6 ms·

Most people that interview at Google don't have the OPs experience. It's just that those who do are more likely to get noticed. Your theory is wrong.

by harryh 12y ago

georgemcbay 12y ago
I've heard the gist of what OP experienced enough times (including from people I know personally in addition to the ones who blogged about it) that it can't be that rare, though I'll grant it still might not be the norm. My own unsubstantiated theory is that Google is okay with primarily hiring through acquisition and views direct hires as a secondary stream of potential employees, only greasing the byzantine wheels they've stuck on direct hires when someone inside with a significant amount of internal political capital makes a direct recommendation. In any case, I'd say the luster of Google jobs has worn off in the minds of a lot of people and it isn't really seen as much different than working for any other big tech company these days. There are some teams within the company (just like there are some teams within Microsoft) that people would love to work for, but the idea of just "working for Google" on its own is no longer particularly desirable, IMO.
- harryh 12y ago
  The vast majority of Google's hires are not through acquisition. Your unsubstantiated theory is wrong too.
pnathan 12y ago
My experience talking to Google wasn't tremendously positive; I did have to do a more-than-usual followup to move my candidacy forward. I don't know that I'd get too grumpy about it though; I had another experience with a major US tech firm at the same time which easily was 4x as long and required a great deal of pushyness to come to a resolution. Google came off as an "eh", but not "ugh clearly not a viable employer". Remarkably, Microsoft was one of the fastest turnarounds I've ever had (only beaten by my current employer). I didn't expect it and I'm still impressed.

Most people that interview at Google don't have the OPs experience. It's just that those who do are more likely to get noticed. Your theory is wrong.

by harryh 12y ago

Most people that interview at Google don't have the OPs experience. It's just that those who do are more likely to get noticed. Your theory is wrong.

georgemcbay 12y ago

I've heard the gist of what OP experienced enough times (including from people I know personally in addition to the ones who blogged about it) that it can't be that rare, though I'll grant it still might not be the norm. My own unsubstantiated theory is that Google is okay with primarily hiring through acquisition and views direct hires as a secondary stream of potential employees, only greasing the byzantine wheels they've stuck on direct hires when someone inside with a significant amount of internal political capital makes a direct recommendation. In any case, I'd say the luster of Google jobs has worn off in the minds of a lot of people and it isn't really seen as much different than working for any other big tech company these days. There are some teams within the company (just like there are some teams within Microsoft) that people would love to work for, but the idea of just "working for Google" on its own is no longer particularly desirable, IMO.

harryh 12y ago
The vast majority of Google's hires are not through acquisition. Your unsubstantiated theory is wrong too.

pnathan 12y ago

My experience talking to Google wasn't tremendously positive; I did have to do a more-than-usual followup to move my candidacy forward. I don't know that I'd get too grumpy about it though; I had another experience with a major US tech firm at the same time which easily was 4x as long and required a great deal of pushyness to come to a resolution. Google came off as an "eh", but not "ugh clearly not a viable employer". Remarkably, Microsoft was one of the fastest turnarounds I've ever had (only beaten by my current employer). I didn't expect it and I'm still impressed.