Who Wants To Work At Google?

Posted On 19 May 2021

Who Wants To Work At Google?

19 May 2021
Who Wants To Work At Google?

Candidate Resource, Employer Resource, EST10 Team, News & Events

Who Wants To Work At Google?

It’s a rhetorical question. The majority of 20 and 30 somethings we interview mention Google and Facebook as their ‘dream’ workplace.

The funny thing is, though, it’s mentioned, not with hopefulness but rather in a despondent, bleak, ‘I’ve given up’ kind of way, as in, it’s never going to happen, but I’ll mention it to you anyway.

This blog is not about debating whether Google and Facebook are the best places to work. I mean, of course, for me, I’m living my dream of where I want to work, and that is what this blog is indeed about: how to realise your dream place of work.

Let us start with Google. Our very own Jamie O’Reilly has realised her dream in securing a role contracting to Google. I am about to share with you exactly how she achieved this.

Just before I cut to the chase, let me provide some background, as it also plays a part in how Jamie achieved her role at Google.

It’s about character.

James (as is her nickname at EST10) worked with us for nearly 3 years and did an outstanding job. She left Australia to return to the UK and gave us a generous notice of 2 months. When she arrived in the UK, she continued to work with us remotely for another 2 months while looking for her dream role. Jamie made EST10, her candidates and clients a priority.

On many occasions, I have mentioned the importance of resigning and exiting your job the ‘right way’- it should be in the same way you started—with respect and gratitude. Of course, there is more to this than what is ‘right’. In short, we tend to remember what was at the very end, our latest or last experience, with everything that happened prior not having as much focus. Always close the door gently!

When Jamie was interviewing for other roles, she advised that she was still working with us, so she would need to interview around her work commitments, as well as provide notice. In a world where, unfortunately, self-centeredness is becoming our norm, Jamie’s behaviour showcased her integrity and respect.

Employers love to see this. It is hard to display or show these values and attributes via an interview question, but your behaviours are your truths and will always bear witness to your character.

Now to Google—it starts with effort.

By effort, I mean exertion. It took Jamie hours to do the preparation and research for her Google interviews. This was not a cursory scroll on your mobile en route to the job interview. This was nights and nights of research and practice. If you want something enough, put the effort in. Try!

  • The research. Find an exciting fact that resonates with you and isn’t the ‘norm’, i.e. not obvious—go beyond the first page. So, when the interviewer asks, “why would you want to work at Google”, instead of saying, “it is Google!” use one of these facts you have sourced. Simply saying, ‘it’s Google!” lacks depth. You would be surprised how common this style of response is. Yes, it’s delightful to hear because it is usually delivered with a high level of enthusiasm, however, you are the same ‘as the others’.​Instead, Jamie found facts and information that she loved, spoke to her heart and, in her words, thought were ‘cool’. One of these was, ‘On the 16th of August 2013, Google was unreachable for 5 minutes. In that time, the World Internet usage declined by 40%.’ That piece of information backed up her previous statements about wanting to work for a company that had a big impact on the world.As a professional interviewer, I can tell you, hands down—when a candidate delivers that level of detail and thought to a question, we are running, no, carrying you to the interview. You have us hook line, and sinker. Your engagement is our engagement. You are vested in the job as much as we are.
  • Research, the person you are meeting. Look at their LinkedIn profile and delve into their company history. Base your questions around their background, so its more connected and personal and not generic.
  • Read thoroughly the job advertisement and any information about the role itself. This will prepare you for the specific questions that are likely to be asked and honed-in on instead of expecting generic questions.
  • Be personable. It’s ok to be human; in fact, you should absolutely be human and yourself. If you ‘mess up’, fumble over your words or make a mistake, it’s ok. Apologise, start again, and do not panic.
  • Build a relationship with the person interviewing you! It makes any mistakes more forgiving. When we have rapport, we start developing trust, and with trust, we are forgiving. Do not forget to interview the person who is interviewing you—not in an entitled/ obnoxious way, but rather in a curious, interested, and inquisitive kind of way.
  • At the end of the interview, ask questions to show your enthusiasm, not for the sake of it.
  • Feedback– ahhhhh! The best gift you can receive when on the mission of securing your dream job. In every interview, ask for feedback and ask how they think the interview went (we call this closing ?). This will help you to understand where you stand straight away. It also shines a light to the interviewer that you are keen to learn, improve and it demonstrates your proactiveness. This question is always received in a positive light!

What to also know about Jamie’s interview is that it was not a slick, polished, slam dunk interview. Jamie was nervous and fumbled on her words a bit, but she was authentic. She allowed her own quirky behaviour to shine through and was confident, despite being nervous. Knowing Jamie and knowing how much she wanted this role and the work and effort she put into it, I have no doubt that her interviewer would have warmed to Jamie straight away.

To secure these dream roles, you have to really want the role—to the point where you go all out and try with all your might and effort to do what you can, to impress and do well. When we are in this state of mind, we channel a part of our brain that ‘finds a way’.

I used the word ‘despondent’ at the beginning to signal that you must have enthusiasm, energy and drive and not be lacklustre. As interviewers and hiring managers, we love nothing more than seeing this in a candidate. We love the effort and people being proactive.

Now, it will be disappointing if you do not secure ‘that’ job, but I can assure you, the experience you would have received on this journey will set you well ahead for your next interview. Do not be afraid of not being successful ‘this time’—it’s just a setback to the path towards your greatness!

So, if you want THAT job, apply yourself to the nth degree!

Good luck!

‘If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s’  – Carl Jung

About the author
Roxanne Calder
Managing Director

As Founder and Managing Director at EST10, Roxanne has an all-encompassing role that includes building and growing the business, as well as actively recruiting and consulting.

After completing a Bachelor’s Degree at Monash University, Roxanne began her recruitment career with renowned recruiter Julia Ross. From there, Roxanne worked in HR and recruitment with a number of global players and boutique businesses throughout Australia, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong for over 20 years. She has been responsible for managing large teams and projects, implementing RPO models, managing and assisting businesses to an IPO and assisting companies in setting up their recruitment teams and processes.

Following completion of her MBA at the Australian Graduate School of Management, Roxanne launched EST10 in July 2010. In doing so, she hoped to combine the flexibility and high touch service levels of boutique agencies with the structure and strategy afforded to larger firms. Roxanne believes in high-touch, high-care consulting and is always on the lookout for consultants that share this vision of recruitment.