How to apply for a job at Google
Written by Massa Medi
Are you dreaming of joining one of the world’s most innovative companies? Curious about how to stand out in Google’s famously competitive hiring process? You’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’re taking you behind the scenes of Google’s hiring journey, directly from Okoos, a technical recruiter at Google, and Jules, a program manager on the intern team. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a starry-eyed intern hopeful, this walkthrough will help demystify the steps to becoming a Googler.
Step 1: Discover the Role That’s Right For You
With such a dazzling array of products, teams, and career possibilities at Google, the first (and arguably most important) step is finding the right match. Every team at Google—whether they’re working on Search, YouTube, Cloud, or the next big thing—is unique. To start, take a tour of careers.google.com. Spend some time exploring the many products, roles, and teams that Google is hiring for.
Once you have a sense of which areas excite you most, use Google’s Career Search tool. Here, you’ll share your background, skills, and preferred locations, and browse job openings that fit your interests. For an extra personalized experience, create a career profile—this allows Google to send you custom job recommendations and alerts when relevant opportunities arise.
Important tip: You can apply to a maximum of three roles every 30 days, so choose wisely! And make sure you meet all the listed minimum qualifications for each job. Google’s hiring team is clear: if you don’t meet the required criteria, it’s best to wait before applying.
Step 2: Prepare a Focused, Impactful Resume
Found a dream job? Time to fine-tune your resume or CV. Start with your existing resume for reference, but don’t just re-send the same file for every job. Instead, make a copy and tailor it to the specifics of the role you’re pursuing. Your resume should directly align your skills and experience with those highlighted in the job posting.
When describing your achievements, use clear, measurable outcomes. Google recommends following the formula: Accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z. For example: “Increased server response speed by 30% by optimizing back-end database queries.” Numbers and metrics help the team understand your impact and the scale of your contributions.
Aim to keep your resume short and punchy—one page if you can, two pages if you have more extensive experience. Most Google roles don’t require a cover letter. If one is necessary, it will be clearly stated on the job description.
Step 3: Application Submitted—What’s Next?
Once you hit “submit,” the next steps are in the hands of Google’s recruiting team. If your profile matches what they’re looking for, you’ll enter the formal hiring process. Don’t worry if you don’t hear back immediately—if eight weeks pass post-submission, it likely means Google moved ahead with other candidates for that role. But don’t lose hope! A recruiter may still reach out for future opportunities if they spot a good fit.
Step 4: The Assessments—A Deeper Dive Into Your Fit
Most Google roles involve a series of assessments to evaluate your skills, work style, and potential to thrive at Google. These can range from coding quizzes and hypothetical project samples to short calls with recruiters or hiring managers.
Breathe easy: Gone are the days of brain teasers (no “How many golf balls fit in an airplane?” here). Instead, expect questions that either probe your previous experiences or present new problems for you to tackle. All questions are designed to be clear and straightforward, and your responses are assessed against objective rubrics—this gives Google a standardized way to measure strengths and collaboration skills.
Google takes interviews seriously and genuinely enjoys the process—because, as the saying goes, “Google is what Googlers make it.” The process may be thorough, but it’s designed to be friendly and give you as much opportunity to get to know Google as they have to get to know you.
Step 5: Accessibility and Candidate Support
Need accommodations? Google is committed to an inclusive process for all candidates. Whether you require a sign language interpreter, specialized equipment, more breaks, or extra time, the recruiting team is prepared to help. Just inform your recruiter—no need to share personal details—and they’ll connect you with Google’s candidate accommodations specialists.
Step 6: Preparing for Interviews (Technical and Non-Technical)
For both technical and non-technical roles, preparation is key. Check out Google’s “How We Hire” playlist on YouTube (linked in the original video description) for insights and sample questions. Don’t hesitate to ask your recruiter for additional prep resources or support—they’re genuinely here to help you succeed.
Step 7: The Final Review and Offer
After interviews conclude, Google brings together input from your application and interviews for a comprehensive, multi-level review. Many Googlers—at various stages of seniority—are involved in this decision-making process. If you pass all the relevant checks and reviews, your recruiter will contact you with a formal offer.
What If You Don’t Land the Role?
Here’s an encouraging insight: most Googlers applied to multiple roles before successfully landing an interview. So if things don’t work out on your first try, don’t give up. Your candidate information is saved, making it even easier to apply for future roles. Persistence and resilience truly pay off.
Stay Connected and Keep Learning
Be sure to follow the Life at Google and Google Students channels on social media to discover more about Google’s people, products, culture, and workplaces. For open roles and personalized job recommendations, continue to visit Google Careers.
Best of luck with your application! Remember, every step is a chance to learn—and, perhaps, your journey to becoming a Googler is just beginning.