Just got a "no" from Google after going on months long interviews. Feeling so crushed. My interviews went well and only positive reviews. My recruiter said she’d pass along my work to other teams but I cant help but feel so down today after weeks of silence, going through multiple interviews, and having to start all over again. How do you overcome and get your energy back? Also my recruiter offered a call next week to, how would you make the most of this call?
I'm sorry you dealt with that. It really sucks and it's such a blow, I remember those days. My confidence was at a pretty low point. The thing that helped me was to remember that for every job, there are 100s of applicants. That means I have to apply for hundreds of jobs. As awful as that sounds, it's a numbers game and it's not personal. Eventually you'll find the right fit.
would you recommend any tech giant to shoot for , i am looking for work life balance
What's meant for you, will always find you. Maybe you dodged a bullet. This is coming from someone who has landed jobs at top 100 Fortune companies. One of them ended up being a shit show. No support, not enough resources or processes. Everything isn't always what it seems. Take time to process & recharge. Rejection is redirection.
This is so true! So glad you posted this!
I just got the same treatment a few days ago. Spend close to a month going through 5 rounds. I have prepared extremely hard for each round and I was complemented for my efforts. However I was still turned down before the last round.
I really liked the company and it feel really bad to have gone through that.
Now I am back to polishing my portfolio again. I am sure if I can find a job with what I got this time chances are my portfolio is gonna be good for the next couple of years.
My best advice is approach it from a different mindset. For one, Google is merely a brand. These big named companies seem impressive, but they're not. I can say from a decade of experience working with names like IBM, HP, The US Government, and Vizient that at the end of the day, these companies are not the luxurious places you think they are. I've had more interesting times and more fun at smaller companies, hands down.
Two: If you've ever done sales, approach it like it is a numbers game. Every no gets you closer to a yes. The worst situation I've been in finding a new job came christmas last year when my company laid off all of engineering to save money. I searched for months for a good job. Applied to 210 companies (roughly), got 18 interviews, and 1 offer. You have to brush off the no's. There are no real "missed opportunities" just "finding my fit."
Hate this feeling so much- I've been there and it is so tough not to let it bring you down. It SUCKS. My advice is really wallow in the emotion for a day or two, and after that move on. Take the recruiter call for feedback- write it all down! It may come in handy if you get the chance to interview again. Right now, it wasn't meant to be, as tough as it is. There could be so many things going on behind the scenes you aren't aware of as far as hiring freezes or budget cuts for the role. Keep in touch with the recruiter, email in a few weeks and say that you are still actively in the job application process and get a feel for their status.
As someone mentioned, it can be helpful to look elsewhere with great ratings and apply there. Glassdoor's top places to work 2024 list is a good start.
Been there. Brutal. If you got that far you’ve got the talent. Try to find feedback on if there’s anything you could have delivered better.
Remember: You can only control what you do right now today. You can only control how you play the game right now.
I cannot speak for Google or a month long interview process but I have been in the position of being one of a group to vote on who to hire. Sometimes it came down to a skillset we needed. Candidate A is an expert. Candidate B had a class 5 years ago. Sometimes we have a first choice and a second choice. First choice accepts, their company counter offers, then on to second choice. Occassional we have someone that leaves and everyone on the team has a little experience in one aspect of their job. We interview candidates with different skillsets then based on interviews determine how to re-align current roles. The new candidate will fill a slightly different role based on their skill set. Sometimes it is money. What I am saying, try not to take it personally.
I sympathize with your feelings. I've been going on a roller coaster after being laid off. I went so strong and applied for hundreds of jobs at first then time flew by, had some final rounds of interviews but got no responses from the recruiters, I got up and felt like a crap every morning. But hey, just keep going! Apply for more, and try not to think about the interview you/we just went. Having the final round is not a guarantee. Finding something else to do to clear your mind then back to continuing to apply :). Something has to be there at the end of the tunnel, right? Good luck to us!
