The Complete Guide To Landing A Google Internship

Getting an internship at Google is a great way to gain valuable experience and build your professional network. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to make a switch, Google's internships can provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. 

In this guide, we'll take you through the steps to get an internship at Google and help you stand out from the competition.

Why You Should Pursue An Internship At Google

Landing an internship or a full-time role at Google is an extraordinary accomplishment and there is much to be gained from working there. Not just the compensation and work environment, but also the people you’ll meet and additional opportunities that will come.

It's worth mentioning that Google is a highly competitive company to work for, and the internship program is highly selective, so the experience and the opportunity to work with Google is exclusive and valuable.

With that said, here are several reasons why pursuing an internship at Google will be beneficial to you.

Exposure To Cutting-Edge Technology

Google is at the forefront of many technological advancements and you will have the opportunity to work with some of the best engineers in the industry. Some examples of the technology that Google is currently developing or has developed include:

Real-World Experience

Google's internship program offers hands-on experience working on projects that are critical to the company's operations, giving you the opportunity to make a tangible impact. You will be given meaningful responsibilities and the chance to make a tangible impact on the projects you work on.

You will be working alongside experienced engineers and researchers, who will serve as mentors and guides, helping you to develop your skills and knowledge.

You will also be given access to Google's resources and technology such as their Cloud Platform, TensorFlow and other Machine Learning tools, which you can use to enhance your skills and take on challenging tasks.

Professional Development

Google provides internships with a variety of roles and departments, allowing you to gain a diverse set of skills and experiences that will help you grow both personally and professionally.

Additionally, through the duration of the internship, Google organizes and facilitates various activities, workshops, talks, and events to support the professional development of the interns, and to foster a sense of community and learning.

Networking Opportunities

As an intern at Google, you will have the opportunity to network with a wide range of people from various backgrounds and levels of experience, including industry leaders, mentors, and other interns.

You will be working alongside experienced engineers and researchers, who will serve as mentors and guides, helping you to develop your skills and knowledge. These individuals can provide valuable insight and guidance, and may serve as valuable contacts in the future.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to attend workshops, talks, and other events organized by Google, which will provide you with the opportunity to connect with other interns and employees at the company. These events can be a great way to build relationships and learn about different roles and departments within the company.

Google also organizes social events, team building activities, and other opportunities to connect with other interns, employees, and industry leaders, which can be a great way to expand your professional network.

Job Opportunities

Many interns at Google are offered full-time positions upon completion of their internships, providing you with the opportunity to turn your internship into a long-term career.

Google values the contributions and talents of its interns, and many interns have successfully transitioned into full-time roles within the company. Google will often give priority to their interns while hiring, and you will have the advantage of having already worked on projects and be familiar with the company's culture and processes, which makes you a strong candidate for a full-time role.

Google also offers a variety of full-time roles across a wide range of departments and locations, so there are many opportunities to find a role that aligns with your interests and career goals.

Google’s Culture

One of the things that Google is known for is its innovative culture, diverse and inclusive work environment, great perks, and benefits and a chance to work on meaningful projects.

According to Google themselves, they value “Googliness” which mainly refers to the character of their employees.

It encompasses a combination of factors that make Google a special place to work, including its innovative spirit, focus on teamwork and collaboration, and commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

How To Get An Internship At Google

These are the 6 steps to take if you want to land an internship at Google. It’s easier said than done. Landing an internship at Google is incredibly competitive, but it’s certainly possible. Every year, plenty of hard-working, ambitious, talented people get their dream internship at Google.

Let’s elaborate on these 6 steps.

1. Research Google And The Internship Programs They Offer

As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of internship programs and various internship roles within Google. Get to know these programs and roles as well as Google’s core values and that will set you up for creating a strong resume and cover.

Google's 10 core values are:

These values guide the company's decisions and actions, and are an important part of the company's culture. They are intended to reflect Google's commitment to providing the best possible user experience, being efficient and effective, and conducting business ethically.

2. Create A Strong Resume And Cover Letter

Your resume and cover letter are ofter the first impression that Google will have of you. Thus, it’s crucial to make certain that it’s a good impression. If you fail to make a good first impression, it’s likely that you’ll never be contacted to initiate the first interview.

To create a strong resume and cover letter when applying for a Google internship, consider the following tips:

Example Cover Letter

The cover letter is an underutilized and often overlooked document that can help give a lot of information about you that your resume will not cover. Writing a quality cover letter can set you apart from other candidates applying for the same role and can help lead to an interview.

Here is an example cover letter that you can use as a guide when applying for an internship at Google:

[Your Name]

[Address]

[City, State ZIP Code]

[Email Address]

[Today's Date]

[Google Hiring Manager's Name]

[Google Address]

[City, State ZIP Code]

Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the [position title] internship at Google. As a highly motivated and tech-savvy individual with a passion for the industry, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to the Google team.

