How Hard Is It to Get a Google Internship? [ANSWERED]

Landing an internship at Google is not only challenging but also an incredibly valuable opportunity that can serve as a powerful launchpad for your career. With only 1,500 interns selected out of over 40,000 applications in 2023 in the US, it’s challenging to get a Google internship if you’re unaware of how to approach it. However, the value of a Google internship goes far beyond its selectivity.

An internship at Google offers numerous perks, including a housing stipend, a signing bonus, and medical insurance. Interns are also given meaningful roles in teams and work on real projects where they can have a real impact. This hands-on experience with some of the best minds in tech can dramatically enhance your technical skills and open doors to future opportunities, including full-time roles at Google or other leading tech companies.

While the acceptance rate for Google internships may seem intimidating, you can dramatically increase your chances by understanding the competitiveness of these internships, recognizing the challenges you may face, and taking proactive steps to secure a position.

An internship at Google offers numerous perks, including a housing stipend, a signing bonus, and medical insurance. Interns are also given meaningful roles in teams and work on real projects where they can have a real impact.

Potential interns often find the company’s profile and number of applicants intimidating. But just how hard is it to get a Google internship, and is there an approach that can improve your odds? We’ll answer these questions below.

With an overwhelming number of applications pouring into top tech companies, securing an internship at any major tech firm is highly competitive. Google not only offers a range of internship opportunities but also provides unique perks like meaningful project involvement, collaboration with top talent, and an array of benefits that make these internships particularly desirable for aspiring tech professionals.

Since you’re considering applying for Google internships, you should be aware of the different internship opportunities it offers.

Google Software Engineering Internship

• Overview: One of the most popular programs, this internship is ideal for students passionate about software development. Interns are immersed in real products, contributing to coding, testing, and design. A former Google intern, Randy Raymond, said, “*It wasn’t just the technology that inspired me but the people I shared it with,*” emphasizing how this program opened doors for him, providing both a technical foundation and mentorship that fueled his journey at Google.
• Duration: Typically 12–4 weeks
• Eligibility: Open to students enrolled in bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programs in computer science or related fields
• Competitiveness: Extremely competitive, requiring strong coding skills and proficiency in languages such as Python, C++, and Java

Google STEP Internship

• Designed for first- and second-year undergraduate students with limited technical experience, the STEP internship provides mentorship and foundational coding skills. Interns often reflect on the significant learning curve, with one saying, “I came in with minimal experience, but by the end, I had built a tool used internally by Google’s engineers—it was a confidence boost like no other.”
• Duration: 12 weeks
• Eligibility: First- and second-year undergraduates majoring in computer science or related fields
• Competitiveness: Highly selective, as it targets students with strong academic potential but less professional coding experience

Google BOLD

• Overview: The BOLD internship program focuses on non-technical roles like marketing, human resources, and sales. BOLD interns work on impactful business strategy projects, such as optimizing customer engagement or developing digital advertising campaigns. Eoin, an intern, expressed that his time at Google was “like having had a refreshing sip of ‘Googlemonade’ in the Sahara of post-college stress,” highlighting the unique personal and professional growth he experienced during the internship.
• Duration: 10–12 weeks
• Eligibility: Open to students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree, preferably from groups historically underrepresented in the tech industry (e.g., women and minority groups)
• Competitiveness: This program is also highly competitive, with the selection process focusing on leadership potential and business acumen.

Google MBA Internships

• Overview: Tailored for MBA students, this internship provides experience in areas like business strategy, finance, and operations. One MBA intern described the experience as “intensely hands-on—I had the opportunity to work on a global pricing strategy that influenced major business decisions.” These internships often place interns on teams working on high-impact projects like Google Cloud initiatives or expansion plans for international markets.
• Duration: 12 weeks
• Eligibility: Students enrolled in MBA programs globally
• Competitiveness: Similar to other Google internships, the MBA internship program is highly competitive, especially given the limited number of positions and the caliber of applicants.

Internship positions can also be in specific subfields in which others may or may not have much interest or experience, such as Google Cloud, Site Reliability Engineering, Research, Customer Growth, etc. Many positions are also location-dependent.

These distinctions mean your application might go up against fewer candidates than you expect. Google’s push to create more diversity in its workplaces also means some candidates will easily stand out, even in a large pool of applicants.

