questions that are based on the fundamentals of product management, but you must answer them in a condensed time period. You need to learn frameworks to answer the questions to give yourself the best shot. But you can’t sound too robotic.

Another element that complicates the Google interview is that standards are not consistent. Bias questions have been banned but still, get used. Some interviewers want you to focus on strategy, others on the users. The training is inconsistent and mostly trial & error with some peer pressure mixed in.

Additionally, some questions hold higher weight but it can also be the luck of the draw if you get asked the questions that are deemed higher value.

Where can I find questions?

List of questions can be found here.

What is the best way to prepare for Google interviews?

Practice, practice, practice. Join mock interview groups and, if you can, form a group that supports you with guaranteed practice every week.

What framework do you use to answer the questions?

See our product sense framework here.

How does Facebook differ from Google?

If you are preparing for both Google and Facebook, you will notice subtle differences that are related to the culture of the different companies. Facebook is more focused on execution and has some specific requirements (like prioritization and goal setting). While Google is more focused on strategy, thinking big, and technical aptitude. The two product case question types share a lot but the ways they diverge reflect a lot about their different product cultures.

What are the preparation differences between the phone screen and the onsite?

Generally speaking, you need to master the key elements of product design, strategy, product analytics and estimation.

Don’t be fooled, passing the phone screen is easier than the onsite. In all companies they up their games or the onsite. So just being ready for the phone screen doesn’t mean you will necessarily nail the onsite.

Why so many options for Google phone screen? I have seen everything from:

• "Design X for the blind"

• ‘Should Google enter X market?”

• “How would you measure the success of X product.”

• “How would you size the market for X?”

covered in a phone screen.

So you need to have a strong grasp of product design, strategy, analytics (product metrics), and estimation for the phone screen phase.

What about leveling? I have heard Google under levels every one? Directors come in as L6 ICs, is that true?

Yep. This is a big problem at Google. Directors at small and medium-size companies are typically forced to start over at the IC level when they enter Google, often even as low as L6.

It starts with the phone screen. Your recruiter requests your leveling assuming the lower is more likely to pass and since it is Google 95% of folks will take the lower level so the recruiters have little incentive to fight for you. They will start with the lower leveling request for your phone screen. This provides anchoring bias that few people will argue. And it also means to get a higher level, you have to push to get re-interviewed. So if level matters, ask your recruiter the hard questions early.

So if level matters, make sure you are ready for everything but the technical before you approach the phone screen.

faq by company amazon | facebook | google

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