I am currently a [year] student at [university] majoring in [major], and I have gained a solid foundation in [related skills or coursework]. In addition, I have completed several internships and projects that have allowed me to develop my skills in [related skills or technologies]. For example, I completed a project on [project name], where I [what did you do in the project]. I am confident that the skills and experience I have gained through my education and internships make me an excellent fit for the [position title] internship at Google.

I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work with such an innovative company like Google. I am a huge fan of Google's mission, culture and products. I am particularly interested in [what area of Google's products or services interest you] and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the development of these products. I am also a strong believer in Google's culture of continuous improvement and learning, which aligns with my personal values.

I am a quick learner and a team player, I have a strong sense of responsibility and I am always willing to go the extra mile to get things done. I am confident that my skills, experience and passion for the industry would make me an asset to the Google team.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

3. Network With Current And Former Employees Of Google

Networking is one of the best ways to land an internship. Especially when the internship is as competitive as those at Google. In fact, I was able to land my first internship because I was networking on a coding forum. Trust me, this works magic.

There are several ways to network with current and former employees of Google if you are interested in getting an internship at the company. Some suggestions include:

It is also important to remember that networking is not just about asking for a job, it is also about building relationships and learning more about the company and industry. Try to be genuine and build connections with people, not just use them as a means to an end.

4. Prepare For The Google Internship Process

The interview process for Google internships typically includes several rounds, including an initial phone screen, one or more on-site interviews, and a final review. The phone screen typically includes basic coding questions and a discussion of your qualifications and experience. 

The on-site interviews are typically conducted by a panel of engineers and can include a mix of technical questions, coding exercises, and behavioral questions. The final review is a review of the interviews and other information provided by the candidate, and a decision is made on whether to extend an offer for the internship. 

The Phone Interview

The phone interview for a Google internship is typically the first step in the interview process. It's usually a 45-minute to an hour-long call with a Google Engineer, during which you will be asked a mix of technical and behavioral questions.

During the call, the interviewer will ask you about your qualifications and experience, and may also ask you to solve one or more coding problems or algorithms. They may also ask you about your past experience with specific technologies or programming languages, as well as your familiarity with Google's products or projects.

Some of the common coding question that could be asked during the phone interview are:

It's important to be prepared to discuss your experience and qualifications in detail, and to be able to explain your thought process and reasoning as you work through coding problems. It's also important to be able to clearly articulate your ideas and communicate effectively during the call.

The On-Site Interviews

The on-site interviews for a Google internship are typically the next step in the interview process after the phone interview. They are conducted in-person at one of Google's office locations and typically last for about 45 minutes to an hour each.

 During the on-site interviews, you will typically meet with several Google engineers and may be asked a mix of technical and behavioral questions.

The technical questions asked during the on-site interview will likely be more difficult and specific than those asked during the phone interview, and may include coding exercises, algorithm design, and problem-solving questions. 

You may also be asked about your experience with specific technologies or programming languages, and how you would apply that experience to a Google project.

Some of the common formats of on-site interview are:

Coding interview: You will be given a problem and asked to write code to solve it on a whiteboard or a shared document editor. The interviewer will evaluate your problem-solving skills, understanding of the problem and your code, and your coding style.

System design interview: You will be given a high-level problem and asked to design the architecture of a system that can solve that problem. The interviewer will evaluate your understanding of the problem, your ability to identify and abstract the key components of the system, and your ability to reason about trade-offs.

Behavioral interview: You will be asked about your past experiences, projects, teamwork, leadership, and your approach to problem-solving. The interviewer will evaluate your communication skills, your ability to work in a team, and your ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty.

It's important to be prepared to discuss your experience and qualifications in detail, and to be able to explain your thought process and reasoning as you work through coding problems and system design questions. Be able to clearly articulate your ideas and communicate effectively and professionally during the interview.

The Final Review

The final review for a Google internship is typically the last step in the interview process. During this step, a team of Google employees will review all of the information and feedback gathered from the phone interview, on-site interviews, and any other relevant information provided by the candidate.

Based on this information, the team will make a decision on whether to extend an offer for the internship. They will consider factors such as the candidate's qualifications, experience, performance during the interviews, and fit for the specific internship and team.

It is important to note that, as part of the final review, the team will also take into consideration the overall hiring needs of the company, the number of open positions, the number of qualified candidates, and the performance of other candidates who are also interviewing for similar positions.

If an offer is extended, the candidate will be informed via email and will be provided with details on the next steps in the process, such as compensation, benefits, and start date. If the candidate is not selected, they will be informed via email as well.

