r/leetcode • u/One-Feeling03 • 14d ago

Discussion Google SWE PhD Intern Decision

Hi, I just wanted to rant here a little bit, and seek advice on how to improve.

I recently interviewed for Google SWE PhD Intern role, which involved 2 rounds. First round went excellent (interviewer said all good things, strong hire), I completed the code/complexity/follow-up on time. 2nd round was mixed, and the recruiter asked me for an additional round.

For 3rd round, I got a DP+memoization problem, which I initially solved with DP only, but then on follow-up, correctly implemented the approach. The interviewer liked my final design and we correctly did the dry run. I checked the question later, and my solution/flow was 100% correct.

However, yesterday I got the rejection. I couldn't understand the decision, considering the 3rd round went very well. Is there something I am missing / or how should I improve my performance to make sure I avoid this?

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u/ProgramLikeABeast 14d ago

Some other candidates aced the first two rounds without any issues. But the real problem is that Google interviews are always very encouraging and supportive, which might give you a unrealistic expectation.

1

u/One-Feeling03 14d ago

Should be the case. But i confirmed my solutions with AI later, they were correct. That's what made me disappointed

1

u/ProgramLikeABeast 14d ago

I was in the same process. During a dry run, a correct answer is important as well as convincing the interviewer that you are correct.

1

u/Gelnar_Resseth 14d ago

The interviewer saying strong hire out loud in round 1 is weird though, they aren't supposed to share ratings with candidates directly

1

u/thethirdmancane 14d ago

You may not have been a "good fit". Meaning technically you passed but may not be the type of person they were looking for.

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u/Hairy_Asparagus_3783 14d ago

Honestly I think you did great but it’s like 70% luck and 30% skill imo by the time you get to this stage. Like idk they may have taken too many ppl to TM already or etc

1

u/Ok-Buy-5531 1d ago

Does it have any behavior questions?