I spent Xmas break reviewing the most recent TopCoder problems, C++ and STL, and read Sedgewick's algorithms book cover to cover. I drank two quad espressos right before the interview. The interview was a straightforward process and I didn't miss a single question. The offer came that evening.
I should have turned it down. I've written on this thread already what a career-churning waste of time my brief stint at Google turned out to be because I was blind allocated.
Fortunately, the skills that got me noticed by Google were in demand elsewhere then (and, ironically, in demand at Google now) so I just exited the building when it became clear HR had labelled me a troublemaker for trying to find a position that made use of my talents rather than opt for the career reboot they seemed to expect of me. Great perks, but the 2nd worst gig I've had my entire career.
A consulting company that hired me to develop PS2 tools and then yanked the rug out from under me on day one and told me I had to write a fast MPEG-2 codec from the ground up in the next 60 days despite zero zip nada null knowledge of MPEG-2.
I quit after a month or so. Later I learned their bait and switch tactics were S.O.P. and the company mostly existed to fund the CEO's various mistresses.
I should have turned it down. I've written on this thread already what a career-churning waste of time my brief stint at Google turned out to be because I was blind allocated.
Fortunately, the skills that got me noticed by Google were in demand elsewhere then (and, ironically, in demand at Google now) so I just exited the building when it became clear HR had labelled me a troublemaker for trying to find a position that made use of my talents rather than opt for the career reboot they seemed to expect of me. Great perks, but the 2nd worst gig I've had my entire career.