5. Get Involved In Projects That Will Make You A Great Candidate

One of the best things that will help you look good on paper (in your resume and cover letter) are to be involved in projects that show your skills and are relevant to the roles you’re applying for. This shows your skills, you interest in technology, and your initiative to create on your own.

There are several ways to get involved in projects that will make you a good candidate for a Google internship:

As for specific projects that you can make, it will depend on your field of interest and the specific internship you are applying for. However, some great ideas for projects that will help you stand out from the crowd may include:

You can also check the Google Careers website for more information on the types of projects and skills that would be relevant for different internships.

6. Submit Your Application And Follow Up

The best time to apply for a Google internship varies by program and location. However, most internships are posted on the Google Careers website in the late fall or early winter, and applications are usually due in the late winter or early spring. 

It is recommended to check the Google Careers website regularly to stay informed about upcoming internships and their application deadlines.

The best way to submit an application is through the online application process on the Google Careers website. This typically includes submitting your resume, a cover letter, and completing any additional application requirements, such as taking online assessments or providing transcripts.

After applying, it is recommended to follow up with the company about two weeks after the application deadline to inquire about the status of your application. 

You can do this by sending an email to the point of contact listed on the job posting or by checking the status of your application on the Google Careers website. Keep in mind that following up too frequently or aggressively may be viewed negatively.

Crushing The Google Interview Process

If you want to crush the Google interview, it is important to prepare in advance by familiarizing yourself with the company and its products (of which you should have a great understanding by now), as well as common interview questions for the position you are applying for. 

Additionally, practicing coding and problem-solving skills can help you perform well in technical interviews. It's also critical to be able to clearly and effectively communicate your thought process and solutions to the interviewer. It’s not enough to just solve a problem, you have to communicate with the interviewer as you’re doing it.

The Phone Interview

The first part of the interview process is the phone interview. This is what will determine if you make it to the next round of in-person interviews. If you want to crush the phone interview, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Remember that the goal of the phone interview is to show the interviewer that you are a good fit for the role and the team, so focus on highlighting your relevant skills, experiences and achievements that align with the company and the position.

Google’s Interview Questions

In addition to these tips that will help you through the call, it’s important to be prepared with common interview questions that you’re sure to be asked. Here are a few examples of common interview questions you may be asked during a Google interview.

Of course, the questions that you’ll be asked will vary depending on the role you’re interviewed for. However, these are a few that are likely to come up.

The Technical Interview

Once you’ve made it past the phone interview, it’s time to crush your technical interviews! You better believe it will be challenging, but you can do it. Here are a few tips to keep in mind that will help you overcome any obstacle during your technical interview for your internship role at Google.

Remember that the technical interview is not only about getting the correct solution, but also about how you approach and solve the problem. Show your ability to think critically and creatively, and your willingness to learn and adapt.

Technical Interview Questions

By now, you’re probably wondering what are some of the questions that you will be asked during your technical interviews. Remember that the bulk of your interviews at Google will be along these lines. Therefore, this is likely the most important part of the process to prepare for.

Here are a few examples of technical questions you may be asked during a Google internship interview:

Example Of Google Coding Problem

It’s good to know in advance how to solve a lot of these problems. A good resource to practice is leetcode.com or algoexpert.io. However, I’d like to share an example from the list above. 

Let’s take a look at how to reverse a singly linked list using Python. Here, we’ll reverse a singly linked list using an iterative approach. However, this can also be done recursively.

In this example, we create a Node class that has a data attribute and a next attribute, which points to the next node in the list. The reverse_list function takes the head of the list as an input and it iterates through the list by keeping track of the previous node (prev), the current node (current), and the next node (next_node) in each iteration. 

The function then updates the pointers by reversing the direction of the next attribute, so that the last node in the original list becomes the head of the new reversed list and the head of the original list becomes the last node of the new reversed list.

Note that reversing a singly linked list will change the order of the list in place and won't require any extra memory. This is an efficient way to reverse a singly linked list. Practice more problems like this and find efficient ways to solve them and you’ll definitely crush the technical interview!

What Internships Are Offered At Google?

Google offers a variety of internships across different departments such as Engineering, Product Management, Sales, Marketing, and more. These internships are open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates. 

Before you apply, it's important to understand what each program entails and what Google is looking for in a candidate. Some examples of internships offered at Google include:

It is important to note that availability of the internships may vary depending on location and time of the year, among other factors. The eligibility and application process for each internship may also vary, so it is best to check the Google Careers website for the most up-to-date information on specific internships and how to apply.

Google’s 5 Internship Programs

In addition to all of the various internship roles offered at Google, they also have several internship programs that span various departments. When considering an internship at Google, you should definitely familiarize yourself with these programs.

