Comment by hythloday

I have zero formal education past A levels, but I've had two in-person interviews at Google and had an offer, and I have their charming recruiters chasing me to make sure I wouldn't be happier working for Google every 6 months or so. :)

It does take a ferociously long time to get through the initial screening if you just send them a CV, and I'm sure a lot of people fall through the cracks - my suggestion would be to find a Googler or Xoogler and ask them to recommend you, I understand you get a lot more traction that way. Chin up.