A look inside Google’s culture

Summary

In this video, Google employees from various departments share their experiences working at Google. They discuss their roles, the importance of self-care, and the support they receive from the company. They highlight the benefits of Google's culture, including opportunities for growth, mental health resources, and work-life balance. The employees also provide advice for potential candidates, emphasizing the value of preparation, communication, and authenticity during interviews.

Takeaways

• 😀 Google employees across various roles share their experiences and positions, such as Technical Solutions Engineers, Program Managers, UX Managers, and Data Center Operations Managers.
• 🌿 Employees emphasize the importance of self-care, including taking breaks, meditation, and exercising to maintain well-being.
• 🏞️ Team bonding activities like virtual offsites, games, and receiving team swag help foster a sense of community and belonging.
• 👂 Feedback culture at Google plays a significant role in leadership development, promoting self-awareness and growth through peer feedback.
• 🎓 Google supports continued education with educational allowances, which employees value for their personal and professional growth.
• 🏡 Google promotes a healthy work-life balance by encouraging employees to take time off, including paid time off (PTO) and focusing on mental health.
• 🤝 Google provides platforms for employees to engage with community organizations and support causes they care about, such as working with homeless youth.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The company is supportive of employees with family responsibilities, offering resources and flexible time to manage both work and family life.
• 🎯 Employees provide interview tips like being communicative, preparing thoroughly, and utilizing resources like Google's YouTube channel for interview prep.
• 💪 Persistence is encouraged during the interview process, with advice to stay confident, share successes, and reapply if the first attempt doesn't succeed.

Q & A

What is Ziyang Gao's role at Google?

Ziyang Gao is a Technical Solutions Engineer based in Austin, Texas.

What is Shreya's position at Google Cloud?

Shreya is a Cloud Technical Resident at Google Cloud, also based out of Austin, Texas.

What benefits has Google provided to support Namrata's personal growth?

Google has provided a culture of feedback that has helped Namrata grow as a people manager, increasing her self-awareness and effectiveness as a leader.

How does Diana Bricknell describe her role at Google Enterprise Network?

Diana Bricknell is a Senior Program Manager in the Deployment Team at Google Enterprise Network, based out of Sunnyvale, California.

What is Xiomara Alejandro's experience with Google's educational allowance?

Xiomara Alejandro appreciates Google's educational allowance, which supports higher education and promotes continuous learning even for full-time employees.

What does Cara Toneys do at the Lenoir, North Carolina Data Center?

Cara Toneys is a Data Center Operations Facilities Manager with Google, located at the Lenoir, North Carolina Data Center.

How does Monica Greenhill manage stress during her work at the data center?

Monica Greenhill takes work from home days and has occasionally taken extended time off to recharge and reset, as well as doing workouts and meditation exercises.

What outdoor activities has Xiomara Alejandro been doing around Austin?

Xiomara Alejandro has been going hiking a lot around Austin and enjoys the nature and outdoorsy sports available.

How does Google support its employees' mental health?

Google provides mental health resources, which have helped an employee deal with imposter syndrome by learning about it, finding the words to describe their experiences, and building the courage to start therapy.

What community involvement has an employee been able to establish through Google?

An employee has been able to establish a partnership with a local community organization working with homeless youth, facilitated by the platform Google provides.

What advice does the script offer for someone preparing for a Google interview?

The script suggests watching Google's interview preparation videos on their YouTube channel 'Life at Google', being thorough and concise in responses, and not being afraid to offer hypothetical solutions when stuck.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introductions and Personal Growth

The first paragraph introduces various Google employees from different locations and roles, including a Technical Solutions Engineer, Cloud Technical Residents, Senior Program Manager, UX Manager, and Data Center Facilities Managers. They discuss their personal experiences and methods of self-care during the pandemic, such as working out, meditation, taking time off, and engaging in outdoor activities. They also mention team-building activities like virtual games and the importance of feedback in their personal and professional growth. The paragraph highlights the supportive culture at Google and the employees' appreciation for the company's focus on well-being and development.

