u/michaelnovati replied · ★ FEATURED
Hi all, I've gotten a lot of DMs about my comments asking for more advice. I work with a lot of bootcamp grads a bit down the road in their journeys to achieve roles at the top companies including Google. I probably don't have as many messages as Mike has thought ;) but I'll share some thoughts on here.
1. Google is one of the top companies in the world and has one of the hardest hiring processes and highest bars for data structures and algorithms. This post isn't about a special program for bootcamp grads. This is an opportunity to connect with a recruiter who is supporting the "Early Career" (a.k.a. "New Grad") L3 pipeline. The bar hasn't changed and remains very high.
2. The interview process is the normal L3/Early Career process. You'll do 1 technical screen covering 1-2 medium to hard data structures and algorithms problems, not much talking. Sometimes you'll do a second one if they didn't get a clear signal. If you pass, you'll do 3-4 more interviews, again 1-2 medium to hard data structures and algorithms problems. After your feedback is submitted, if it's all positive and leaning towards hire, your packet will go to a hiring committee that meets once-ish a week. They will review all of your feedback and your background and make sure you are consistently at the bar for L3 set across the company. If you pass the hiring committee, then you will go into a big pool for team matching. If a hiring manager likes your packet (i.e. feedback + resume), you'll do a call with them to make sure you are a fit for their team. If the HM gives a thumbs up, you will promptly get an offer! Then you negotiate, sign, and start you job at Google!
3. It's very, very hard. At Formation.dev, we have a bunch of people that have gotten jobs at Google, and it's not the smartest and best LeetCoders that pass. You have to be really strong at data structures and algos AND be very well rounded and interesting to Google (i.e. Googly). You won't be able to fake your way or memorize your way through the process in a short time. You have to really be good at the fundamentals at a deep level. A few days or a few weeks of algorithms practice will not cut it. Most bootcamp grads we see at Formation need 3 to 6 months AFTER THEIR BOOTCAMP to have a strong chance at passing the Google process.
4. All of this said. If you are graduating a bootcamp (even a top bootcamp like Codesmith and Hack Reactor) and Google is not your #1 dream company, give it a shot. You have direct access to a recruiter that can make it happen and it will be a great learning experience. If you are well prepared, and catch a lucky break, you might be the 1 in a 1000 that passes right out of a bootcamp. If Google IS your dream company, be patient and practice for a while before jumping in.