Tawfiq Mohammad, a software engineer at Google, is sharing a practical strategy for computer science students and early-year interns aiming to secure roles at major tech companies: apply early—to first- or second-year internship programs where the hiring bar is lower—and tailor your applications strategically. Muhammad landed two Google summer internships before converting them into a full-time offer. In a recent interview, he emphasized: First- and second-year programs typically use simpler technical screens—often LeetCode easy questions rather than medium-level challenges. Stay organized: Track each application’s status and customize résumés to stand out for every role. Master patterns: Understand the types of problems and data structures tested instead of memorizing individual solutions. Referral power: A personal recommendation—Tawfiq credits a referral from his...