05:01

🌳 Google's Culture and Benefits

The second paragraph delves into the benefits and perks that Google offers its employees, emphasizing the importance of mental health resources and the support provided for personal and professional development. Employees share their appreciation for Google's outdoor-indoor facilities, the educational allowance, and the aesthetically pleasing office environments. They also discuss the company's support for remote work, the encouragement to take breaks and time off, and the initiatives to reduce meeting loads to increase productivity. Additionally, the paragraph highlights Google's support for employees with families and the advice given by employees for those preparing for interviews at Google.

Keywords

💡Self-care

Self-care refers to practices individuals engage in to maintain their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. In the video, employees mention various self-care activities, such as working out, meditating, and taking time off, to help recharge and stay balanced. For example, Monica Greenhill discusses how she took time off to reset and do spring cleaning, which contributed to her self-care routine.

💡Work-life balance

Work-life balance refers to the ability to manage one's professional responsibilities while maintaining a healthy personal life. Several employees in the video highlight how Google supports them in achieving this balance. For example, Namrata mentions how Google provides flexibility for personal responsibilities, while others share how they are encouraged to take breaks and time off to ensure they aren't overworked.

💡Feedback culture

Feedback culture is the practice of giving and receiving constructive feedback to foster personal and professional growth. The video emphasizes how Google's feedback culture plays a vital role in employees' development. Namrata, for instance, talks about how receiving feedback from her team has helped her become a more effective leader, enhancing her self-awareness and leadership skills.

💡Imposter syndrome

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a 'fraud.' One speaker in the video discusses how Google’s employee resource groups and mental health resources helped them understand and address imposter syndrome, leading them to seek therapy, which improved both their personal and professional life.

💡Team engagement

Team engagement refers to activities and practices that strengthen team cohesion and interaction. In the video, Ziyang Gao and other speakers share how their teams engage through virtual offsites, where they play games, make cocktails, and build LEGOs together. These activities foster a sense of belonging and help maintain connections among remote teams.

💡Mental health resources

Mental health resources include support systems such as therapy, counseling, and wellness programs aimed at promoting mental well-being. One speaker in the video appreciates Google’s focus on mental health, particularly how the company offers resources that helped them overcome imposter syndrome and encouraged self-care, ultimately improving their work performance.

💡Leadership development

Leadership development refers to the processes and practices that enhance an individual's ability to lead others effectively. Several speakers, including Namrata and Diana Bricknell, reflect on their growth as leaders at Google. They mention how the company fosters leadership skills not only through mentorship but also by promoting a culture of feedback and empowering employees to lead teams.

💡Remote work

Remote work is the practice of working from a location outside the traditional office environment, often from home. The video highlights how many Google employees adapted to working remotely during the pandemic. For instance, Monica Greenhill talks about taking occasional work-from-home days to manage noise and other factors, ensuring a productive and balanced workflow.

💡Employee perks

Employee perks refer to additional benefits and amenities provided to employees to enhance job satisfaction and well-being. The video mentions several perks offered by Google, such as mental health resources, beautiful office spaces, and even educational allowances. Employees appreciate these perks, which contribute to their overall happiness and productivity at work.

💡Interview preparation

Interview preparation involves researching, practicing, and refining skills to perform well in job interviews. The video provides several tips for succeeding in Google interviews, such as being communicative, showing your thought process, and using available resources like Google's interview tips on YouTube. Speakers emphasize the importance of preparation and persistence in landing a job at Google.

Highlights

Ziyang Gao introduces himself as a Technical Solutions Engineer based in Austin, Texas.

Shreya shares her role as a Cloud Technical Resident at Google Cloud.

Namrata talks about joining Google as a Cloud Technical Resident.

Diana Bricknell discusses her role as a Senior Program Manager at Google Enterprise Network.

