8 ms·

Really good post, thanks David. I'm really curious as to how you landed an interview at Google (let alone a job) without a college degree. My understanding is

Really good post, thanks David. I'm really curious as to how you landed an interview at Google (let alone a job) without a college degree. My understanding is they are very strict about that and it's hard to even get a foot in the door without a degree. [disclosure: I'm on a 10 year "hiatus" from my senior year in college]

davidbyttow 13y ago
I had six years of experience in video games and was a hardcore C++ programmer. To be honest, I was surprised they called me. Nowadays, showing a body of work speaks volumes. Show, don't tell!
- TERTEWRT 13y ago
  ShareDeleteLikeReply leopoldolopez 4 hours ago NANO COMPUTER IN LATIN AMERICA FOOD. SEND IT TO ALL HACKERS. HANDLING HUMAN WITH SATELLITES COLAPS THEORY FOR ACCUMULATION BITS 0 BITS PER SECOND. SATELLITE CONTROL CENTERS FOR HANDLING OF VENEZUELAN CITIZEN. EXPEDINTES THEFT NOT KNOW FOR CRIMES MADE WITH SATELLITE - SATELLITE IN HARASSMENT ELETRONICO VENEZUAL. SATELLITE FOR DAMAGE radiation GENTICOS, DETERIROS BIOBOLOGICOS, CRIMES BY HANDLING. CHECKED THE FORUM IN THE FORUMS BUTTON. http://www.liberenlosya.com/foros/?mingleforumaction=viewtopic&t=70.0#postid-70 http://www.liberenlosya.com/foros/?mingleforumaction=viewtop... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw ELECTRONIC HARASSMENT CASE OF SPAIN, KINGS AND RECEIVING MONEY STEALING CRIMES AND GENOCIDE. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MneBehy7atI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MneBehy7atI EXPLANATION OF WHAT IS IN VOICE TO SKULL - VOICES IN THE BRAIN ESQUSOFRENIA SATELIES TRANSMITTED FROM SYNTHETIC - POLITICIANS WHO WANT WE BELIEVE THAT THINK that stain PATHOLOGY - EXPEDINTES THEFT NOT KNOW FOR CRIMES. DO BELIEVE MEANS THERE HANDLED AS POLITICAL ESQUISOFRENICOS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itHfzBkaPYk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itHfzBkaPYk Greg Szymanski interview with J. McKinney 1de3 Sub http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFifLT1WLe0&list=PLBF94757E4C770ED5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFifLT1WLe0&list=PLBF9475... "The Program", explained (The Takedown Program) Subtitled http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYy62kbNNNQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYy62kbNNNQ CASES IN ENGLAND. MODELS THAT PAID TO HANDLE A POLITICAL - CAPRILES EYE!!! VERY IMPORTANT DECISIONS WITH TAKING Construct FARADAY BOX. Electronic Harassment: Voices in My Mind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmE4oTXYmf4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmE4oTXYmf4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw ORGANIZED HARASSMENT ESTALKERANETAS USA EUROPE. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e0JEPkmyJQ&list=PL17CE4A1D72DDB699 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e0JEPkmyJQ&list=PL17CE4A... cahnel history Vatican Organized Crime and the Mafia in Sicily (History Channel Documentary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMfNtwXupoE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMfNtwXupoE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw NEUROSKI AUDIFONOS PARA QUE HABLES CON TU PENSAMIENTO. LOS COMPRAS AQUI. www.neuroski.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tr4CjtGtvg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tr4CjtGtvg CASO DE ACOSO ELECTRONICO ESTADOS UNIDOS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlkJTWENwkI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlkJTWENwkI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw
- zerr 13y ago
  Couple of points for your article: Regarding the C++ self-assessment, it depends to whom your talking to. If it is a 10+ years of exp. hard core C++ programmer, then your point is right. But if it is some recruiter clerk - who just writes down your answers to compare with other candidates' answers later, then it is 10/10 :) Another answer could be: "for your company, it is 10/10" depends on the company, of course. But all in all, I find this score based questions quite stupid. Instead, you should ask for past projects using that particular language. * Now regarding your algorithmic part. Tell you honestly, the fact that the candidate implements the Dijkstra's algorithm quickly, because she implemented it twice, 2 weeks before the interview tells me just that - that she implemented it 2 weeks ago, twice.... I'd more value a candidate who have never implemented it, or implemented it 10+ years ago but doesn't remember details - when given the details/specs and a sufficient amount of time, and can implement it. Overall, I prefer when the candidate can come up with the higher level solutions - knowing when to use e.g. Red-black (or any other balanced) tree, shortest path algorithms, suitable containers - data structures, etc... for some particular problems. The actual (hence 2 weeks ago) knowledge of every specific details of how to implement these is not that important.
AdamTReineke 13y ago
Have you written a blog post about leaving and your time since then? I'd love to read.
thaumasiotes 13y ago
I was contacted by Google without them knowing I had a degree, although they knew by the time I was scheduled for an interview. Apparently washing out in round one of Google Code Jame 2012 was enough for them to seek me out. I performed to expectation by similarly washing out of the interview. Steve Yegge wrote that you should apply to Google, no matter whether you think they'll take you or not, because it's a desirable position and the cost of failing is low. I spent $200 on a hotel room (not reimbursable), $150 on transportation from and to the airport (not reimbursable), $50 on baggage fees (reimbursable), and two days of my salary (since I wasn't at work when interviewing) (not reimbursable) in order to apply. This could be described as "significant".
- objclxt 13y ago
  I feel compelled to add to this: degrees are used as a filter for graduate level jobs. I do have a degree, but it's a studio art degree (i.e, painting, drawing, etc). I've had interviews with Google in the past, and like the parent it was just through recruiters getting in touch. At a certain point, your experience matters significantly more than the degree. I also washed out, but it was pretty enjoyable. I certainly wouldn't describe it as a hazing.
- thedufer 13y ago
  They don't reimburse travel expenses for interviewing? That's surprising, and a shame if its true.
  - thaumasiotes 13y ago
    They reimburse airplane tickets (well, actually they pay for the tickets directly), but they don't reimburse "private transportation", e.g. getting from the airport to the hotel.
- justinlloyd 13y ago
  This presumes that a) You want to work at Google and b) You consider Google to be doing interesting stuff that it would be worth applying. I don't. They aren't.
- 13y ago
lgieron 13y ago
In my case, being recommended by a Googler was enough to get the interview.
dyno12345 13y ago
They don't require a degree if you have significant experience, and a referral from a Googler helps. (Source: don't have a degree, interviewed at Google)

