Dinh Van Thanh, 23, recently celebrated a significant career milestone. Shortly after graduating with honors in computer science from VinUni University, he received an offer for a software engineer position at Google Taiwan on 3/7. His role will focus on Google Home smart devices, including speakers, televisions, and doorbells.

"I'm overjoyed to have achieved my dream," Thanh said, acknowledging the extensive preparation and lengthy interview process involved.

Thanh emphasized the importance of gaining practical experience. From his first year, he actively participated in AI and blockchain startups and secured third place in the 2022 International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) Asia regional competition. He also completed a five-month software engineering internship at Huawei Hong Kong, focusing on data processing, which provided valuable insights into the workings of a major tech company.

Dinh Van Thanh. Photo courtesy of the subject

Dinh Van Thanh. Photo courtesy of the subject

Thanh initially applied to several companies, including Google Taiwan, Apple, and Meta, early in his fourth year but faced rejection. A connection with Pham Ngoc Hieu, a GenAI/ML engineer at Google Taiwan's Pixel team, proved crucial. Hieu provided guidance and a referral, enabling Thanh to reapply earlier this year.

The Google Taiwan recruitment process involved both interviews and team matching. The initial 45-minute interview presented a coding challenge, requiring Thanh to program live while interacting with the interviewer.

Previous interviews had focused on simply answering questions, but Google emphasized interaction and teamwork. Unfamiliar with this format, Thanh initially struggled to articulate his solutions effectively.

He was invited to the second round, comprising three interviews focused on algorithms and problem-solving. With Hieu's help, Thanh practiced, improved his communication, refined his coding style, and implemented test cases.

"Despite the preparation, I was still nervous due to the difficulty," Thanh admitted.

After clearing the first two rounds, Thanh entered the four-month team matching phase. This involved meetings with seven different teams to assess mutual fit and cultural alignment.

However, rejections and unanswered emails followed, causing anxiety. "I was worried, but I kept myself busy with projects, exercise, and reading," he recounted.

Finally, the seventh team meeting proved successful, culminating in a job offer from Google Taiwan after a six-month application process.

Thanh credits his success to his persistence, support from mentors, and encouragement from his friends, whose diverse expertise broadened his knowledge and enhanced his interactions with the teams.

Hieu, Thanh's mentor, was not surprised by the outcome. He praised Thanh's intelligence and proactive approach in seeking guidance. Hieu emphasized the value of referrals in securing positions at international companies.

Thanh (far right, top row) with his close friends from university. Photo courtesy of the subject

Thanh (far right, top row) with his close friends from university. Photo courtesy of the subject

Professor Doan Dang Khoa, Deputy Director of the VinUni-Illinois Smart Health Research Center at VinUni University, taught Thanh algorithms, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. He recalled an incident where Thanh emailed him, requesting to skip a lab session he deemed too basic. "I thought this was a very interesting student. Thanh always learns exactly what he needs and is willing to push his boundaries," Khoa recalled.

Professor Khoa praised Thanh's rare combination of resilience, diligence, and a tendency to exceed expectations.

Thanh will relocate to Taiwan in November. He is currently learning Mandarin, continuing his projects, and taking time for personal pursuits.

Reflecting on his experience, Thanh advises students to seek internships early, ideally by the end of their second year, to gain valuable experience and clarify their career paths.

Binh Minh