Xiomara Alejandro describes her work as a UX Manager on Nest Displays.

Cara Toneys introduces her role as a Data Center Operations Facilities Manager.

Monica Greenhill talks about being a Data Center Facilities Manager in Northern Virginia.

Employees discuss their self-care routines, including workouts and meditation.

The importance of taking time off and work-from-home days during the pandemic is highlighted.

Hiking and team offsites are mentioned as ways to connect and unwind.

Leadership development at Google is discussed, focusing on nurturing talent and leadership skills.

The value of listening and observing team members is emphasized for role ramp-up.

Feedback culture at Google is praised for its contribution to personal growth.

Receiving a Noogler hat is shared as a memorable moment.

Google's educational allowance is appreciated for supporting higher education.

The aesthetically pleasing office environment is noted for its calming effects.

Mental health resources at Google are highlighted for helping with imposter syndrome.

Establishing a partnership with a local community organization is discussed as a personal achievement.

Google's support for remote work and taking breaks is mentioned.

The CEO's announcement of additional days off for taking time off is noted.

Google's encouragement of decreasing meeting loads to focus on core work is highlighted.

Support for employees with family responsibilities and health appointments is discussed.

Advice for interviewing at Google includes being communicative, thorough, and not afraid to ask for help.

Google's YouTube channel, Life at Google, is recommended for interview preparation.

Preparation and leveraging skills for the position are emphasized for a successful interview.

Being oneself and trying again if not successful the first time is suggested as interview advice.

Transcripts

(cheerful music)

- Hello, everyone.

My name is Ziyang Gao.

I'm a Technical Solutions Engineer based in Austin, Texas.

- Hi, my name is Shreya.

I'm a Cloud Technical Resident at Google Cloud

based out of Austin, Texas.

- My name is Namrata.

I joined Google as a Cloud Technical Resident.

- Hi, my name is Diana Bricknell,

and I am a Senior Program Manager

at Google Enterprise Network in the Deployment Team,

and I am based out of Sunnyvale, California.

- Hi, I'm Xiomara Alejandro.

I'm a UX Manager on Nest Displays

and I'm out of Austin, Texas.

- Hi, my name is Cara Toneys,

and I'm a Data Center Operations

Facilities Manager with Google,

and I am located at the Lenoir, North Carolina, Data Center.

- Hi, my name is Monica Greenhill,

and I'm a Data Center Facilities Manager

based out of the Northern Virginia area.

- As far as taking care of myself,

I have been working out.

I do take breaks to do some workouts.

I have been doing some meditation exercises as well,

and that goes a long way.

- I have occasionally taken a work from home day,

because we've been working at the data center sites

throughout the pandemic.

Just to eliminate the noise,

I've taken time off earlier this year,

where I actually took two weeks off,

when I normally take one week off for vacation.

And that allowed me to recharge and reset

and accomplish some spring cleaning as well,

which makes me feel pretty good.

And as managers, we also try to ensure

that our team is able to take that same time as well.

- I've been going hiking a lot around Austin.

There's a lot of nature and outdoorsy sports.

And also, my team has hosted various team offsites,

where we get together virtually and,

play games, make cocktails, and build LEGOs together.

And there's so many swags being sent to us

that reminded us that we are a team,

and there's your team members caring about you,

and there's various ways to engage with each other.

And this is really nice.

- I think what has improved

since I've been a leader at Google

is that my challenge is not, like, helping people,

necessarily, with their craft, although that's part of it,

but there's so many talented people,

the craftsmanship is there.

It's about making them leaders as well.

- I've learned to listen, to observe from my team,

and really seek their assistance, sometimes shamelessly,

as I ramped up in my role.

- So, I believe I've grown as a people manager

working at Google through the culture of feedback.

It is core to our performance process,

and being a manager, this was the first time

that I've actually received feedback from my team.

And that is something that is such a gift,

because it has provided some really,

really powerful growth opportunities for myself,

increasing self-awareness,

helping me become a more powerful and effective leader.

