👩🏻💻 Google APM internship applications are open for Summer '22
Application timelines and links, resume advice, and interview prep resources
Hi all,
Google’s APM recruitment calendar is evolving quickly this year, with updates almost every day — but one thing we know for sure is that applications for Associate Product Manager internships for Summer 2022 are now open. You’ll have until September 16th (Thursday) to apply, but I’d recommend applying by September 15th (Wednesday) to avoid any time zone ambiguities.
Let me quickly run through what you’ll need to apply, how to package a strong application, and how to prepare for your Google interviews down the line.
(If you’re looking for info about the full-time APM application, don’t fret — I’ll be posting about that in just a few days.)
What you’ll need to apply
To be eligible for the APM internship, you need to be:
A current college junior (class of 2023, though it’s OK if you’re graduating early in late 2022), or a Master’s/PhD student graduating in 2023 or later
Studying Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Applied Math, or a similar field
Based in the US during the internship, for which it really helps to be studying in a US university. (Google also offers APM internships in London or Zurich for Europeans; those applications will open in a month or so.)
The main things you’ll need to apply are your university transcript and your resume.
Crafting a Googley resume
Google PM recruiters look for very specific things on your resume, so be sure to mention them as often as possible. In roughly decreasing order of importance:
Specific CS classes you’ve taken. Name-drop as many hot tech concepts as you can, such as ML, AI, big data, UI/UX, AR/VR, blockchain, etc. Just listing the names of courses is often useful, since they tend to be jam-packed with buzzwords.
Experience “founding” or “creating” something. This includes starting companies or tech projects, launching new clubs, building communities, writing newsletters, etc. Anything that could be seen as entrepreneurial is going to be incredibly useful for your Google resume.
Prior coding or software engineering experience — ideally at an internship, but school projects and clubs will work too. If you’ve interned at big tech companies or hot startups, really emphasize those companies’ names so they pop when someone’s skimming your resume.
Knowledge of programming languages (Python, Java, etc.) and frameworks (React, Node, etc.). It doesn’t really matter which ones, but just mention as many as you can fit.
Teaching Assistant experience, especially in CS classes.
Including these five topics should get you most of the way there, but if you want to learn key words and phrases to include, which sections to include or skip, and formatting and layout techniques, I’ll point you to Product Alliance’s resources.
Apply!
Here’s the application link for Google’s Summer 2022 APM internships. Again, try to apply by September 15th!
Interview prep resources (including the free ones)
Once you’ve submitted your application, get ready for the interviews, which could start in as little as a few weeks. Usually there’s a phone screen or two, then a series of final-round interviews over Google Meet.
Consider reading these as you prepare:
In the Plex, a great book that goes deep into Google’s culture and history.
Anything in Ars Technica or The Verge about Google, or anything recent in 9to5Google, to get you familiar with Google’s latest products, trends, opportunities, and challenges.
Cracking the PM Interview, which still gives a great overview of Google’s style of product management and a solid approach to product design interview questions.
I also recorded a free webinar with Product Alliance, where I teach some techniques for answering Google’s toughest product strategy questions. Just visit Product Alliance’s Google course page and scroll down a bit until you see the popup.
Of course, you can also enroll in the full Product Alliance course to get all the Google interview techniques, strategy teardowns, past interview questions, etc. The bundle (which includes all their courses, including the Google one and the resume prep one) is currently 75% off, and you can use my coupon code to get an additional $25 off.
Good luck!
The Google APM internship is remarkably competitive, and the timeline is especially tight this year — but hopefully this information will help set you up for success. Get your application in without delay, and good luck!
I’m a former Google APM, but everything I’ve written here is based on public information and my own opinions, and in no way reflect official Google information, policies, or views. Ask a Google recruiter for the official line!
To get more updates and resources for advancing your product management career: