Google's nit-picky interview process a turn off for some experienced coders (businessinsider.com)

"If you hire people by interviewing them, you will hire people who are really good at being interview."

It's well-known Google prefers academics over experienced programmers. I was also cold called by Google and initially I was going to go through the process for a Javascript position, but I opted out after I realised I would never be able to pass any of the coding tests. I am actually self-taught, so lack academic fundamentals like knowledge of algorithms.

I am quite good at what I do, but I am not academically good to the level Google expects.