And knowing that my growth is tied to not just my manager,

but the people that work for me

and also the people around me,

that culture itself, I can attribute to

some of my most prominent areas of growth as a leader.

- It would be receiving my Noogler hat in the mail.

Growing up, I always wanted a Noogler hat,

and I watched "The Internship",

which made me want the Noogler hat even more.

I absolutely love it.

It always sits by my table.

I can show it to you, here it is.

- I also wanted to say that I really like

the educational allowance that Google offers.

To me, it's great to see that Google

supports higher education and promotes continuing to learn,

even while you're a full-time employee.

- What I appreciate the most about Google, as well,

I do appreciate the food

and all the perks that come along with it.

I appreciate going to an office

that is aesthetically beautiful,

that helps me calm my nerves,

that helps me relax and to think, and to solve problems.

So, I believe that Google has really done a wonderful job

of embracing the outdoors with the indoors

and having very inviting and welcoming facilities

for us to enjoy.

- My favorite benefit or perk at Google

are the mental health resources,

and for as long as I can remember,

I've struggled with imposter syndrome,

and coming to Google, or before coming to Google,

I, number one, didn't know what imposter syndrome was,

and being surrounded by the employee resource groups

and the leadership teams that we have here,

number one, I learned about it.

I learned what I was feeling.

I learned the words to describe my experiences,

and number two, it allowed me to build the courage

to take the steps to start therapy.

That really helped me personally and professionally

to continue to love and appreciate myself,

and also to help me show up better

for the people that I work with.

- I've actually been able to be a part of establishing

a partnership with a local community organization

who works with homeless youth,

and I'm really passionate about that organization,

and working for Google has given me the platform

to help facilitate that partnership.

- My manager and other people at Google

have been so supportive.

They recognize the fact that we're working remotely,

so, usually, in our one-on-ones,

they let us know that we need to take frequent breaks,

and we're encouraged to actually take our paid time off.

And Google also has a bunch of benefits.

So, last quarter, the CEO, Sundar Pichai,

actually announced that if we were to take four days off,

we'd get an additional day off.

So, they have a bunch of benefits

that actually encourage us to switch off from work

and live life and have fun.

- And one way that Google has supported me,

for me, at least,

has been encouraging decreasing meeting loads,

so having less meetings every week that are not critical,

to allow employees to have more time

to focus on their core work.

And that's really helped me stay productive.

- Google has been wonderful in terms of, as a mom,

with two kids and a husband and a home to run,

as well as a professional woman,

I found that Google has really embraced me

for all my responsibilities at work,

and also helped me with their resources

to seek assistance as I need for my family,

and talking about it openly with my manager

and giving me the time off I need

to take care of health appointments and others.

It's been really remarkable to see

how Google is really investing in me

as an individual, as a total person,

who brings with her, her entire life to work.

- Always talk to your HR,

ask for materials you might need to study

before the interview,

and the second advice is

be very communicative and talkative during the interview.

Instead of jumping directly to the answer,

follow your logic, show your interviewer,

how did you arrive at the correct answer is more important.

And I think, last but not least,

when you are stuck at a problem, never feel embarrassed.

Raise up your voice and offer hypothetical solutions

you think might be the next step

and exchange ideas with your interviewer

throughout this process to solve this problem.

- Google posts a lot of videos with interviewing tips

and insights into what interviewers look for

in various types of interviews.

You can find these on their YouTube channel

called Life at Google.

While prepping for my interviews,

I basically just watched all of these that were relevant

to the kinds of interviews I was doing,

and I made sure to incorporate all of their advice.

- My interviewing advice is preparation.

It's absolutely key to the Google interview.

Take time to research and leverage your skills

on how they apply

to the actual position you're applying for,

and come with examples of your successes

and be proud of them.

- My interview advice would be to be yourself,

be very thorough, but concise,

and if you didn't get the job once, try again.