Preface: This is not a bitter story about my hate for Google; I actually love Google and use nearly all of their services. I did not receive an offer from them but I did learn a hell of a lot about interviewing, algorithms, and Google from my adventure. I’m just hoping that by writing this story I might get some attention and then maybe get paid pack for my journey.
On November 10th I drove from Cleveland Ohio to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania for an Interview with Google. Here is a link to the approximate Google Maps route I took. The interview went very well; everyone was really energetic, positive, and extremely intelligent. They all asked great questions that I’ve never been asked at any other interview; unlike my Microsoft interview where I actually knew the answers to some algorithms by heart since I’ve been asked them so many times. The office in Pittsburgh is very bright, cheerful, and “Googly”. They’ve got a projector that shows a flyby using Google Earth of Pittsburgh with buildings and everything, pretty neat. But that’s not what this article is about.
Here is an excerpt from the “Google Candidate Remibursement Policy”:
If you use your own car for travel, we’ll reimburse you $0.375 per mile. You’re responsible for fines, tickets, court-dates, bad karma, and all other expenses incurred as a result of traffic violations when traveling for interviews—please drive safely and kindly.
Sweet, so from my link it looks like Google owes me 134 * 2 * $0.375 = $100.50 exactly. Now this money won’t make or break the bank but I am a college student and I could certainly use it for bills/gas/food.
Another excerpt:
Send all your original receipts to your recruiting coordinator, and don’t panic if you don’t receive your check the very next day—it takes about 8-10 weeks for it to arrive.
Ok, 8 – 10 weeks. But you can’t very well give a receipt for gas right? I mean, who’s to say I had a full tank when I left but that tank got filled up weeks ago, does Google pay for that gas? So I sent an email to the recruiter on November 16th and the response was:
I can take care of that for you. But what I’ve done in the past is print out directions from your house to the office from www.googlemaps.com. =)
Fast forward to January 5th, still no check. I sent another email asking about the status and confirming the address used to send the payment. Here’s that response:
I’ll check to see if your expenses were processed as well as the status and will follow up. Thanks for your message!
Have a great weekend!
Fast forward to today, February 16th, 14 weeks after my interview. I never got a follow up from my recruiter so I sent another email checking in on the status. If they respond today I’ll edit this entry with the body of the email.
Please digg this story; maybe I’ll get some attention from Google that way.
UPDATE:
Here’s my latest response from Google:
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to locate your reimbursement through our files. I’m afraid what might have happened was during your interviews, there was a huge shuffle within the reimbursement group; therefore, there could have been a disconnect some where. But we will get you your reimbursement! I’m really sorry for the inconvenience, but would you have copies of your receipts? If not, I can try another route, by contacting the airline and hotel you used. If you can refresh my memory, that would be great. I have records of you telling me you wanted to fly, but then I found an email of you stating you drove to the Google office. I’m sorry I can’t remember exactly what happened.
Again, I’m really sorry Ben. But I will get you your reimbursement.
We’re getting somewhere, thanks Google!
Tags: Google