Create Your Resume for Google: Tips and Advice

Summary

In this video, Jeremy and Lizi, technical and business recruiters from Google, provide tips for creating a standout resume for job and internship applications at Google. They emphasize clear formatting, concise bullet points, and the use of action words. For technical candidates, listing programming languages and GitHub profiles is crucial. Tailoring resumes to specific job descriptions, focusing on impact, and using data to highlight achievements are key recommendations. They also advise on structuring the resume for students, experienced professionals, and including sections on education, experience, leadership, and extracurricular activities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Keep your resume format simple, consistent in design, font, sizing, and spacing to make it easy to scan.
• ✍️ PDF is the preferred format for submitting resumes, and black ink is a safe choice for readability.
• 📧 Always include contact information and email at the top of your resume.
• 💡 Objective statements are optional, and references are not required.
• 📄 Business and internship roles should have resumes that are one page, while engineering roles can be up to two pages.
• 🎯 Tailor your resume to the job description, use action words, and focus on the results and impact of your work.
• 📊 For technical roles, list programming languages at the top and link your GitHub profile or open source contributions.
• 🎓 If you're a student or recent graduate, education should be listed first with graduation dates in month-year format.
• 💼 List work experience in reverse chronological order, using bullet points and quantifying accomplishments with data.
• 🏆 Include leadership positions, awards, and optional sections about personal interests or extracurricular activities.

Q & A

What are the main resume formatting tips provided in the video?

The video recommends keeping the resume simple and consistent in design, with uniform font, sizing, and spacing. Black ink is a safe bet, but other readable colors are acceptable. It should be in PDF format with clearly delineated sections for easy scanning.

Is it necessary to include an objective statement or references in the resume?

No, it is not necessary to include an objective statement or references. However, if an objective statement is included, it should be relevant to the job you're applying for.

What is the recommended length of a resume for business or technical roles at Google?

For business and internship roles, the resume should be one page long. For engineering roles, it can extend to two pages.

What is the key focus for presenting experience on a resume?

The key focus is to highlight relevant experience for the specific role applied for, using bullet points with action words like 'created,' 'designed,' and 'managed.' It is important to include the results and impact of your work, with concise descriptions supported by data.

How should students or recent graduates structure the education section?

Students or recent graduates should list all post-secondary institutions attended, with the most recent first. The graduation or anticipated date should be in month-year format. Including the GPA is recommended for current students or recent graduates.

What should technical candidates emphasize on their resumes?

Technical candidates should list their programming languages at the top and be comfortable interviewing in them. They should also include open source contributions, GitHub profiles, or other prominent technical work.

How can applicants make their resumes stand out when applying for specific roles?

Applicants can tailor their resumes to the job description by using keywords from the description and focusing on relevant experience. Highlighting skills and accomplishments using bold or italics and providing data to back up impact statements can make the resume stand out.

What framework does Google recommend using to present accomplishments on a resume?

Google recommends the framework: Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]. This structure highlights results, metrics, and the specific actions taken.

What sections are recommended for including personal or leadership achievements?

Personal or leadership achievements can be included in sections like 'Leadership and Awards,' where any relevant leadership positions, awards, honors, or recognitions can be listed. Accomplishments should follow the X-Y-Z framework.

What should be included in the optional final section of the resume?

The optional final section can include extracurricular activities, relevant publications, student group involvement, community service, and leadership positions. This section allows candidates to showcase their personal interests and unique experiences.