3/24 I have an interview at google soon for some sort of sysadmin
position. The HR person said google has "the google way" of
interviewing. What does that mean? Are there any google people
here or people who have interviewed there recently on the motd? What
should I expect? I'm scheduled for about 4.5 hours including lunch
with a manager. Thanks!
\_ The have a set of problems they want you to solve and will split
them amongst the sets of people who will interview you. They then
hand off the checklist from group to group. Some of the questions
are very random "thinking process" type questions and some are
actually applicable to the IT slot you are interviewing for.
\_ think of random names that you can drop to show your knowledge.
you'll probably have at least one stanfurd or cal grad... so you can
make an acute reference to P&H and how that relates to sysadminning.
this sounds like an asshole maneuver, but the purpose is to bond
with the interviewer and make them nostalgic of the good ol college
days. also, it's always good to touch up on random puzzle questions.
-!google employee
\_ Dropping BS in an interview is a great way to get a job you don't
want. Be yourself, think of some good questions and don't take
any crap. Remember, you need to decide if *you* want to work
there, just as they need to decide if they want you to work
there.
\_ What is "P&H"?
\_ Patterson & Hennessy I'd guess. Textbook for cs61c.
\_ If you need to reference a lower division text to
impress someone on an interview, don't. Your interviewer
will not be impressed.
\_ They use that book in CS 152 and there is also a
graduate version of the book too. You can reference
Sussman&Sussman if you think you're elite.
\_ Do they use Patterson & Hennessy in CS152 also?
How weak. I thought they used to teach H&P in
that class.
\_ Just avoid referencing text books in general.
Text books are not impressive.
\_ I can never keep P&H and H&P straight.
\_ Um, what the fuck does P&H have to do with system administration?
\_ If I say fuck, I mean fuck. Please don't censor
it ``for the children.''
- worked as a sysadmin, TA'ed with Patterson, and guest
lectured for 61C
\_ doesn't p&h cover the basics of "what is a processor",
"what is a disk", "what is io", "what is memory", etc.?
probably useful for your advanced sysadmin.
\_ Sounds more like a requirement to call yourself an
advanced sysadmin.
\_ Expect them to ask you for your GPA and SAT scores. No joke.
\_ They never asked me this. -- ilyas
\_ IIRC they didn't offer you a job either. Perhaps they didn't
feel the need.
\_ Perhaps. I would be surprised if they asked this of
anyone, they seemed more clue-enabled than that. Also
I know some google employees, and their GPAs...
-- ilyas |