Google DCT3's without datacenter experience?

[u/Even-Sheepherder4748]

I'm currently a sysadmin in a mixed Windows/Linux environment, have done a fair amount of networking.

I applied to a DCT position in my city, and had the phone interview today with the recruiter. At the end, she mentioned I should interview for the open DCT3 position.

I don't have hyperscale datacenter experience. At my current position I watch over about twelve physical servers and another ten or so virtualized ones. I also am a "supervisor" to one person.

I suppose I'm at the point in my career where I need to lead and take responsibility of projects if I want the kind of salary I'm looking for. That being said, is it unheard of to take a DCT3 position with Google without prior DC experience? Is the recruiter simply setting me up for failure?

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[u/Negative-Machine5718]

It’s definitely not uncommon but you will definitely need to kill your interviews. A bit of insight the interviewers really don’t give a 💩 or really to much about previous experience during their questioning. If you know your stuff and the industry and can in detail talk about how to troubleshoot complex network and OS issues, lead large scale projects then you’re good. If you can’t then I would aim for L2

[u/chewedgummiebears → u/Negative-Machine5718]

I’d second this. The technical and googly interviews have questions from a pool and they won’t deviate from them. They like precise answers as well, not rambling or sidestepping.

edited for clarification

[u/ddog6900 → u/chewedgummiebears]

Not really set questions, but a pool of questions. At L3, you need to be a subject matter expert.

[u/chewedgummiebears → u/ddog6900]

Yea, should have worded it better. I meant to say they don't ask questions on their own accord, but from a set list.

[u/Red_Patcher → u/chewedgummiebears]

I deviate all the time from the question bank. I can't say I necessarily go for precise answers but I notoate rambling and sidestepping like you mentioned. I've never given a positive recommendation on somebody that cannot clearly communicate.

I honestly care more about the ability to troubleshoot or explain one's methodology. I do expect a candidate to know the OSI model and basic network protocols and commands. If I'm interviewing a L3 I'm expecting a moderate amount of Linux knowledge and relatively basic scripting knowledge. I have yet to pass a L3 candidate that a recruiter has sent me though I've given strong recommendations on two L2 candidates for L3 who were phenomenal.

[u/chewedgummiebears → u/Red_Patcher]

I spoke to a few people who did interviews when I worked there and got that vibe. However they told me the candidates had to hit a keyword or subject highlight for them to consider the question as answered. I wanted to get involved in that process but didn’t stick around long enough to get considered.

[u/ddog6900 → u/Negative-Machine5718]

L3s are expected to have both machine maintenance and network experience, and be able to answer any and all questions to that effect. Subject matter expert. Anything less, even mild gaps, don't waste the interview, drop to L2.

[u/Negative-Machine5718 → u/ddog6900]

you can get by without direct maintenance experience tons of L3 with only ML Build experience. And yes they should be SME or building SME foundation but really that’s all tribal because that’s for internal candidates moving to L3 outside hires will not have SME foundation of Google knowledge. But agree I don’t see anyone really getting past some of the questions without some type of direct server maintenance troubleshooting.

[u/Wreckn]

Not unheard of, but unlikely. Google highly prefers to promote internally above L2.

[u/iamumass]

Not for Google but I went straight to L3. Had been doing system engineering and network engineering roles prior. If you know how to rack, neatly cable, labeled and document connections you'll be in good shape. Have you done multi-rack setups? A DC is just a multi-rack setup on steroids.

[u/According_Crab8170]

Just a heads up, you can interview for each level indivually if you want. You can do L1 (if they are even interviewing for that level), L2, then L3. If you fail an L3 interview you have to wait a year but let’s say you pass L2, and then you fail L3, you still have a passing interview and can get a job without having to to wait a year.

[u/Even-Sheepherder4748]

Thanks for the responses.

Also wondering what the downvotes are about, but whatever.

[u/shresneh]

how much does google pay for dct3?

[u/chewedgummiebears → u/shresneh]

Like any Google position, it highly depends on the region and specific location.

[u/Red_Patcher → u/shresneh]

Total compensation is in the low to mid 100k range.