[null_para]

Little bit off-topic; at least you get interview call from GOOG. I've never had that privilege of interviewing with Google. Though I've always applied for their design positions. And I was always referred by someone working at Google (and that too stellar recommendations). I've interviewed with all the biggies (including some of the hottest companies) but never with Google.

P.S. By the way, I have undergrad in CS too

[rosser]

I think part of the problem with Google's hiring process is the attitude you're demonstrating here, where somehow even just interviewing with them is some sort of "privilege". Yes, I know they have to deal with a stupendous number of applications, and much of their process is a direct result of that sheer volume, but so long as people walk around with that kind of attitude towards them, they're given all the excuse they need to be imperious about it, to boot.

[null_para]

Agreed. By the way I remember talking with Google recruiter when recently I was in school (one of the west coast elites) doing my masters; he told me the best way to get into Google is via internship. I was interested in working at startup for internship and told him the same. He bluntly told me that its impossible for me to get a job at Google then.. :)

P.S. His prediction was true and I never interviewed at Google. However, I got job offer from one of their biggest rival :)

[mindcrime]

I've never had that privilege of interviewing with Google.

GOOG is just another company... it's not some special privilege to interview with them. In fact, not everybody would want to work for them... I, for one, turned down a chance to interview with them a few months ago. I don't see much that strikes me as particularly appealing about working for Google, especially compared to the opportunity of doing a startup of my own.

If anything, based on sheer size, I'm fairly confident that I wouldn't enjoy working at Google. Some of us just like smaller companies, with less bureaucracy and what-not.