Most students today, especially those planning to study STEM courses, dream of working in one of the Big 4 tech companies of the world – Google, Amazon, Facebook or Apple. Of these, Google tends to attract the most interest. Do you ever find yourself wondering how to plan your college and course just so that you can get a job at Google eventually? If so, then read on!
Is it hard to get a job at Google?
If you are wondering how tough getting hired at Google can be, let’s put it this way – it is easier to get into an Ivy League college like Harvard, than to get a job at Google. Why? Simply because Google is one of the most popular companies in the world to work at, and over 3 million people apply for jobs at Google each year. The competition, naturally, is extremely intense! So then, how can you get a job at Google?
How to get a job at Google
While getting hired at Google is not easy, it can be done if you have the right skills and the necessary preparation. Once you are in, remember, Google is one of the best employers to work for. Think flexible work hours, amazing colleagues to work and learn with, campus cafes, health care, avenues for professional development, generous family benefits, and more!
What does Google look for in a candidate
Contrary to popular belief, perfect grades are not the way to impress Google as a candidate. What the hiring committee (it is never one person) at this organisation looks for, can be grouped into four categories:
Cognitive Skills
Google puts a very high value on the candidate’s cognitive skills. Cognitive skills relate to your ability (and willingness) to observe, learn, and apply knowledge to solve problems. This is probably the most important aspect to showcase, if you wish to get hired at Google. This also includes analytical skills i.e. the ability to collect information about a situation, analyse it, find potential solutions to problems, and take the best possible decisions.
Leadership
Google wants to hire candidates that show a unique kind of leadership that does not necessarily stem from a formal designation. The formal word for this is emergent leadership. These are people who can influence others, step up to offer solutions when the situation demands it, and inspire people to align to a cause or objective.
Googleyness
Yes, that is a word! Googleyness is about culture, and your Googleyness refers to whether or not you will be a good fit into the organisation’s culture. So what are the traits that count towards increasing your score here? Those in the know share some qualities that Google looks for:
- Ability to collaborate and work well with teams
- Mental strength to deal with ambiguous situations
- A bias towards taking action
- Humility and the ability to acknowledge when others are right
Coding Skills (for technical roles)
Naturally, if you are applying for a technical position at Google, expect to be tested on your coding and technical skills. If you want to get hired by Google for a non-technical role (e.g. HR or Marketing) then you don’t need to worry about this one – instead, you will be tested on role-related knowledge.
Hear more about how Google hires – from their own recruitment team:
Learn more about Google’s structured hiring process here
What to study to get a job in Google
Apart from technical roles where you will need specific skills, Google jobs don’t really need specific educational qualifications. Some roles may not even need a college degree! Instead, you should aim at developing your personality in the best way possible.
So, focus on developing and showcasing your
- Analytical thinking
- Problem solving skills
- Ability to communicate clearly
- Leadership skills
- Action orientation
- Ability to work with others
- Power to influence others
- Curiosity and interest in learning
Remember, Google won’t care which college you are from – it is your skills and abilities that will matter to them. Work on those!
Start preparing now. Clearly, your grades and the college you go to will not help you get that job at Google. So if working at Google is your dream, start working on your non-academic self today.
Resources:
Explore the best way to develop and showcase your non-academic profile
Develop your analytical, problem-solving and communication skills
Take a masterclass in Public Speaking!
Want to speak with an expert to understand how you can develop your non academic profile and personality better? Get in touch today on guideme@univariety.com!
Neha Sharma
Neha is a marketer by profession, a writer by passion, and a traveller at heart. A former product manager who now loves all things digital and SEO, she enjoys learning new things and writing about them. She also has a hobby blog where she records her solo travel adventures. Talk to her about books, travel, and history!
-
Neha Sharmahttps://www.univariety.com/blog/author/neha/
