My behind the scenes interview of life at Google, if it’s a good company to work for and how to get a job there.
It’s one of the largest and most known companies in the world.
In 2022, it was valued at $1.54 trillion. Its name is in the English dictionary as a verb to look up something online.
It’s hard to even imagine a time before Google.
I sat down with a friend, Ana (not her real name as she wished to remain anonymous), who’s been in a communications role at the giant tech company for two years.
Here’s what I learned about what it’s like to be a ‘Googler’, as they call themselves.
1. What made you want to work for Google?
I was attracted to work there because of the company’s resources and creative culture. The brand, of course, played a part. Although working for a well-known brand should never be your end all and be all.
Innovation was also a factor. I wanted to work for a company where I could make an impact. And when you think of innovation and impacting the world, you think of Google.
But what made me really want to work there was when I spoke to people in my network who worked at Google.
Specifically other women from ethnic minorities who were based in Google in London. Those conversations convinced me that it would be a good fit.
Coming out of the pandemic, where the company I’d worked for had a toxic environment, I wanted to work in a positive and supportive workplace.
2. Was it hard to get a job at Google?
There were four official interviews and two informal rounds to meet some of the colleagues I’d be working with. I also had to do writing tests, but that may be a role-specific requirement.
Each interview had a different theme of cognitive ability, culture, role, and leadership.
The interview I enjoyed the most was on culture, or your ‘Googliness’ as they call it. They genuinely want to hire people who want to change the world and believe they can.
As my interviews were during the pandemic, they were all virtual.
Often all I could see was the top of my interviewer’s head as they were busy scribbling their notes. I wondered why that was.
They explained that they were trying to anonymise my responses to remove any bias, for example, by not referencing gender pronouns when they wrote my answers.
It showed in the interview process that they were committed to social fairness and equity.
3. How did you prepare for the interviews?
There are some official and non-official websites that can help you prepare for interviews at Google. I also reached out to the people in my network for advice.
Google also sends you information about what to expect from the interviews.
It was stressful, but I felt well prepped, not just because of my experience but because of the research I did and the people I spoke to.
4. How long did the interview process take?
There had been a pause in recruitment during the pandemic.
When the hiring freeze was lifted, their recruiters were looking to fill roles quickly.
The interview process is probably usually lengthy, but in my case, it was packed in a short period. In total, it took about 4-6 weeks.
The process will, of course, depend on which team or department you’re going into, which could be longer or shorter.
Although now, with the economic downturn, recruitment is likely to slow down again.
5. What were your first months like?
When I joined, it annoyed me that people kept asking me if I had imposter syndrome working at Google.
If you’re talented, experienced, and good at your job, know your worth.
Especially as women and ethnic minorities, people want to make you feel as if you should be grateful to be here.
I am, but I also know what it took to get here. So no, I don’t have imposter syndrome. I proved myself already.
6. Now that you’ve been there for for a couple of years, what is life like at Google?
It’s very fast-paced. People answer emails as soon as you send them.
If someone sends me an email at 8.30am, if I haven’t replied by 10am, they’ve cc’d someone else to see who can respond.
People at Google are very time-poor. They send meeting invites for 15 or 25 minutes. The longest meetings you’ll have are usually 45 minutes.
Meetings of one hour or more are considered inefficient at Google.
There are also many acronyms which can feel like a new language. Every company has that, but it’s on steroids here.
I joined virtually during the pandemic, but we’re now back in the office.
You also forget how privileged we are. I’m unlikely to find a company that offers more perks than Google.
My dream was always to work for a charity or NGO, but I’ve gotten used to the good life here.
We’re very lucky, but we also work hard for the company, so it goes both ways.
7. Can it feel overwhelming to work for such a big brand?
Google is a brand, but I’m also a brand.
If I get fired tomorrow, I still have value to offer another company. There are parts of Google I respect and appreciate.
But, like any other company, it can also make mistakes and let people down.
I’m, therefore, not walking around thinking all my worth and value is from working at Google.
8. What is the downside of working at Google?
When I meet people, I don’t tell them I work at Google.
I say I work in tech. I want people to know me for who I am, not where I work.
I’ve been in situations where people don’t make time for me. Then when I tell them I work at Google, they’re all of a sudden interested.
On the other hand, I’ve also had people who aren’t fans of Google wanting to debate the evils of Google tracking their data. I’ve had all sorts of weird interactions.
I’ve noticed, though, that I don’t tend to disclose that I work for Google as I did with other companies I’ve worked for.
9. What has surprised you about working there?
How my love of their G-suite products is now cemented for life!
It’s been a complete game-changer for me. I can never go back to Outlook now!
Google can also be disorganised in other areas. I’ve worked on projects for YouTube. It’s been chaotic and sometimes felt like working for a start-up.
10. What would be your final tips for anyone wanting to work at Google?
Be yourself and know your brand.
You’ll meet people at Google who worked at NASA. I’m not a former astronaut, but I know my value.
If you’ve had a few years of work experience, it’s no longer about just doing your job. That’s a given. It’s about who you are.
How do you make a difference in the world? What type of leader are you? How do you impact others? Do you contribute to your community?
These are things that people overlook but say a lot about you. It’s how you set yourself apart.
That’s what Google loves and values. The office toilets, for example, have signs saying, ‘Be Googly and don’t use the disabled toilet.’
They want to know who you are, your values, and most importantly, how you show up in the world.