davidbyttow 13y ago

I had six years of experience in video games and was a hardcore C++ programmer. To be honest, I was surprised they called me. Nowadays, showing a body of work speaks volumes. Show, don't tell!

TERTEWRT 13y ago
ShareDeleteLikeReply leopoldolopez 4 hours ago NANO COMPUTER IN LATIN AMERICA FOOD. SEND IT TO ALL HACKERS. HANDLING HUMAN WITH SATELLITES COLAPS THEORY FOR ACCUMULATION BITS 0 BITS PER SECOND. SATELLITE CONTROL CENTERS FOR HANDLING OF VENEZUELAN CITIZEN. EXPEDINTES THEFT NOT KNOW FOR CRIMES MADE WITH SATELLITE - SATELLITE IN HARASSMENT ELETRONICO VENEZUAL. SATELLITE FOR DAMAGE radiation GENTICOS, DETERIROS BIOBOLOGICOS, CRIMES BY HANDLING. CHECKED THE FORUM IN THE FORUMS BUTTON. http://www.liberenlosya.com/foros/?mingleforumaction=viewtopic&t=70.0#postid-70 http://www.liberenlosya.com/foros/?mingleforumaction=viewtop... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw ELECTRONIC HARASSMENT CASE OF SPAIN, KINGS AND RECEIVING MONEY STEALING CRIMES AND GENOCIDE. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MneBehy7atI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MneBehy7atI EXPLANATION OF WHAT IS IN VOICE TO SKULL - VOICES IN THE BRAIN ESQUSOFRENIA SATELIES TRANSMITTED FROM SYNTHETIC - POLITICIANS WHO WANT WE BELIEVE THAT THINK that stain PATHOLOGY - EXPEDINTES THEFT NOT KNOW FOR CRIMES. DO BELIEVE MEANS THERE HANDLED AS POLITICAL ESQUISOFRENICOS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itHfzBkaPYk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itHfzBkaPYk Greg Szymanski interview with J. McKinney 1de3 Sub http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFifLT1WLe0&list=PLBF94757E4C770ED5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFifLT1WLe0&list=PLBF9475... "The Program", explained (The Takedown Program) Subtitled http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYy62kbNNNQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYy62kbNNNQ CASES IN ENGLAND. MODELS THAT PAID TO HANDLE A POLITICAL - CAPRILES EYE!!! VERY IMPORTANT DECISIONS WITH TAKING Construct FARADAY BOX. Electronic Harassment: Voices in My Mind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmE4oTXYmf4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmE4oTXYmf4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw ORGANIZED HARASSMENT ESTALKERANETAS USA EUROPE. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e0JEPkmyJQ&list=PL17CE4A1D72DDB699 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e0JEPkmyJQ&list=PL17CE4A... cahnel history Vatican Organized Crime and the Mafia in Sicily (History Channel Documentary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMfNtwXupoE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMfNtwXupoE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw NEUROSKI AUDIFONOS PARA QUE HABLES CON TU PENSAMIENTO. LOS COMPRAS AQUI. www.neuroski.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tr4CjtGtvg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tr4CjtGtvg CASO DE ACOSO ELECTRONICO ESTADOS UNIDOS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlkJTWENwkI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlkJTWENwkI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNOvF9iMhw
zerr 13y ago
Couple of points for your article: Regarding the C++ self-assessment, it depends to whom your talking to. If it is a 10+ years of exp. hard core C++ programmer, then your point is right. But if it is some recruiter clerk - who just writes down your answers to compare with other candidates' answers later, then it is 10/10 :) Another answer could be: "for your company, it is 10/10" depends on the company, of course. But all in all, I find this score based questions quite stupid. Instead, you should ask for past projects using that particular language. * Now regarding your algorithmic part. Tell you honestly, the fact that the candidate implements the Dijkstra's algorithm quickly, because she implemented it twice, 2 weeks before the interview tells me just that - that she implemented it 2 weeks ago, twice.... I'd more value a candidate who have never implemented it, or implemented it 10+ years ago but doesn't remember details - when given the details/specs and a sufficient amount of time, and can implement it. Overall, I prefer when the candidate can come up with the higher level solutions - knowing when to use e.g. Red-black (or any other balanced) tree, shortest path algorithms, suitable containers - data structures, etc... for some particular problems. The actual (hence 2 weeks ago) knowledge of every specific details of how to implement these is not that important.

AdamTReineke 13y ago

Have you written a blog post about leaving and your time since then? I'd love to read.

thaumasiotes 13y ago

I was contacted by Google without them knowing I had a degree, although they knew by the time I was scheduled for an interview. Apparently washing out in round one of Google Code Jame 2012 was enough for them to seek me out. I performed to expectation by similarly washing out of the interview. Steve Yegge wrote that you should apply to Google, no matter whether you think they'll take you or not, because it's a desirable position and the cost of failing is low. I spent $200 on a hotel room (not reimbursable), $150 on transportation from and to the airport (not reimbursable), $50 on baggage fees (reimbursable), and two days of my salary (since I wasn't at work when interviewing) (not reimbursable) in order to apply. This could be described as "significant".

objclxt 13y ago
I feel compelled to add to this: degrees are used as a filter for graduate level jobs. I do have a degree, but it's a studio art degree (i.e, painting, drawing, etc). I've had interviews with Google in the past, and like the parent it was just through recruiters getting in touch. At a certain point, your experience matters significantly more than the degree. I also washed out, but it was pretty enjoyable. I certainly wouldn't describe it as a hazing.
thedufer 13y ago
They don't reimburse travel expenses for interviewing? That's surprising, and a shame if its true.
- thaumasiotes 13y ago
  They reimburse airplane tickets (well, actually they pay for the tickets directly), but they don't reimburse "private transportation", e.g. getting from the airport to the hotel.
justinlloyd 13y ago
This presumes that a) You want to work at Google and b) You consider Google to be doing interesting stuff that it would be worth applying. I don't. They aren't.
13y ago

lgieron 13y ago

In my case, being recommended by a Googler was enough to get the interview.

dyno12345 13y ago

They don't require a degree if you have significant experience, and a referral from a Googler helps. (Source: don't have a degree, interviewed at Google)