Ketan Patil

Posted on Jun 26

🌟 My Journey to Google as a Software Engineer (SWE-I)

#google

It's been a rollercoaster of emotions, late-night coding sessions, interviews, and a lot of hope — but finally, I made it to Google as a Software Engineer-I. Here's how my journey unfolded.

🛤️ The Application

Like many aspiring Googlers, my journey started with a simple application on the Google Careers page. I found an open role that matched my experience and aspirations, and submitted my profile.

📅 03-Apr-2025, 10:46 AM
I received a call from a recruiter, who asked to schedule a quick 15-minute screening discussion. The call was scheduled for the same day from 2:00 to 2:15 PM.

⚙️ Round 1: Screening (Rapid Fire)

💬 The first round was intense — a rapid-fire session with short questions covering:

Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA).
Computer Networks.
Web Technologies.

It tested not just depth but also the breadth of my understanding. It was fast-paced, but I kept my cool.

📅 04-Apr-2025, 11:56 AM
I got an update — I had cleared the screening round!

The recruiter invited me for a 15-minute prep call the same day (3:15–3:30 PM) to explain the next steps.

During this call:

He gave an overview of the interview structure.
Shared documents for preparation (though advised not to rely solely on them).
Provided tips on what interviewers generally look for.

That conversation really helped me prepare strategically.

💻 Round 2: Technical Interview

📅 10-Apr-2025, 2:15–3:00 PM

This was a DSA-focused coding interview. I was asked a problem and had to:

Discuss the optimal approach.
Explain corner cases.
Analyze time and space complexity.

I coded confidently and interacted well with the interviewer. He seemed impressed and nodded positively throughout.

📌 Verdict: Strong Hire

🧠 Round 3: Technical (Dynamic Programming)

📅 29-Apr-2025, 2:30–3:15 PM

This round focused on a dynamic programming problem.

I approached the problem optimally.
Explained the logic clearly and walked through a dry run.
Due to time constraints, I couldn’t finish writing a bug-free version of the code.

📌 Verdict: Hire

🏗️ Round 4: System Design

📅 06-May-2025, 2:00–2:45 PM

The problem: Design an automated parking lot system.

I structured the solution methodically:

Covered the key components.
Discussed scalability and concurrency.
Focused on real-world implementation aspects.

📌 Verdict: Hire

💬 Round 5: Googliness Interview

📅 05-Jun-2025, 9:00–9:45 AM

This round was delayed a bit due to scheduling issues but was one of the most interesting.

This behavioral and culture-fit round tested:

Leadership traits.
Collaboration mindset.
Handling ambiguity and difficult situations.

📌 Verdict: Hire

📞 The Call — and the Twist

📅 06-Jun-2025, 10:13 AM
The recruiter called to inform me that all rounds went well. He asked:

My location preference (Hyderabad vs. Gurugram).
My notice period.
Expected salary.

He said he would discuss everything with the hiring manager and share the offer in 4–5 days.

😞 The Setback

📅 13-Jun-2025, 11:00 AM
Since I hadn’t heard back, I called the recruiter.

The news hit me hard:

The hiring committee decided to put my application on hold.
They liked my profile but chose another candidate who could join sooner.
There was still a chance if a similar role opened up, but it wasn’t guaranteed.

I was heartbroken. After coming so far, it felt like I was just inches away — and then back to square one.

🌈 The Comeback

📅 24-Jun-2025, 10:00 AM
Out of the blue — the recruiter called again!

“There’s a similar opening in a different team, and we’d like to go ahead with you,” he said.

The same day, I received the offer letter.

💥 I accepted it. And just like that — I became a Googler!

🎉 Final Thoughts

Getting into Google wasn't just about technical knowledge. It was about perseverance, preparation, and staying composed — even when things don’t go your way.

To all those aspiring for similar roles: Don’t give up.
Your story might also take a detour, but it’ll be worth it in the end.

Hureeeyyyyy! 🎊
See you on the other side of the Googleplex. 💻🚀