Google Advertising Solutions Architect Interview Process - gTech Ads Large Customer Sales

Having gone through the interview process for the Google Advertising Solutions Architect role within gTech Ads Large Customer Sales, I’m happy to share my experience and provide a detailed breakdown of the process. This role focuses on providing technical expertise to large enterprise clients, helping them leverage Google’s advertising products effectively to drive business growth. The interview process is thorough, designed to assess both technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities, as well as your ability to engage with clients at a strategic level.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process for the Google Advertising Solutions Architect typically involves several stages, including an initial phone screen, technical assessments, and onsite interviews. Below is a breakdown of each stage and key insights based on my experience:

1. Initial Phone Screen (Recruiter Call)

The first stage is a phone interview with a recruiter, usually focused on your general background, experience, and motivation for applying. This interview is relatively high-level and focuses on getting to know you as a candipublishDate.

• Why Google? Expect to be asked why you are interested in Google and why you specifically want to work in a technical sales architect role within the advertising space.
• Your Experience: The recruiter will walk through your resume to understand your technical background and sales experience. Be ready to discuss your experience with digital advertising, specifically with Google Ads, and how it applies to solving business challenges for clients.
• Behavioral Questions: The recruiter will also ask about your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with teams. They’ll want to know about times you’ve worked with cross-functional teams to deliver solutions.

Example Question:
“Can you describe a challenging technical problem you solved in your last role? How did you approach it?“

2. Technical Screen (with Hiring Manager or Senior Engineer)

If you pass the recruiter call, the next stage is a technical screen with a hiring manager or a senior engineer from the gTech team. This interview is designed to test your technical understanding of Google Ads products and your ability to communicate complex technical concepts.

• Technical Knowledge of Google Ads: You’ll need to have a strong understanding of Google Ads, including Search, Display, Video, and Analytics products. Be prepared to discuss how these products integrate with clients’ existing systems and how to optimize them for large enterprise clients.
• Problem-Solving and Solution Design: You’ll be asked about specific scenarios where you might need to architect a solution for a client using Google’s advertising products. This is where you’ll need to showcase your ability to design and implement technical solutions that align with the client’s business objectives.
• Systems Integration: Understanding how Google Ads integrates with other systems (like CRM tools, data platforms, etc.) is critical. Be ready to discuss how you would integrate a client’s advertising strategy with their backend systems.

Example Question:
“How would you approach designing an advertising solution for a client who wants to run cross-channel campaigns across Search, YouTube, and Google Display Network?”

Example Task:
“Let’s say a client in the retail industry has a large catalog of products but is struggling to optimize their campaigns across Google Search and Shopping Ads. How would you structure their campaigns for better performance?“

3. Case Study or Practical Assessment

For the case study or practical assessment, you’ll be asked to walk through a real or hypothetical client scenario and design an advertising solution that meets their needs. This stage tests your ability to apply your technical knowledge in a practical way.

• Client Scenario: You may be given a detailed client brief outlining their business goals, current ad spend, and the challenges they face. You’ll need to design a strategy using Google Ads products to address these challenges. Expect to consider a variety of factors, including budget, performance goals, and audience targeting.
• Technical Depth: You’ll need to delve into technical details, such as optimizing keyword targeting, setting up ad groups, tracking conversions, and using advanced bidding strategies. You may also need to demonstrate how Google’s automation and machine learning can improve campaign performance.
• Client Communication: This is a client-facing role, so be prepared to discuss how you would explain your technical solutions to non-technical stakeholders. Google values clear and effective communication.

Example Case Study:
“Your client is a large e-commerce brand looking to increase online sales but is limited by their advertising budget. They want to scale their Google Ads campaigns effectively. How would you recommend structuring their account, and what automation features would you use to optimize performance?“

4. Onsite Interviews (Final Round)

If you pass the previous rounds, you’ll be invited to an onsite interview, which is typically a full-day event with multiple rounds. You’ll meet with different team members, including sales engineers, other solutions architects, and possibly a senior executive. Expect a mix of technical and behavioral questions.

• Behavioral Questions: These focus on your ability to work with clients, solve problems, and collaborate within a team. The interviewer will be assessing whether you fit into Google’s collaborative and client-focused culture.
• Deep-Dive Technical Questions: Expect to dive deeper into your technical knowledge, including discussing specific Google Ads products and how they can be tailored to different industries. Be prepared to answer questions about optimizing campaigns, troubleshooting issues, and managing large-scale ad accounts.
• Client Scenarios: Similar to earlier case studies, you may be asked to respond to complex client scenarios. These will test your ability to think on your feet, balance technical solutions with business objectives, and communicate your ideas clearly.

Example Behavioral Question:
“Tell me about a time when you had to manage a challenging client expectation. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?”

Example Technical Question:
“What would you do if a client’s campaign was underperforming, despite meeting all the typical best practices for targeting, bidding, and creatives?“

5. Final Interview with Leadership (Optional)

For some candipublishDates, especially those applying for more senior positions, there may be an additional round with leadership. This is where you’ll discuss your career goals, your ability to manage complex projects, and how you align with Google’s values and mission.

Key Areas to Prepare For

• Google Ads Products Knowledge: You must have a solid understanding of Google Ads and its different features, including Search, YouTube, Display, and Shopping Ads.
• Technical Solutions Architecture: Be prepared to discuss how you would design complex advertising solutions, integrate systems, and troubleshoot issues.
• Client-Facing Communication: As an architect, you’ll need to explain complex technical concepts to clients. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach these conversations in a simple, client-friendly way.
• Data Analysis and Optimization: Google values data-driven decision-making. Be prepared to talk about how you analyze campaign data to optimize performance.
• Cross-Channel Campaigns: Understanding how to leverage multiple Google Ads platforms (like Search and YouTube) in a holistic advertising strategy is crucial.