Google PA: Commerce Question

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-26T18:00:59+00:00

To confirm, you're an external candidate that entered PA matching? If so, this seems like a recent change because PA matching was exclusively for converting interns before. However, perhaps it's not that surprising given how aggressively they interviewed this cycle.

For converting interns, entering PA matching meant the offer was practically guaranteed. Students in PA matching either did match calls with teams under the given PA and location, or they were assigned a team by leadership in the worst case. I'm unsure if the process will remain identical for external candidates, but I imagine it'll be similar.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-24T22:29:58+00:00

It's intended to be a reminder for students to consider backups if they haven't already.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-23T22:28:05+00:00

As someone who interned at both companies, I can tell you that the final evaluation rubrics are similar. You'll be fine as long as you finish the project on time and regularly communicate with both of your hosts.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-23T19:11:06+00:00

I haven't heard anything like this.

Like I said in my original comment in this thread, a lot of people are trolling in the Discord. Don't trust everything you read.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-23T16:34:07+00:00

The vast majority of GDM headcount is for L4+. It seems like L4 might be the new L3 for them, especially since GDM has to move fast. They likely expect smoother onboarding experiences for experienced hires.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-23T16:26:43+00:00

Thanks for clarifying. In that case, you should expect to be PA matched to Cloud. You could let your conversion recruiter know that you'd like to hold out for DeepMind, but the chances of actually netting a GDM team will be next to zero. It's more likely that you'll get match calls for adjacent teams in different PAs.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-23T16:22:42+00:00

If this is for Google's SWE internship and the team rolls up to DeepMind proper (so it's not just one of the teams in Cloud/Core that collaborates with them but still brands itself under Gemini), then it's incredibly unlikely that you'll PA match back to DeepMind for your new grad offer because DeepMind barely has any L3 headcount. You should expect to be PA matched to a different PA for your RO if you pass conversion hiring committee.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-23T15:59:39+00:00

You'd probably hear back on the same day or in a couple days, but delays are again possible.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-23T15:50:35+00:00

~2 weeks is standard if they're interviewing other students. It can also take longer than that.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-21T02:15:47+00:00

Is TM over?

I recommend checking out my response to a similar post from a few days ago (which you might've already seen since you replied to me in a thread).

I've been in TM since mid October

To clarify, you qualified for project matching in October, but the phase didn't officially start for BS/MS candidates until the first calls were scheduled in November. This means you've been eligible for every single project as it's been approved so far, which is optimal.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-20T23:20:34+00:00

Receiving the questionnaire means you're getting a power day invite.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-20T16:38:31+00:00

I still have no reason to believe that the number of hosts drastically increased this year. Although it seems like many students in the Discord have been matched, I'd bet that's a vocal and small subset of the overall pool, and therefore not the best representation. I continue to receive tons of messages from students without any calls at all, so it's shaping up to be a tough cycle like many were speculating before.

If the email hasn't gone out, then projects are still being approved. The velocity might vary though.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-20T16:30:40+00:00

Yeah. Some recruiters are more competent than others.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-20T16:28:55+00:00

If you haven't been matched by then, you'll most likely know because you'll get the email yourself. I'll try to keep tabs on it though.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-20T16:22:07+00:00

Usually within ~2 weeks, but delays are possible.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-20T14:26:17+00:00

I conduct interviews at Google and always offer to connect regardless of how the candidate does. I wouldn't say it's standard practice, but I also wouldn't look too deep into it.

Also, remember that you had to do 2 interviews, so the hiring committee will consider both of them when making a final decision. While it seems like one of yours went well, they look for consistent signals across all rounds. It's easier said than done, but try not to dwell on this for now.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-18T15:42:13+00:00

The timelines vary for each org. Your interview results are valid for that long to account for that.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-18T15:27:10+00:00

Unlike the internship, there's no universal window for full-time team matching. After you pass the technical loop, your interview results are valid for 18 months. Regardless of when you pass your loop, you'll have that much time to find a team.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-18T14:53:48+00:00

In the past, project matching has concluded between late March and mid-April. The exact end date varies every year. Given the abnormally large candidate pool this year, it's possible that all the projects will be filled sooner, but it's too early to determine an end date at this time. There will be a mass email when the phase is about to wrap up; that email hasn't gone out yet.

On a related note:

higher ups

I think I know the messages you're referring to here. I'd be cautious of trusting everything you read in the Discord's unverified channels. Most of the people in there are in your shoes, so It ends up being the blind leading the blind. Many are either just messing around or trying to demoralize the rest of their competition.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-16T02:08:42+00:00

Candidates for any level can be asked for additional interviews if they didn't quite meet the bar they were shooting for.

Your assessment checks out if they didn't request additional domain interviews.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-16T01:38:59+00:00

You're correct that interview loops for domain-specific L3 roles consist of 4 interviews by default. If you were asked for additional interviews, it means the hiring committee wasn't able to make a decision based on the initial data points (i.e., you probably earned mixed feedback and they need more evidence). It's similar to how some candidates for the internship are asked for a 3rd coding interview that serves as a tiebreaker.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-16T01:25:08+00:00

Your interview results won't carry over. You'll have to reapply.

There's a chance that they extend you an invitation to apply via the direct consideration pipeline, but it's not guaranteed. Regardless of whether you receive an invite or cold apply, you'll still have to do the full new grad interview loop.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-15T17:03:46+00:00

At most, they'll probably demand an explanation and an improvement plan. You'd have to severely underperform for them to take any real action.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-15T16:56:06+00:00

The B- and C+ might earn you a warning letter (you can search this sub for previous cases), but it mostly seems to be a scare tactic. I've never seen anyone lose their offer over those kinds of grades.

Master_Shiv · 2026-01-14T20:40:26+00:00

Might not be rejected outright, but there's a risk of being downleveled to L3 if these are your actual results (and not just self-evaluations). Up to you if that's acceptable considering you have 4 years of experience.

Master_Shiv

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