The 125,000 applications mentioned above were not for the same positions. Google has different types of internships in both technical and non-technical areas. Some of the internships available at the company are:

• STEP Internships: The Student in Training Engineering Program targets students passionate about technical roles.
• Software Engineering Internship: This program targets students with an interest in software engineering at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Business internships: This program is for students interested in working on Google’s business teams.
• BOLD internship program: The Building Opportunities for Leadership & Development program is a favorite for students with a non-technical educational background. Interns can join diverse teams in areas such as sales, finance, and operations.

Internship positions can also be in specific subfields in which others may or may not have much interest or experience, such as Google Cloud, Site Reliability Engineering, Research, Customer Growth, etc. Many positions are also location-dependent.

These distinctions mean your application might go up against fewer candidates than you expect. Google’s push to create more diversity in its workplaces also means some candidates will easily stand out, even in a large pool of applicants.

Regardless of your matching skills and experience, there are a few challenges unique to Google internship programs that you must be aware of and prepare for. Here are some of them discussed in detail:

Standing Out in a Competitive Candidate Pool

Over 125,000 applications were received by Google for internship positions in 2019. This, paired with its reputation of being among the best places to work in the US, guarantees a competitive candidate pool for internship vacancies, which often serve as stepping stones to full-time roles.

To overcome this challenge, you have to focus on standing out from other great candidates. This often includes crafting an excellent resume and highlighting why you’re a great fit for the position, emphasizing technical or business accomplishments. One effective strategy is to use the STAR method, which helps articulate your achievements by detailing the situation, task, action, and result of your experiences. This structured approach can help you convey the impact of your work effectively.

As internship positions mostly target students who lack industry experience, you must be prepared to demonstrate your accomplishments on previous projects with data-backed metrics.

Detailed Interview Process

While not as decorative as the full-time roles, the Google internship application process for students follows a similar approach to filter candidates. Here is how it typically goes:

1. Initial Assessment: The recruitment process often starts with the Google Hiring Assessment (GHA), which contains questions that cover areas such as ethics, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. For technical roles, expect coding exercises at this stage as well.
2. Technical Interviews: You might undergo 2 to 4 technical interviews conducted via video call throughout a span of 2 weeks. Depending on the internship, these interviews may focus on coding challenges, data structures, and algorithms. Candidates are expected to solve problems while explaining their thought processes, particularly for software developer roles. Additionally, you might need to complete mini-projects, such as coding exercises or case studies.
3. Behavioral Interviews: These interviews assess your cultural fit through questions about teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving scenarios, often woven into technical discussions.

After all interviews are completed, a hiring committee reviews the feedback to make a final decision. You might receive updates within 2 weeks after all the interviews have concluded.

Technical and Adaptability Requirements

Interns at Google work like full-time employees and are expected to participate and make meaningful contributions to the work done by teams. Being an intern will be demanding, but candidates must possess specific skills or experience levels to even secure these positions.

Internships in technical areas can demand skills that include expertise in programming languages, machine learning, or data science. Communication and problem-solving skills are also essential.

Internship programs may also have specific education requirements. For example, some programs are only open to students enrolled in MBA or PhD programs. Experience or interest in niche fields such as computer vision or natural language understanding may also be required.

The fast-paced nature of projects at Google means you must be prepared to quickly learn new technologies and adapt to changing priorities. This requires a proactive mindset and a strong desire for continuous learning. The ability to thrive in a dynamic environment is crucial, as you may be involved in various projects that push the boundaries of technology and innovation.

Google’s Unique Culture

Google emphasizes cultural fitness a lot when it comes to hiring interns and full-time employees. Interning at Google means adapting to a unique corporate culture that values innovation, creativity, and collaboration. As an intern, you are expected to engage with diverse teams and contribute to groundbreaking projects, which may require adaptability and a willingness to embrace change.

Now that we’ve cleared up the common misconceptions about how difficult it is to get an internship at Google, let’s discuss how actually to land one.

Getting a Google Internship may be challenging, but it’s far from impossible. Here is a process you can use before and during the application process to increase your chances of securing the role.

1. Optimize Your Application

Getting a Google internship may be challenging, but it’s certainly achievable. Here’s a streamlined process you can follow before and during the application process to increase your chances of success:

• Identify Your Goals and Align With Google

Understand what it means to work at Google—familiarize yourself with its culture, values, teams, and expectations. Reflect on your personal beliefs and career goals, and articulate why a Google internship is significant for you. This alignment will help you create a tailored resume and demonstrate authenticity during interviews.

• Tailor Your Resume for the Position

Your resume should directly reflect the internship requirements. Rather than simply updating your existing resume, craft a new one specifically designed for the job description. Use data to back your claims—quantify your achievements and clarify your contributions to team projects. This should be done while maintaining a concise format, ideally limited to one page.

A practical approach is to use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to effectively communicate your accomplishments.

• Leverage Referrals

Securing a referral can significantly boost your application’s visibility. With many resumes to sift through, a recommendation from a current employee signals to recruiters that you’re a serious candidate. Reach out to college alumni or individuals who share your interests for potential referrals.

Networking can also be beneficial, such as attending campus events or Google-hosted functions to connect with recruiters and employees.

Find out what it means to work for Google, including the culture, quirks, teams, and expectations. Also, take time to reflect on your personal beliefs and career goals and why landing an internship position at Google matters to you.

Identifying how your values align with Google’s will help you craft an individualized resume and demonstrate authenticity in interviews.

2. Apply to Adjacent Google Programs

Exposure to Google as a company is a great way to learn its inner workings and put you on the radar of company insiders. Participating in Google events and programs such as the BOLD Immersion program is an excellent way to achieve this.

The BOLD immersion program is a multi-day event where undergraduates get exposed to what life is like inside Google. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the technology the company is working on and network with existing employees. It can also give you an advantage when you apply for the BOLD internship later.

In addition to the BOLD Immersion program, consider participating in Google’s Code Jam and other student competitions, such as Google Kick Start and Hash Code. These competitions are designed to challenge your coding and problem-solving abilities, allowing you to showcase your talent in a competitive environment. Engaging in such events strengthens your resume and helps you connect with other talented individuals and professionals within the tech community.

3. Prepare for Interviews

The interview process at Google may be your biggest hurdle. There are multiple interview stages, and you could be eliminated at any point. You’ll have to be prepared to handle both technical and behavioral questions.

Technical aptitude is a great first step, but it’s not enough. You’ll need to learn how to communicate effectively and explain your thought process to interviewers. Additionally, showcasing your “Googley” side is crucial.

Google interviewers also famously look for a quality termed “Googleyness.” Googleyness isn’t a specific thing, and candidates may struggle to showcase it. You can get expert input through Interview Query’s coaching service to help bring out your inner Googleyness.

Make mock interviews an essential part of your interview preparation to practice answering behavioral questions and thinking aloud. We offer regular mock interview and AI Interview sessions for this exact purpose.

4. Ace Every Interview and Wait

Interview processes at Google are quite dynamic. Successful applicants have described their interviews as feeling more like hangouts with lots of laughing and conversing. Be flexible with your expectations and let your personality shine through.

Once the interviews are done, you may have to wait a while before getting a response. Successful candidates also go through a host matching phase and only get internships if an interested host selects them. Also, be sure to send your interviewer a follow-up email thanking them for their time.

5. Get More Experience to Boost Your Google Internship Application

Past experience significantly impacts your internship application at Google. This experience could include other internships, projects, hackathons, jobs, volunteering, and student activities.

If you have enough time before the Google internship, consider applying to other internships and jobs you can undertake before then. You can also look for nearby events and activities to gain transferrable skills and valuable experience to add to your resume.

Check out open internship positions at other companies on Interview Query’s job board.

A Google Internship can be a career-shaping experience and the key to landing a permanent role at the company. The process is competitive, but the right skills, experience, and interview preparation can allow you to get your foot in the door.

Interview Query can assist with that last bit.

You can find questions asked during Google interviews on our site, plus answers. You can also access questions tailored to specific positions at Google, including data analyst, data engineer, data scientist, and machine learning engineer, and interview guides for the software engineer, business intelligence, and business analyst positions.

Landing a Google Internship role is undoubtedly challenging, but don’t let that stop you. You might have the secret sauce that recruiters are looking for!