My Interview Experience at Google - Customer Engineer, Gen AI
Tags: googlecloud, interview, google, coding
Published: 2023-09-17 19:25:49


In the midst of an ordinary morning routine, a message notification on my phone brought a wave of unexpected excitement—a job opportunity at Google via LinkedIn.🤩🤩🤩 Skeptical but curious, I replied, expressing my interest in the Customer Engineer Gen AI role. The prospect of joining Google, even as a full-stack developer, was too alluring to ignore. To my astonishment, within minutes, I received a call from Google's HR team, a surreal moment I hadn't anticipated. As the conversation unfolded, I found myself invited to a screening round, signaling the beginning of a life-changing journey.

On the day of the screening, I joined a Google Meet call, heart pounding with anticipation. The HR welcomed me and initiated discussions about my professional journey and work experience. What I thought would be a routine profile discussion quickly turned into a coding challenge. With determination, I tackled each question, emerging successfully from the initial screening round, a proud moment that I eagerly shared with family and friends.
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Following the screening, an email from Google's recruiting team arrived, detailing the interview process, expectations, and comprehensive insights into each stage. Armed with this knowledge, I embarked on a week-long journey of intensive preparation, diving into Google Cloud fundamentals, Gen AI, Vertex AI, and various Google Cloud services.
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The pivotal interview day arrived, and though my nerves were palpable, I resolved to give it my all. Two interviewers greeted me, creating an atmosphere of comfort and mentorship as they presented a coding challenge. They guided me through multiple problem-solving approaches, ultimately arriving at the optimal solution. As a pleasant surprise, they presented a bonus question, fostering a comfortable and supportive interview environment.
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The joy of successfully passing the first round was tangible, a milestone celebrated with loved ones. An email from Google's HR soon followed, informing me of my qualification for the next round: RRK (Role Related Knowledge). I requested additional time to prepare, given my full-stack developer background and limited knowledge of Google Cloud, and the HR team graciously granted me a week.
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In the second round, I navigated questions about Gen AI and deployment while sharing insights from my freelance projects. The interview transitioned into situational inquiries, challenging me to prioritize stakeholders and defend my choices. Despite moments of doubt, I persevered, discussing containerization and addressing stakeholder needs.
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However, my confidence faltered as the conversation delved into topics like hypervisors and VMWare, ultimately affecting my performance. Constructive feedback from the interviewer acknowledged that my tech journey had only just begun. I awaited the outcome with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
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A week later, an email from HR shattered my anticipation: rejection. Yet, they left me with a glimmer of hope, assuring me that my profile would be considered for future roles. While this chapter didn't end as I had hoped, it taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, preparedness, and the unpredictable nature of life's journey. With renewed enthusiasm, I look ahead, ready to embrace the next opportunity and continue learning.
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Life is an ever-evolving journey, filled with experiences meant to guide and inspire us. As we navigate this vast landscape of opportunities together, I invite you to share your stories and learnings. 

Happy Learning!🚀🚀🚀

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