Interesting Experience at Google

DAY 1
I arrived at San Jose International airport on Sunday night around 6.30pm. I got into the shuttle that took us to Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel. I met with 2 of the candidates who are having Google interview as well. I was actually able to make a friend with one of the gals, her name is Kelly. She is such a sweet gal. She is interviewing for another position for Google.
After 20 minutes drive, we finally got to the hotel. Such a nice hotel!! I took pictures of my room which I will post later on. I had a super huge bed!! O goshh, I cant tell you how nice the bed was..soo fluffy and soo big!!! The comforter was soo warm and fluffy..tsk tsk tsk...
Anyway, all of us got our own welcome package consisting of snacks from Google, the interview schedule for Monday and some gifts.
After dropping off my stuffs, I went down to grab a dinner that was provided by Google. The food was awesome..who else would give us a tiramisu for a dessert, shrimp cocktail, pasta with garlic sauce or tomato sauce, and lots of other yummy stuffs!
Google actually rent one huge ballroom for all of the candidates to have dinner there...soo, it was quite impressive. I met around 25 candidates who were all coming for the interview! Isn't it crazy?? All for one day... what a tough competition! Not only that.. they all come from high caliber universities!! UCLA, Stanford, Penn State, Brown Uni, etc etc.. O gosh.. here I was, the only Midwestern girl from a small town, LOL... but I was proud to be there! Proud to be the only Iowan and Midwesterner!
After chit chat with few people, we finally headed back to our own room to have a good nite sleep. But, who can sleep that night? I know I did not!
I was probably too nervous for the interview that I felt sick.. I ended up threw up half of my dinner..and I had to take a medicine to calm my headache.. goshhh!!
Anyway.. after reviewing the materials briefly, I decided to turn off the light and tried to sleep... I must have lied on the bed for 2 hours.. I could not sleep at all, until probably 2 am.
poor me..

DAY 2

I got up around 6.30 to get ready for the interview. Google actually provided us a breakfast at the hotel from 7-8am, but I decided to skip the breakfast to have more time to get ready.
I finally was ready to go down at 8am. I went to the receptionist desk to confirm that I have the room for one more night. Then, I went to the restroom to calm my nerves..luckily, I met Kelly again in the restroom. We then walked to the bus together and waited for everyone else there. Kelly was sooo funny.. she was so nervous as I was so, we tried to calm each other by saying "whatever happens, happens.... It will be finee..." After 15 mins waiting in the bus, the whole crew finally camee!! And off we went to Google!! Woohoooooooooooooooooooooo

When I saw Google sign in front of buildings, then it started to really hit me! I am interviewing with Google?? Whoooo can imagineee? goshh.. It felt really surreal!
We had a presentation from Googlers about the position for about 40 minutes. What does it like to work for Google, bla bla bla..Everyone there was super nice..
Then, we were escorted to go into each of our room. We were scheduled to have 2-3 interviews. My schedule said that I would have 3 interviews.

First interview..the lady was nice..she was probably in the late 40s. She asked mostly about my MIS background, about my experience working with Citigroup,Inc. I think I answered her questions very well.

Second interview..the lady was really straightforward. I would say that she is the most challenging interviewer among the others. She asked me lots of questions that I have not anticipated. I would say the questions were similar with case questions, only simpler. But, I tried my best...oh well.. I cannot remember what I said to her but finally it was over.. geezzz...

Third interview.. the gal was really friendly.. sometimes I wonder if she was really that friendly or was she having a hungover from last night?LOL..she laughed a lot...bottomline..this is the most enjoyable interview.. I felt like I chatted with my friend :P

After the third interview, I was ready to head out from the room because I was initially cheduled for 3 interviews after all. But, surpriseee!! I had the fourth interview!
I was confused at that time, why would I have the fourth interview while everyone else probably had 2 or 3 interviews. Then, one of the HR people told me, it was because I was interviewing for a higher position than the rest of the candidates. Woww...that s good then, right?

Fourth interview...the guy brought his laptop for the interview. He was actually one of the analysts there. So, I would say that he was more technical than the rest of the interviewers. His questions were pretty challenging as well..but he was really nice. I was nervous at first, but as the day went on, I think I got a hang of it. LOL

12 pm... DONE DONE... woo hoooo... after that grilling sessions.. we finally got lunch! The food was good..they had sushi, salmon, lasagna, etc.. goshh...
Then, we had a tour of the Googleplex.. Food is everywhere!! and its FREEEEE....I managed to try IT'S IT ice cream...they said it was one of the famous ice creams in SF...
What more do you want...Google provides every food and drink you can possibly imagine...
Not only that..Google has excellent benefits for their employees!!
1. 11 holidays (including University holidays, so eventhough we graduated from college, we would still have those holidays)!
2. 3 google holidays+ 3 weeks vacation+ any sick days (taken as you need)
3. maternity and paternity leave (YES! Guys can take paternity leave!!)
4. $500 coverage for food for the first month you have baby..it will be delivered to your doorstep!
5. Up to $5000 coverage when you buy a fuel efficiency car
6. Up to $8000/year for tuition reimbursement
7. FREE FOOD, SPA, MASSAGE
8. You can bring your dogs to work!! (Yesss, I saw dogs everywhere!!)
9. You can borrow a scooter or a mini mobile ( I am not fully clear on this but I saw people riding their scooter around the buildings)
10. FREE shuttle service from/to work! Google has its own shuttles!!

That's all I can remember from hearing their presentation.... Amazingg..

Anyway, Google gave us parting gifts before we headed home.. ohhh Googlee.. I hope I will see you again!! :D

2pm- We arrived at the hotel...then I and Kelly changed our clothes and get ready to go to Stanford University!! tee hee hee...
We bought few of Stanford goodies at the bookstore.. :P
5pm- I said good bye to Kelly as she had a night flight to head back home.

DAY 3

Woke up at 6.30am to get ready to go to the airport.
8am- Picked up by the shuttle
9.30am- Got into the airport
10.43am - Flew to Denver, CO
6.30pm- Arrived at DSM, IA!

-The End-

PS: you may realize, I got tired typing this long post, but I will post more stories later on.. :P