Google interview key learnings-Visual design — Offer get!
During this summer, I finally had a chance to meet Googlers and be able to make it to the onsite interview, it wasn’t my first interview with Google; actually, it was my fifth time with Google. But before I start my story, maybe you should ask, “Why Google” 🤔 to yourself? Exploring your own reasons will undoubtedly lead you to a more joyful and fulfilling path towards Google.
🔵 🔴 🟡 🟢
My journey with Google
So starting in 2014, it was my 1st time receiving an email from a Google recruiter saying a design manager was interested in my portfolio. He would like to chat further about my past experiences; however, after 25 back and forth emails replying, I didn’t move forward since my OPT was about to expire, didn’t get selected from H1B and I left the USA for good. 🇺🇸 → 🇹🇼 Taiwan
Apr 2017
A recruiter reached out to me on Linkedin, but my work wasn’t good enough to move forward to the second stage interview. Rejection sometimes is inevitable.(🥺)
Oct 2019
I applied online, but my work wasn’t strong enough for the second round portfolio interview (again 😭) Thank you, the pleasant recruiter for giving me helpful feedback, and then I worked super hard to improve my portfolio.
Feb 2021
A creative recruiter emailed me and asked me about a new opportunity with google, and I told him honestly that I wasn’t ready for the interviews and wasn’t confident about my work. (Oops 🥵)
Jun 2022
A recruiter sent me messages via Linkedin, What’s App, and email. I was excited to hear that my portfolio got shortlisted and asked if I was interested in a Visual designer role with Google. This time, I am ready for it !✊🏻
Interview process (Virtual)
Rd 1 : (7/04/22) - HR phone screening : 30-45 mins
My recruiter asked many questions during this call and checked whether I could perform the role. And I talked about my past experiences, and later my recruiter sent me an email invitation to apply for the position. My recruiter was super helpful and shared some great insights about the hiring process at Google.
( 📝 Tips 👀 Don’t be shy to ask questions, your recruiter is your journey partner and they will be happy to share tips and guidelines on your prep. They definitely want you to be successful!)
Rd 2 : (7/18/22) - Phone interview “Portfolio” : 45-60 mins
I met a design lead and went through my work, and my interviewer asked some questions while I was presenting. Make sure you share the best of your work that you are super proud of, and I suggest 1–2 pieces could identify your design process, skills, visual + UX knowledge, and, most importantly, passion!
(📝 Tips 👀 Even if you applied for a visual design role, you should know a good amount of UX knowledge. And always review the JD of your part and do some checklist of requirements and qualifications; you should prove you are qualified for the position that you applied)
Three days later, I got an onsite interview invitation. WOW, BRAVO!!
Finally, after 8 years, I aced the second round of portfolio reviews.
😭 I’m thrilled!!!
Then, my recruiter has also shared some feedback with me and advice for my onsite preparation. If you are lucky enough, you might have a chance to meet a volunteer Googler before your onsite talk about relocation, culture, community, and role clarity.
Onsite interview (Virtual)
There are five rounds onsite, no shortcuts, and let me walk through my process with you.
Rd 3 : (8/04/22) - Portfolio Presentation : 45 mins
I presented my work for 45 mins, and my interviewers didn’t ask me any questions. So you definitely need to shine at this round!! Let them know who you are as a designer; the time is all yours. Please don’t waste it!
(📝 Tips 👀 No panicking, no rush. Practice, practice, and practice! It would also be much better if you practiced with family or friends until you have 120% confidence)
Rd 4 : (8/05/22) - UX Partnerships : 45 mins
You might speak to a PM, user researcher, developer…etc.
My interviewer asked how I collaborate with different teammates, and we discussed some situational questions working with stakeholders.
(📝 Tips 👀 Make sure you have some great stories to talk about by using the STAR method. [Actions + Results] are critical for all of your answers )
Rd 5: (8/05/22) - Googlyness & Leadership : 45 mins
I bet many of you had heard “Googlyness,” a word made up by the organization. So this was one of my favorite rounds, my interviewer asked what things motivate me, go beyond my responsibility, and check whether I am a cultural fit with the team and organization.
(📝 Tips 👀 This is a behavioral round, many companies have similar interviews, you need to let them know who you are as a designer and how you tackle and take some actions in your past experiences. )
Rd 6: (8/8/2022) - White-boarding Hypothetical Challenge : 60 mins
In this round, my interviewer couldn’t make it to my portfolio presentation, so I had the opportunity to show a short version of my work in 15 mins ( ⚠️ Always be prepared for a shortened version portfolio‼️ )
Then, my interviewer gave me a couple of prompts, and I could choose one and start white-boarding, but I think my white-boarding could improve the problem state and user journey.
(📝 Tips 👀 Although there are many resources and references online or on Youtube, my best suggestion is to practice with a senior UX designer or UX lead; doing actual exercise would greatly help. Sharing the thinking process and the solution must be coherent as well)
Rd 7 : (8/8/2022) - Execution & Contextual Thinking : 45mins
It was technical thinking round, and my interviewer asked many questions based on one of my portfolio pieces, such as; how do you think, creative work with constraining, and depth of the design thinking process. Also, I got some problem-solving questions from the user study.
