Why I Studied Full-Time for 8 Months for a Google Interview • Hacker News Board

Re: Why I Studied Full-Time for 8 Months for a Google Interview

#21

Post by user5994461 » Fri, Dec 16, 2016, 5:32 PM UTC

scarmig wrote: post #17

fdsfsaa wrote: post #13

This guy is sad. All those people on Quora who ask unending questions about Google are sad. They're suckers. They've eaten up Google's marketing. You want to know the reality? Whatever's special about Google is long gone. Management let the smoke out a long time ago. Nowadays, Google is just another big software company, with all the opaque politics, purposelessness, and random nonsense that comes with being a big co…

How can you say that? Google gives an expensive Christmas gift every year!

And free food all year along!

Re: Why I Studied Full-Time for 8 Months for a Google Interview

#22

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Dec 16, 2016, 5:33 PM UTC

fdsfsaa wrote: post #13

This guy is sad. All those people on Quora who ask unending questions about Google are sad. They're suckers. They've eaten up Google's marketing. You want to know the reality? Whatever's special about Google is long gone. Management let the smoke out a long time ago. Nowadays, Google is just another big software company, with all the opaque politics, purposelessness, and random nonsense that comes with being a big co…

[deleted]

Re: Why I Studied Full-Time for 8 Months for a Google Interview

#23

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Dec 16, 2016, 5:33 PM UTC

scarmig wrote: post #17

fdsfsaa wrote: post #13

This guy is sad. All those people on Quora who ask unending questions about Google are sad. They're suckers. They've eaten up Google's marketing. You want to know the reality? Whatever's special about Google is long gone. Management let the smoke out a long time ago. Nowadays, Google is just another big software company, with all the opaque politics, purposelessness, and random nonsense that comes with being a big co…

How can you say that? Google gives an expensive Christmas gift every year!

[deleted]

Re: Why I Studied Full-Time for 8 Months for a Google Interview

#24

Post by user5994461 » Fri, Dec 16, 2016, 5:34 PM UTC

hahamrfunnyguy wrote: post #19

marsrover wrote: post #11

> Wherever I end up, I’m going in as an entry-level software engineer. I’m not going in with 15 years of software engineering experience because I simply don’t have it. When it comes to this stuff, I’m the equivalent of a fresh CS grad. Talk about selling yourself short. You've been a web developer for 15 years. I would think you've progressed a little further than entry-level.

You'd be surprised! I've interviewed many "veterans" (and worked with a few!) who just don't have the chops. In the world of web development, the developer who knows just enough to skate by without a proper understanding of algorithms and design patterns seems to be the rule rather than the exception. Kudos to him for acknowledging it and trying to do something about it.

> Kudos to him for acknowledging it and trying to do something about it.

That's a bad strategy for himself.

He shouldn't acknowledge it and he should go to work for one company that do not care about that.

Re: Why I Studied Full-Time for 8 Months for a Google Interview

#25

Post by JonDav » Fri, Dec 16, 2016, 5:35 PM UTC

fdsfsaa wrote: post #13

This guy is sad. All those people on Quora who ask unending questions about Google are sad. They're suckers. They've eaten up Google's marketing. You want to know the reality? Whatever's special about Google is long gone. Management let the smoke out a long time ago. Nowadays, Google is just another big software company, with all the opaque politics, purposelessness, and random nonsense that comes with being a big co…

I try to let new grads know this and they still fall for it. Just like when Goldman Saks comes calling. They just do not see these companies and the experience for what it is.

Re: Why I Studied Full-Time for 8 Months for a Google Interview

#26

Post by preordained » Fri, Dec 16, 2016, 5:37 PM UTC

Something wrong with this guy...all this future Googler talk with disclaimer asides about "what if I don't get hired"...and yet he's talking about how you can do it and your success plan.

Anyhow, in general it's getting really weird hearing more stuff like "Google is the best" and "I just have to work there". I question your judgement if you are making these sort of statements as an outsider. At least join the party before you drink the koolaid.

Re: Why I Studied Full-Time for 8 Months for a Google Interview

#27

Post by gdulli » Fri, Dec 16, 2016, 5:38 PM UTC

fdsfsaa wrote: post #13

This guy is sad. All those people on Quora who ask unending questions about Google are sad. They're suckers. They've eaten up Google's marketing. You want to know the reality? Whatever's special about Google is long gone. Management let the smoke out a long time ago. Nowadays, Google is just another big software company, with all the opaque politics, purposelessness, and random nonsense that comes with being a big co…

There's a turning point in the lifespan of a company whose product you use. You stop looking forward to product updates and start dreading them because they keep making it worse.

A company makes a good product, gets successful. Hires a ton more people, because they can afford to. Original staff turns over, because that's the way of things. All these new people have to be given things to do whether the product needs a lot of new work or not. Even if the product is in an optimal state, it can't be seen as standing still.

Re: Why I Studied Full-Time for 8 Months for a Google Interview

#28

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Dec 16, 2016, 5:40 PM UTC

JonDav wrote: post #25

fdsfsaa wrote: post #13

This guy is sad. All those people on Quora who ask unending questions about Google are sad. They're suckers. They've eaten up Google's marketing. You want to know the reality? Whatever's special about Google is long gone. Management let the smoke out a long time ago. Nowadays, Google is just another big software company, with all the opaque politics, purposelessness, and random nonsense that comes with being a big co…

I try to let new grads know this and they still fall for it. Just like when Goldman Saks comes calling. They just do not see these companies and the experience for what it is.

[deleted]

Re: Why I Studied Full-Time for 8 Months for a Google Interview

#29

Post by mathattack » Fri, Dec 16, 2016, 5:42 PM UTC

Isn't it really, "Why I studied full-time 8 months for a Google job." This is actually shorter than the 4 years of a BS in Computer Science for the Google job.

Re: Why I Studied Full-Time for 8 Months for a Google Interview

#30

Post by 20years » Fri, Dec 16, 2016, 5:43 PM UTC

fdsfsaa wrote: post #13

This guy is sad. All those people on Quora who ask unending questions about Google are sad. They're suckers. They've eaten up Google's marketing. You want to know the reality? Whatever's special about Google is long gone. Management let the smoke out a long time ago. Nowadays, Google is just another big software company, with all the opaque politics, purposelessness, and random nonsense that comes with being a big co…

I too don't understand the appeal of working for Google and the likes but I am not sure I would consider this guy sad. It feels like he may partly be doing this as confirmation to himself of his worth.

The fact that he has started 2 successful businesses both of which are still generating revenue is what he should be looking at for confirmation. That is hard and a skill that many developers will never acquire.

He may be disappointed when working for a big company especially after running his own businesses. But it is something else he can say he has done and has learned from. Plus, after he has Google on his resume, he can probably start doubling his contract rates.