I applied online. The process took 5 weeks. I interviewed at Google in Aug 2011
Interview
Initial screening was professional. But then they needed to switch the visit date several times on short notice. Many of the people who were supposed to be there that day were out. My sense is they had already decided to go a different direction. It is also possible that the late summer time frame did not work well in terms of having people around. The day involved several interviews and a presentation.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
No real hard questions Mostly behavioral questions and discussion
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Google in Aug 2013
Interview
Google's recruiters are amazing--after interviewing with over 10 companies during my current job search, I can say without a doubt that they are the best in the industry. My recruiter was super attentive--called me throughout the process, and the company really takes an interest in finding you the right fit within the company. After my initial recruiter call, I was then set up with a hiring manager. The questions he asked were very position focused, because the behavioral/fit questions come during the on-site interview. The on-site was very efficient, and I met with 5 team members, and 1 fit interviewer. Overall, they assess you for leadership, skill-based competency, and most importantly, your Googley-ness, or what I like to call the "airport test". If you can pass all that, then it goes to the hiring committee, for which you have to assemble a candidate packet, complete with a questionnaire and references. Then wait one more week, and then the recruiter will call you personally to tell you that you've gotten the offer or not.
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 5 days. I interviewed at Google in May 2014
Interview
Do phone screening. Didn't get to the next step. Recruiter said that team didn't want to pursue any further. Didn't say why. The process was fast although if I got further in the process, it could take two months to complete.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Question around whether I have own product roadmap decisions.