FAQs
What do I wear to the interview?
Google is famous for providing an environment that allows individuals to be successful without wearing a suit. For your interview, wear what you feel comfortable in, whether it is a suit or more casual attire. Candidates will be evaluated on technical, cognitive, communicative and leadership skills, not what you are wearing.
I am a liberal arts major. Can I work at Google?
Yes, Google looks for great candidates from all academic backgrounds. Whether you studied Spanish, History, Economics, or Psychology, we value diversity among our candidates and strive to hire individuals who can think outside the box. Please see the specific qualifications in each of our job descriptions.
What is the interview process and timeline?
1st round interviews take place via phone or on campus. You should hear within seven to ten business days about next steps. If there is a mutual fit, candidates will be invited to Google for 2nd round interviews. The final step is the offer process. You will usually hear your status within three weeks of your 2nd round interviews.
If I'm applying for a Software Engineer - New Grad position, which team or project will I interview for?
There's so much diversity in the work that we do, so Google tends to hire generalists rather than specialists. As an engineering candidate, you are expected to be successful in a variety of areas, so you don't interview for a specific team or project. When hired, we will ask for your project preferences and place you in one of your top choices.
Are there research positions for PhD students in Computer Science or similar fields?
We typically hire computer science researchers with industry experience. Google is strongly committed to supporting engineers who are interested in publishing and serving on program committees in top conferences, so we definitely hire PhD students from many different backgrounds.
Are there positions for PhDs studying disciplines outside of Computer Science?
Many Googlers hold PhDs in disciplines other than Computer Science. These fields range from Economics to Statistics, Mechanical Engineering to Psychology, and Chemistry to Zoology. We have aspirations to solve large problems and having a diversity of PhDs contributing their expertise is immensely valuable to our company.
Do I have a choice of where to work?
Yes. From Mountain View to Beijing to Nairobi, Google has offices around the world. Please note that not all positions are available in all of our offices. However, if the position is available and you have, or can obtain, work authorization, you should communicate your office preference to your recruiter after your first round interview. Fluency in the office's national language is preferred.