Where to study for Google interview?

Preparing for a Google interview requires a focused approach, combining theoretical knowledge with practical problem-solving. Here are some of the best resources and platforms where you can study and practice for a Google interview:

1. LeetCode

LeetCode is one of the most popular platforms for coding interview preparation, especially for Google interviews. It offers thousands of problems across a variety of topics such as arrays, trees, dynamic programming, and graph theory. You can also filter problems based on companies like Google, to practice questions specifically asked in their interviews.

• Focus Areas: Data structures, algorithms, dynamic programming, graphs.
• Recommended: Start with easy and medium questions, then gradually move to hard problems.
• Google-specific practice: LeetCode has a Google interview tag that filters questions commonly asked by Google.

LeetCode

2. HackerRank

HackerRank offers coding challenges that mimic real-world coding problems, and it’s another great platform for practicing data structures and algorithms. You can also practice mock interviews, timed coding challenges, and problem-solving competitions.

• Focus Areas: Algorithms, data structures, and system design (for more senior roles).
• Mock interviews: HackerRank’s mock interview section allows you to simulate a real interview environment.

HackerRank

3. Design Gurus

For structured interview preparation, especially system design and coding patterns, Design Gurus is an excellent resource. It offers step-by-step guides on tackling coding problems and system design questions, specifically targeting interview preparation for companies like Google.

Courses to Study:

• Grokking the Coding Interview: This course focuses on coding patterns that frequently appear in interviews. Learning these patterns will help you solve problems efficiently.
• Grokking the System Design Interview: A must for mid-to-senior roles, this course covers how to design scalable systems, a key focus in Google's system design interviews.
• Grokking the Advanced System Design Interview: For advanced system design prep.

Design Gurus

4. Cracking the Coding Interview by Gayle Laakmann McDowell

This book is considered one of the best resources for coding interview preparation. It covers over 180 coding problems, walks you through solutions, and offers insights into the interview process at top tech companies, including Google.

• Focus Areas: Algorithms, data structures, and behavioral interview tips.
• Special Feature: It provides a great explanation of problem-solving techniques and common interview questions.

Cracking the Coding Interview on Amazon

5. Interviewing.io

Interviewing.io offers mock interviews with real engineers from top tech companies like Google. The platform allows you to simulate live technical interviews, giving you feedback and helping you identify areas of improvement.

• Focus Areas: Mock coding interviews with real-time feedback from experienced engineers.
• Google-specific interviews: You can request mock interviews with interviewers who have experience at Google.

Interviewing.io

6. Exercism.io

For those looking to deepen their understanding of specific programming languages, Exercism.io offers practice challenges and mentor feedback across a wide variety of languages, including Python, Java, and C++.

• Focus Areas: Language-specific challenges to strengthen coding fundamentals.
• Mentorship: You can receive feedback from mentors on your solutions.

Exercism.io

7. AlgoExpert

AlgoExpert is designed to help you practice coding questions and system design interviews. It provides a curated set of interview problems, along with detailed solutions and explanations. It also has a SystemExpert section for system design interview preparation.

• Focus Areas: Data structures, algorithms, and system design.
• Google-specific prep: Many of the problems and design questions reflect the type of challenges asked in Google interviews.

AlgoExpert

8. System Design Primer (GitHub)

This open-source GitHub repository is a treasure trove of system design resources. It provides in-depth explanations and design patterns that are useful for preparing system design interviews.

• Focus Areas: Scalability, fault tolerance, load balancing, and high-level system architecture.
• Recommended for: Candidates applying for senior positions or roles requiring deep knowledge of system design.

System Design Primer (GitHub)

9. DesignGurus.io

DesignGurus.io offers free mock interviews where you can practice coding and system design problems with other users. You’ll be both an interviewer and interviewee, giving you a chance to experience both sides of the interview.

• Focus Areas: Mock coding interviews and peer feedback.
• Useful for: Practicing under pressure and improving communication skills.

DesignGurus.io

10. Google Interview Warmup

Google itself provides a tool called Google Interview Warmup for practicing general interview questions. While it's not specifically designed for technical roles, it can be useful for practicing behavioral and role-specific questions.

• Focus Areas: Behavioral interview preparation.
• Best For: Getting comfortable with answering general interview questions.

Google Interview Warmup

Conclusion

To successfully prepare for a Google interview, use a combination of platforms like LeetCode for coding practice, Design Gurus for learning interview patterns and system design, and Interviewing.io or DesignGurus.io for mock interviews. For more structured preparation, books like Cracking the Coding Interview and the System Design Primer on GitHub are excellent resources.

With consistent practice and a strategic approach, you can build the skills needed to succeed in your Google interview!