20 Tips for Landing a Job at Google
In addition to being a hugely successful tech company as explained at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com, Google is known for its employee benefits and perks including health insurance, student loan reimbursement, and flexible work schedules, in-office snacks, and fitness centers, among others. This is why it receives millions of applications each year. If you want to improve your chances of your application being successful, here are 20 tips for landing a job at Google to set you on your way.
Find your match
The first step to getting a job at Google is finding your match as per RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. Google is always hiring for tons of jobs in all different departments. Find one that appeals to you so that you can then focus on tailoring your resume and applications as a whole to that job for increased success.
Focus on your resume
Once you find a job that interests you, make sure you get your resume right so that it can stand out from the many applications Google receives for every job opening. Make sure you align your skills and experiences with the job description, you are specific about projects you have worked on or managed, talk about any leadership roles you’ve held, include school-related projects or coursework if you are a recent university graduate, and that you keep it short.
Tailor your application
According to RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com, recruiters at Google review applications with the qualifications listed in the job description in mind. Therefore, make sure that your resume reflects these qualifications.
Take a phone or Hangout video
During phone or Google Hangout interviews, you will speak with a potential peer or manager at Google. Most of these calls will last between 30 minutes to an hour. According to Google’s career page, prospective candidates should “be prepared for behavioral, hypothetical, or case-based questions that cover your role-related knowledge”.
Know what Google wants in an employee
While Google is interested in the skills employees bring to the job, the company also highlights the importance of candidates’ passions, as well as their “distinct experiences and perspectives”. Read everything you can find online about working at Google to find out if this might be the place for you to work.
Apply for multiple jobs at once
The hiring process at Google can take a few weeks, or even a few months, since the company is very selective in its hiring as articulated at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. You can apply for multiple jobs at once, but not an endless number of roles. Google allows candidates to apply for three jobs every 30 days.
Prepare for Google’s behavioral interview approach
Google follows a behavioral interviewing approach. This means you will need to be ready to provide examples and anecdotes to back up your resume. Your interviewers (and expect to meet at least a few of them) will want to know what you have accomplished, not what your job was.
Be ready to share stories
As already mentioned, your interviewers will be interested in what you have accomplished and not what your job was as captured at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. Therefore, be ready to share stories and specific examples of what you have done.
Know the skills that will help you get hired
If you want to land a job at Google, you should be aware of the skills that will help you get hired. Some of the qualities that tech companies seek out in candidates include cognitive ability, intense curiosity, innovativeness, algorithmic thinking, divergent thinking, ability to mine big data, analytical skills, etc.
Find available opportunities
Google has its own bespoke career search tool to help you find a role that matches your skillset and career ambitions. The tool allows you to find Google jobs by location (including remote-eligible jobs), skill, level of education, job type, and area of Google’s business you are interested in such as FitBit, YouTube, or Wing.
Check out LinkedIn
Google’s website isn’t the only place where to find an ideal match as covered at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. Another option is LinkedIn. LinkedIn catalogs thousands of opportunities across Google. A basic search with the name of the company will automatically tailor the results that you see according to the skills and experience you have listed on your profile.
Consider a Google internship as a stepping stone
Another thing to consider when looking to land a job at Google is a stepping-stone into the organization is applying for a Google internship. An internship is a great way to gain experience in a field you are interested in, as well as making connections and finding out if you would actually enjoy the career path in the long run.
Google prefers candidates who apply with intention
Most career advisors recommend always keeping an up-to-date resume handy, updating it little by little as your career progresses, even during periods of career stability, a method that means that you always have a resume ready for an unexpected opportunity. However, that is now what Google wants from you. Google isn’t looking for candidates who apply by accident, on impulse, or in the spur of the moment, the company is looking for keen, passionate, committed people who are applying to be part of their mission with intention as described at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com.
Be specific with your resume
Google advises writing a new resume for the specific role you want. The company is looking for specifics. Why was that project directly relevant to the role you have applied for? What data demonstrates excellent performance? Etc.
Be innovative with your resume
Google loves innovation as already mentioned, therefore, why not create a resume that is creative too? It is a sure-fire way to catch the company’s attention and stand out from the sea of applicants. If you are particularly tech-savvy, you could even create a resume website.
Leverage the ‘Build your future with Google’ service
A great way to work if a career with Google may be for you is through Google’s flagships ‘Build your future with Google’ service discussed at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. This service offers you opportunities to connect with current Googlers, both directly and indirectly.
Register for Google’s events
You should also consider registering for one of Google’s events, such as its Careers OnAir program of events. These global, online-hosted events are themed around one of several topics. From ‘transitioning from college to industry’ to ‘demystifying candidate accommodations’, you can register to join a future event or watch one that has already been run previously.
Direct communication
There is also the option of resorting to direct communication through a platform like LinkedIn or Twitter as outlined at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. Corporations like Google deliberately set up profiles on social media platforms designed to engage with and encourage new talent to apply for their business.
Ace the sample tests and assessments
If your application is successful, Google may ask you to take a short sample test/assessment for certain roles. Google will want to put you through your paces and test your technical ability and you should prepare for this test.
Polish your LinkedIn profile
Polishing your LinkedIn profile can make you look like an organized and intellectual candidate. An approachable LinkedIn profile may also make networking with Google employees easier. Try to mirror the job posting and Google’s core values on your profile.
These are some of the tips to help you land a job at Google, with more on this topic, and much more, to be found over at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com.