(📝 Tips 👀 This round was similar to the second round portfolio review, make sure you thought about design options and why / how you made that approach, such as; explore the design direction and incorporate the user’s solution)
Result of my onsite interview
Two days later, I got an email from my recruiter, and we hopped on a call, then shared “initial feedback” from my onsite interview. One of my rounds could be better (ah, I bet it’s my white-boarding), but the rest are towards to POSITIVE !! That’s AMAZING!! 🎊, and I don’t require any additional interviews :)
The result usually takes about 1–2 weeks, depending on the timing from your interviewers have sent their feedback or could there are still many candidate interviews in the pipeline. So don’t panic, you may follow up with your recruiter anytime, I’m sure they will be happy to share some updates.
Unfortunately, after my onsite, there are hiring reprioritization with Google. Everything is slowing down due to economic uncertainties, increased inflation, and recession. But that’s okay, I’ll see what happens next, keep positive, and many people are facing the same situation; I wish all the best to all of you, and I hope you all can move forward in the coming future.
[Updated] Rd 8: (6/1/2023) — Team match: 30mins
I was super lucky to have participated in a team match round that came about due to my recruiter’s connection with a newly available position. The meeting with the hiring manager was incredibly relaxed and enjoyable. This round serves as an opportunity to gauge your interest in the team’s project, while simultaneously allowing them to assess your abilities and work. It is crucial to always keep in mind the importance of enjoying the process and staying true to yourself!!!
[Updated] Rd 9: (6/1/2023) — Hiring committee
This round marks the final stage of the interview process, and you don’t have do anything for this round. The hiring committee team will assess all aspects, including your performance in previous interview rounds, your resume, portfolio, and etc…, to deliver a verdict of “YES” or “NO.”
Keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best!!!
OFFER GET !!! (6/7/2023) — HURRAY !!!
Mom&Dad~~I made it💙 ❤️ 💛 💚 !!!!
😭 😭 😭 😭 😭 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉🎉
(📝 Keep in Mind 👀 The hiring process for Google interviews remains consistent worldwide, regardless of the location to which you have applied. All candidates go through the same standardized hiring process from my understanding.)
Key learnings:
- Be specific on your role 👀
The interviewers want to learn more about your skills, not someone else’s.
Do a favor to your interviewers; you should clarify your role and responsibilities before you start presenting design work. - Thank you note 📝
Always send a thank you note to the recruiter and mention your interviewer, you may briefly talk about your interview experiences. Don’t forget that interviewers are busy with work, and they’ve made an effort to spend time with you. - No fancy words, explain the acronym 💎
Try to show them who you are and communicate smoothly and well, don’t use fancy words or acronym that would require extra explanation or sounds like someone else. They want to know you and how you think, be confident! - Practice, practice, and practice! 🗯
Remember, there is no shortcut to ace the interviews, and you should do what you could’ve controlled. - Good time management ⏱
You only have 45–60min to show yourself, save time for the most critical content you would like to deliver. - Be yourself, be positive, and have fun! 🥳
Focus on what’s coming up, not the future; ask for help from your friends or a mentor, but you need to believe in yourself and have a positive mindset. Do some jump and Jax or 10–15 mins meditation before your interview. Specially thank my friend, Andre, who gave me so much mental support.🧘🏻♀️
Conclusion :
Google interviews required much prep before going into each round, but I’ve learned so much during the interview processes and had so much fun with my interviewers. Most importantly, I definitely think 🔵 🔴 🟡 🟢 “Google interviews are the most structured, comprehensive, and professional ones I’ve ever had in my life.” It was a pleasure to meet all my interviewers, coordinators and recruiters; they inspired and motivated me to become a better designer. And I’ve enjoyed all the rounds and showing my obsession with visual design and how much I would do everything for emotional design.
The ending of Hustle, a Netflix movie , has recently inspired me so much to keep a faith mindset, that if
“One org doesn’t find you valued, that doesn’t mean the world left you out, there are tons of opportunities waiting for you.”
“Never give up.” ✊🏻“Obsession is gonna beat talent every time.”
- Stanley Sugarman, Hustle-2022
️Last but not least, whenever you face a failure, that’s okay; your lesson has been learned, iterated, and moved on. 🐾
Everyone is far from perfect, and there is no standard definition to define the word “Perfect.”
You just gotta be “You.” ✨
Alright, thanks for reading. I hope all the info will help with your job-seeking journey. Best luck to all of you!
🎉 Give a “shut out” to all my lovely friends who helped me with the interview process. Thank you, my recruiters, my friends: Andre, Jill, Jeremy, Tee, Connie, Lynn, Sammi, Yiling, Ashley, Feifei, Kim, Youjin, Helen, Ben, Zoey, QC, George, Hsieh-Ching, and most importantly, my hubby .
You guys are amazing; without your support,
I wouldn’t be able to make it this far!
💙 ❤️ 💛 💚
Helpful links from the Google website
It’s all there on the site, do some research before you jump to an interview!
Good luck and have fun!!
- How to work at Google — How We Hire (Youtube)
- Interview Tips
- Prepare for Your Google Interview: UX Design (Youtube)
- Google — How We Hire (Hiring process)
- Meet UX Designers at Google (Youtube)
- Google Design(Youtube)
- Google Products
- Google Design (Official website)
- Google Blog
- Google Careers (Apply now!)
