Coding 1
Questions: [Huffman Coding Algorithm - https://leetcode.com/discuss/interview-question/416316/google-onsite-software-engineer-huffman-coding-algorithm]
Candidate's Approach
I took almost 30 mins to understand the problem and to clarify my approach with the interviewer. I took another 10 mins to code and got the perfectly working code covering all the edge cases in the first try. Taking some time to clarify the approach in the beginning helped me to write the code in the first try.
Interviewer's Feedback
No feedback provided.
Coding 2
Questions: [Org Structure Modification - https://leetcode.com/discuss/interview-question/1244429/google-phone-interview-org-structure-modification]
Candidate's Approach
I had a strange experience during the interview. The question was an easy one but the interviewer wanted me to solve it pretty quickly. Whenever I took a moment to pause and think, the interviewer started giving me hints and asked me to proceed further. I was able to solve the question and answered the follow-ups too.
Interviewer's Feedback
During the feedback, they wrote that the candidate solved the problem only after giving the hint.
Coding 3
Questions: [Specific question not provided.]
Follow-up Question
- The question was something related to routers and 3D BFS and UF algo.
Candidate's Approach
This was my best interview round. I explained my approach and got a go to write the code from the interviewer. Finished my code within 20 mins and answered 3 follow-up questions for which I wrote the code (definitely with some errors) as well.
Interviewer's Feedback
No feedback provided.
System Design
Questions: [Design a distributed cache optimized for the given task (a task was pasted on the screen)]
Candidate's Approach
I started the discussion well and was able to solve the functional requirements within 20 mins. Though I asked the interviewer on which aspects I should dive deeper, I didn't exactly get any signal on what they wanted to hear. So I ended up making lots of self-decisions and also hopped here and there a bit. This wasted some time until I finally concluded my solution.
Interviewer's Feedback
No feedback provided.
GnL
Questions: [Specific question not provided.]
Candidate's Approach
This round went really well. I followed the STAR format and answered every question with examples. Tried to keep my answers diplomatic but at the same time actionable. The interviewer seemed very engaged listening to my stories/ideas/thoughts.
Interviewer's Feedback
No feedback provided.
3 Team Match Rounds
Questions: [Specific question not provided.]
Candidate's Approach
I had more or less similar experience in all the 3 rounds. Mostly discussions about my background, what the team does and what they want from the candidate.
Interviewer's Feedback
No feedback provided.
Additional System Design Round
Questions: [Tiktok style Google news]
Candidate's Approach
I started the interview very well and got to the ideal solution within 30 minutes. Seeing this, the interviewer modified the problem statement and asked me to redesign it. We had a great discussion and argued on various approaches. Finally, they seemed to be convinced with my approach.
Interviewer's Feedback
No feedback provided.