I feel you. I got turned down by Google also after 5 rounds of interview, all with very positive feedbacks too. The recruiter called me when I was in Disneyland with my family for our summer vacation, talk about a downer! Anyway, all I can say is, all things happen for a reason in life. I got a job offer from the best and most fun company I ever worked for a month later. Hang in there, good things will happen as long as you persevere!
Always be looking, even if you’re in the thick of multiple interviews for that dream job. The more you network and make connections, the less crushed you’ll feel. Get as many irons in the fire as you can. It’s a full time job just looking for one these days, but with a red hot labor market your odds are far greater. 😁
You could try shooting for smaller niche Tech companies. They pay competitive wages and are more stable than the big ones right now.
Sorry to read that, I know it’s a downer.
Always keep getting as many jobs in process as possible.
Don’t slow down because 2 or 3 are going well.
I’ve made it through multiple rounds of interviews many times.
Also, I’ve hired many people and the fact is that after you get through the first few rounds of interviews it’s not really about you.
They start with hundreds of resumes the four or five people to make round three are all about equally qualified. If there is a skill set difference the interviewers certainly are not capable of accurately discerning it.
Of the dozens of interview teams I’ve been on I don’t recall any unanimous decisions.
Basically if you made it to the last 4 or five standing it’s pure happenstance from there on, and it relies more on who happens to be on the interview team and which one has more clout. Remind someone of a favorite niece or nephew you’re in luck, remind someone of an ex you’re out. Lucky to do an interview after someone got great news lucky. Meet someone after their dog dies unlucky..
sounds like you did well at Google, that should give confidence not take it away.
I worked at Amazon and Google...both are comprised of hundreds of teams under their parent umbrella. If a recruiter is floating your credentials to other teams, be encouraged. They get thousands of resumes they have to sort through, so if they want to continue to work with you, then don't feel discouraged. You're already 100 steps ahead of others who are applying. You have an 'insider'. You've got this!
Hey, it’s truly not you but them. I follow key folks on LinkedIn and the hay-day of Google is long gone, sadly! If you had a Time Machine, dial it back to 2006 where the culture that you wanted to work for is there… Sadly this is now the norm.
In truth, you ARE too good for them. The decision to not hire you, is a deeper truth… You intimidated somebody there. Your skillsets and abilities made somebody nervous AF, and decided not to give you a chance to shine, so they said no!
In the end, they did you a solid service! Now go shine on! There’s a place waiting for your light.
I got 2 rejection letters in one day. I understand how you feel
Ugh, wishing you wind in your sails!
Did you ask for feedback on where you were strong and why they didnt choose you?
I had the same in 2021. It is such a demanding process that I hadn't had the will to interview anymore for months.
Perspective. Even when you're in the final 2 or 3, your chances are at best a coin flip. Dust yourself off and move forward. Frustrating when you know that you'd be great for the role, but that happens. Try to get over it. Maybe you're great, but so are a lot of people.
Agreed with the below from Dev 1.
Clearly, you have the background and portfolio to be in consideration at other tech players. The layoffs certainly impacted the opportunity, but make sure to ask the recruiter open-ended questions to dig into the difference between you and the candidate selected. I am finding more internal referrals from higher leaders; maybe the candidate wrote handwritten thank-you notes after the interview or was super personable during their interviews. It's an excellent time to get an upgrade list for your next at-bat.
I'm sorry it didn't work out for you (so far). It seems to be painful for you right now, but when you speak with your recruiter try to be encouraged that you did learn a lot during the process that you can use in future interviews. Ask the recruiter for when they expect you to begin applying again and I would ask for when/if they estimate roles like this one may be available again. It might be time to reconsider your actual goal and pivot to another career choice.
same thing just happened to me today. Taking the day off from job searching but getting back to it tomorrow.
Warch a good comedy series.
If they brought you this far it shows you have qualities they like