My Google Summer Internship Experience (Off-Campus Application)

My journey began with an off-campus application for the Google Summer Internship 2026 Batch. I made sure my resume and profile were well-polished and aligned with the role's requirements. Shortly after applying, I received an email notifying me that I had been shortlisted.

Resume Screening Round:
I participated in a 20-minute resume screening session where the interviewer inquired about my projects, highlighting my tech stack and achievements, and my overall experience, sharing practical applications of my skills. I focused on communicating my work clearly and concisely, which I believe made a good impression.

Virtual Session:
Following the screening, I attended a one-hour virtual session hosted by Basil. This session was incredibly insightful, covering tips and tricks for interview preparation and strategies to approach technical problems efficiently. As a first-time interviewee, it significantly boosted my confidence.

Interview Process:
Unfortunately, my technical interview was postponed five times before it finally took place. When it did, the problem I was presented with was a variation of the 'Buy and Sell Stock' question, which was of medium difficulty. I took ample time to fully understand the question and explained my approach clearly, which the interviewer seemed to appreciate. However, due to time constraints and network issues, I struggled with implementing the solution and unfortunately lost track of time. Although I asked follow-up questions and clarified my doubts, I couldn't complete the problem effectively.

Outcome:
A few days later, I received a rejection email. While disappointing, I am still grateful for the opportunity. Being part of the Google interview process taught me invaluable lessons that I believe will greatly assist me in future endeavors.

Key Takeaways:

• Time Management: I learned the importance of practicing solving problems within strict time limits to simulate real interview conditions.
• Problem Understanding: It's crucial to stay calm to focus on understanding the problem thoroughly and articulating my approach clearly.
• Adaptability: I need to learn to deal with unexpected challenges like technical issues or tight time constraints more effectively.

Although the outcome wasn't what I had hoped for, this experience provided me with a solid foundation for handling interviews, and I am optimistic about future opportunities.