BOLD Program

BOLD (Building Opportunities for Leadership and Development) is a program offered by Google for underrepresented students who are interested in pursuing a career in the tech industry. The program includes a paid internship, as well as workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities. 

The BOLD program is open to high school and college students who are members of groups underrepresented in the tech industry, such as Black, Latino/a, Native American, and Pacific Islander students. 

Additionally, BOLD aims to provide participants with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to succeed in the tech industry, and to increase diversity and representation within the industry.

STEP Program

The STEP (Software Engineering Practicum) program at Google is an internship program designed for students from underrepresented groups in the technology industry, such as Black, Latino/a, Native American, and Pacific Islander students. 

The program is focused on providing participants with the skills and experience necessary to pursue a career in software engineering.

The program typically lasts for 12 weeks and includes a paid internship, where participants work on real projects alongside experienced software engineers at Google. 

During the program, participants attend workshops and training sessions, receive mentorship and coaching from experienced engineers, and have the opportunity to network with other STEP interns and engineers at Google.

The goal of the STEP program is to provide participants with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to succeed in the tech industry and to increase diversity and representation within the industry. 

The program also provides an opportunity for participants to get a taste of working at Google, and to build connections with engineers, managers and leaders at the company.

Spark at Google

Spark at Google is an 18-month program for digital marketing and sales that allows you to gain sales and marketing experience in order to jump-start your career. This program is aimed helping business to achieve their potential with the use of various Google products. 

This program is within the Google Customer Solutions (GCS) team that helps stimulate business growth by advising them on the best ways to use Google’s products to accelerate their business.

If you’ve seen the movie The Internship (2013) with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, this is essentially what you can expect from the Spark program. However, don’t expect the same experience as what was seen in the film.

APM Program

The APM program (Associate Product Manager) at Google is a rotational program for early-career professionals interested in a career in product management. The program is designed to provide participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful product managers at Google.

The program typically lasts for 2 years and includes several rotations, where participants work on different teams and products within the company, gaining experience and learning about different aspects of product management.

During the program, participants receive mentorship and coaching from experienced product managers, attend workshops and training sessions, and have the opportunity to network with other APMs and product managers at Google.

The goal of the APM program is to develop participants into leaders who can drive product vision and strategy, and make an impact on the overall business. Graduates of the program are well-positioned for a successful career in product management at Google or other technology companies.

APMM Program

The APMM program (Associate Product Marketing Manager) not to be confused with the APM program, is full of diverse people that work on a variety of strategic projects. 

Those involved in this program will have two different roles within Google that can include marketing, building brands, working with products, and many others. They have members in more than 25 countries.

Another fantastic benefit of the APMM program is the community. New members have mentors such as former members of this group, as well as their managers and other fellow Googlers. There are a ton of opportunities within the APMM program, so keep this in mind if it sounds like it’s aligned with your interests.

What Is It Like To Work As An Intern At Google?

Working as an intern at Google is considered a highly valuable and competitive opportunity. Interns at Google typically work on real projects, alongside experienced team members, and have access to the same resources and benefits as full-time employees. 

They also have the opportunity to attend networking events, workshops, and other activities to help them learn and grow. It is known for its fast-paced and dynamic work environment, as well as its focus on collaboration and innovation.

The pay: The average base pay for a software engineering intern at Google in the United States is around $7,000 per month.

The length of internship: Google's internships are full-time and last for 12 weeks, starting in the summer. However, longer term internships are available that can last up to a year.

The location of the internship: Google offers internships at several locations within the United States. Some of the main locations where Google offers internships include:

What It’s Like To Be A Software Engineer Intern At Google

As a software engineer intern, you will work on real projects and have the opportunity to contribute to the development of Google's products and services. You will be part of a team of experienced software engineers and will have the opportunity to learn from them.

Let’s look at a few reviews by previous software engineering interns at Google:

Key Takeaways:

When To Apply To An Internship At Google

The best time to apply for an internship at Google is immediately after they start accepting applications for an internship. This is usually 6-8 months before the internship begins. However, it usually does vary depending on the specific internship program and location.

Generally, internships are offered during the summer, but some may also be available during the fall, spring, or year-round.It's best to check the Google Careers website regularly for updates on internship opportunities and their respective application deadlines.

Final Thoughts

Securing an internship at Google is no easy task, but with the right preparation and mindset, you can increase your chances of success. 

By understanding the application process, showcasing your skills and experience, and standing out from the competition, you can make a strong case for why you would be a valuable addition to the Google team. 

Remember to be persistent and don't be afraid to apply multiple times. With the right approach and determination, an internship at Google could be within your reach.