Ask HN: Is it worth getting a job at Google?

2 points by 31reasons 13y ago ↗ HN

I am a pretty good software engineer and have implemented many impressive softwares during last 12 years from implementing parts of JVM to distributed systems. However I am not good with memorizing language syntaxes and algorithms. To prepare for interviews at Google or similar companies means significant training in becoming a great "interview programmer". Is it all worth the trouble of learning something that I never directly use day to day in my life ?

4 comments

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[dead] googoobaby 13y ago ↗

Only if you think the possibly superior pay and a their presence on your resume to be of value. Personally, going through that gauntlet only to be assigned to something of little interest and less value to society isn't.

angryasian 13y ago ↗

if you try and fail at least you know. if you never try you'll always wonder if you could of done it

mingpan 13y ago ↗

I'd be curious to hear about where interviews don't work this way.

calculated_risk 13y ago ↗

Do it. I'm not an engineer but I just went through the interview process for an analytics/strategy role at google. I was successful is getting the role. I found the process fun and challenging. You do use those skills in every day work at Google, maybe not directly but its valuable to be able to learn to be efficient and think outside of the box