Google Technical Program Manager Interview Process

Technical Program Managers at Google drive a wide spectrum of technologies from Youtube and Adwords to Search and Android. Their role is crucial to ensure that these technologies function seamlessly when they reach the end-user.

It is no surprise that Google deals with enormous amounts of data and uses complex processing and security tools to ensure the smooth and hassle-free functioning of applications and technologies. Technical Program managers liaise with multiple teams, including Data Engineering, Software Engineering, Machine Learning, and Engineering Design, to ensure there are no hiccups in deployment.

The interview process for Technical Program Managers at Google is significantly challenging, particularly because of the complexity involved and the acumen needed to execute the role’s responsibilities. If you are preparing for Google’s Technical Program Manager interview, this article will help you understand the interview process in general.

If you are preparing for technical interviews, check out our interview questions page and salary negotiation ebook to get interview-ready!

Also, read Google Interview Questions and How hard it is to get a job at Google for specific insights and guidance on Google tech interviews.

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Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:

• Google Technical Program Manager Interview process
• What to expect at Google’s TPM interview?
• Google TPM interview questions and tips
• Gear up for your next TPM interview

The Google Technical Program Manager Interview Process

The interview process for Technical Program Manager positions at Google comprises three main stages.

1. The Recruiter Screen
2. The Technical Screen
3. The On-site Interview

The Recruiter Screen

This round is common to most interviews. A recruiter from human resources will get in touch with you to ask you a few basic questions on your experience, past organizations you worked with, your current compensation, and your skill sets in general. If your skills and experience are in line with the role’s responsibilities, you’ll be invited to the Technical Phone Screen Round.

The Technical Phone Screen

This round is usually conducted by a current TPM from Google. Technical questions in this round are mostly based on the project/technology you’ll be working on. For instance, if you are applying for a TPM role for Youtube, questions will revolve around the technicalities of the application, scalability, design, and coding aspects of the technology.

You’ll also be asked a few design questions and general questions on project management that include scheduling, risk management, resource allocation, etc.

The main idea of having a Technical Phone Screen round is to gauge whether your skills and experience are worthy of being considered for the On-site interview.

The TPM On-site

The On-site interview can have anywhere between 3-5 rounds, mostly dependent on the seniority of the position you’re applying to.

The three rounds include:

• Program management interview – In this round, you’ll be asked questions about project ideation, designating tasks, resource allocation, and execution.
• Technical interview – This round tests your technical abilities around distributed systems design, software architecture, and a bit of coding (a problem on core data structures and algorithms)
• Leadership interview – This round tests your ability to manage a team, your experience with managing teams, and how you’d react to specific workplace situations. Also called the behavioral interview, this round carries substantial weight while making a hiring decision.

Related Reading: Microsoft Program Manager Interview Process and Prep

What to Expect at Google’s TPM Interview?

Here’s what you can typically expect at Google’s TPM interviews.

• Technical questions around distributed systems design and perhaps one coding problem to test your problem-solving capabilities.
• Free lunch during the on-site.
• An additional interview if hiring managers are satisfied with you but want to test you a particular parameter before closing.
• 5-10 minutes at the end of each on-site round to ask any questions you have to the interviewer.
• They will assess you on four main areas: general cognitive ability, leadership skills, the type of projects you’ve worked on, and how much of a cultural fit you’d be at Google.

Google TPM Interview Questions and Interview Tips

There are typically three kinds of questions asked at Google for a Technical Program Manager Role: Program Sense, Technical, and Behavioral.

For sample interview questions and some proven tips to nail your next TPM interview, check out our comprehensive piece on Google Technical Program Manager Interview Questions.

Related Reading: Cracking Amazon Technical Program Manager Interview Questions

Gear Up for Your Next TPM Interview

If you wish to ace TPM interviews at top tech companies, enroll for Interview Kickstart’s Technical Program Manager Interview Masterclass.  The program is tailor-made to help TPMs crack the toughest tech interviews at the biggest companies.

Our alums have landed dream jobs at the biggest tech companies, thanks to an intensive program that includes an exhaustive curriculum, mock interviews, special training for behavioral interviews, and 1-on-1 mentorship with instructors from FAANG and tier-1 companies.  

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