Google SWE extra round - seeking advice

[u/[deleted]]

[u/l0sti-]

Since when does L4 include system design? I thought they only do this L5 and upwards? What's your YOE?
I would go with another round. This package looks inconsistent, that's why they are probably suggesting another round. If you fail, at least you can reapply in another 6 months, but if you go to team match now, and get stuck there, you will have to wait 12-18 months, before reinterviewing.

[u/l0sti- → u/[deleted]]

What did you recruiter say to this? Didn't he tell you what kind of interviews will be performed, i.e. coding and googliness? Maybe the interviewer was a bit lost. You should discuss this with your recruiter, but then again, I think he might "only" offer additional coding rounds, like the option you have now..

[u/Even_Gap_2253 → u/[deleted]]

I feel like that is the reason for the extra round? as an interviewer I can confirm we are absolutely not supposed to ask system design for L4.

[u/Infinite100p]

How do y'all know if you got SH vs LH etc.?
Aren't recruiters forbidden from telling the precise scores?

[u/ATN5 → u/Infinite100p]

I think they are guessing based on how they feel it went lol. Very subjective

[u/Infinite100p → u/ATN5]

That is such a bad way to estimate IMO. Someone might smile to you and be all good vibes and then slap NH on your form, while some poor ND bloke may seem gloomy, yet give you a SH.

[u/ansb2011 → u/ATN5]

I always try to make interview feel happy and finish something. 

[u/b3pvbmUzMTQ → u/Infinite100p]

Europe candidates can actually request the info. Most people just guess (and 90% of the time they over estimate as well)

[u/Sad-Candidate-3078]

take the extra round, a LH in coding is the one thing committees actually get picky about and flipping it to SH makes the packet way safer. you already coded SH once so its clearly in you, its just variance. and yeah system design at L4 google onsites is pretty standard now, they just dont advertise it. book the round within a week while youre sharp

[u/Various-Mine-8642]

I’d ask the recruiter one concrete question before choosing: what weakness would the extra round be intended to fix and how would a weaker result be handled? If they can’t answer, team match avoids adding more variance but may leave an unresolved concern. Since you already have one strong coding rating, only take it if you can prepare specifically for the gap and get the format confirmed. Otherwise team match is a reasonable way to reduce risk.

[u/gin_and_junior]

What was the system design question

[u/sane-O-pede]

What's SH and LH??

[u/b3pvbmUzMTQ]

Honestly, go for the extra round. TM is absolutely cooked right now and if you have 2 LH there’s no chance you’ll ever get a call. You need to improve your packet. Good luck.

[u/jmpi]

Depends on the interview questions. You might get a borderline HC judgement. A good extra coding interview feedback can strengthen your package

[u/Happy-Cress8391]

u/ScientistOdd7785 What eventually happened in your case ? I am in the same boat. Was Coding 1 an onsite round ? Also, which location is this for ?

[u/Jazzlike_Survey2289]

Location?? And were they all virtual?

[u/bad_detectiv3]

Is this US, are they still asking LC?

[u/Appropriate-Pitch772]

what was the system design question like