Insider tips to getting hired at Google

Although at the end of all of it, it may seem like an extensive process but that’s not all of it that Google does to make sure they are hiring the right candidate for Google. If hired, Google expects you to work on tons of projects with different groups of Googlers, across many teams and time zones. So expect to be interviewed also by potential teammates and some Googlers from completely different teams to give you a sense of what working at Google is really like. This helps Google see how you might collaborate and fit in at Google overall. An independent committee of Googlers also review feedback from all of the interviewers. This committee is responsible for ensuring that Google’s hiring process is fair - and also time consuming!

It may take more time than you think to get that interview call so make sure there’s something else that you are doing apart from waiting for the call as Google recruitment infamously takes months. And just in case you get the call apart from preparing the answers you better bring some questions of your own as they expect you to ask as well.

In the interview Google is mainly looking for smart, team-oriented people who can get things done. When you interview at Google, you’ll likely interview with four or five Googlers. And they’re mainly looking for four things:

Leadership
Google wants to know how you’ve flexed different muscles in different situations in order to mobilize a team. This might be by asserting a leadership role at work or with an organization, or by helping a team succeed when you weren’t officially appointed as the leader.

Role-Related Knowledge
Google is looking for people who have a variety of strengths and passions, not just isolated skill sets. Google also want to make sure that you have the experience and the background that will set you up for success in your role. If you are an engineering candidate, Google will be looking to check out your coding skills and technical areas of expertise.

How You Think
Google isn’t much concerned about grades but more interested in how you think. Google is likely to ask you some role-related questions that provide insight into how you solve problems. It’s all about your thinking process and how you would tackle the problem presented and last thing you want to do is to get hung up on nailing the “right” answer.

Googleyness
Now you must have heard about some wacky questions that Google asks in any interview this is only to find out if you have enough “Googleyness” in you in order to thrive in the company. What scares you – Tell me a joke – What prank you would pull on your x manager if you are hired – so you see you can’t prepare for ‘Googleyness’, this is also a chance for your recruiters to see your comfort with ambiguity, your bias to action and your collaborative nature.

If your resume is selected for review you still have a long way to go. Even though Google has taken huge strides in Artificial Intelligence its real humans who read your application, they are experts in interpreting resumes and familiar with all the jobs at Google and not just the one you applied for.
They are mainly looking to match the qualifications listed in the job description so you need to pay extra attention to listing out your background and aspirations in line with what they are looking for. And there is a chance that they find you fit for a different profile. And if recruiters find a potential match, they’ll schedule a call to learn more about your skills and experience.

Once you are hired you are introduced to the world of Google benefits. Google has extensive benefits for you and your family including health, travel, education, legal et al. Google has comprehensive health care coverage for the family, Googlers and their families are covered with travel insurance and emergency assistance - even on personal vacations. New parents get time off and some extra spending money to help them welcome their new bundle of joy. Google also keeps you learning as it reimburses you for classes or degree programs that help you with what you do and Googlers can also get legal advice at no cost and of course a gazillion other perks including unlimited snacks!