Why Google

Summary

In this video, Jeff H. Sipe from practiceinterviews.com discusses strategies for answering the 'why Google' question in job interviews. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the question's connection, maintaining a balance in responses, and practicing the answer. Sipe suggests researching Google's story, aligning personal purpose with the company's, and relating the job description to one's skills. He also recommends structuring the answer concisely, practicing with others, and timing the response to fit within a minute. His sample answer showcases how to effectively combine user experience, cultural fit, and skill alignment with Google's products, particularly GCP, to demonstrate genuine interest and excitement for the role.

Takeaways

• 🧐 Research Google's background, original purpose, and find articles, videos, or quotes that resonate with you to connect with the 'why Google' question.
• 🎯 Focus on purpose over passion, as statistics show more success when the answer is tied to long-term purpose rather than just current interest.
• 🔍 Match your skills with the job description to show alignment with Google's needs and how your strengths can contribute to the role.
• 📚 Google values product knowledge, so understanding and expressing enthusiasm for their products can be a key part of your answer.
• ⏱️ Keep your answer concise, ideally around one minute, using the rule of three to focus on three main points.
• 📈 Structure your answer with a setup, three main points, and a strong finish to convey confidence and connection to the topic.
• 🎥 Practice your answer with others and film yourself to check for excitement, connection, and to avoid sounding scripted.
• 👨‍🏫 Use the Google stopwatch to time your answer and ensure it stays within the recommended one-minute range.
• 📝 Reflect on the sample answer provided to understand the balance between specificity, enthusiasm, and relevance to Google's culture and products.
• 📈 The 'why Google' question is commonly asked in interviews, so preparation is crucial to stand out and demonstrate your fit with the company.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video transcript provided?

The main focus of the video transcript is to guide job candidates on how to effectively answer the question 'Why Google?' during an interview process, emphasizing the importance of understanding the company's purpose, culture, and product offerings.

What does Jeff H. Sipe suggest as the first step in preparing an answer for 'Why Google?'

Jeff H. Sipe suggests that the first step is to conduct thorough research on Google, including understanding its story, journey, background, and original purpose, as well as finding articles, videos, or quotes that resonate with the candidate.

Why is it important to connect the answer to one's purpose according to the transcript?

Connecting the answer to one's purpose is important because statistics show that candidates have more success when their motivations are tied to their long-term purpose rather than just their passion. This connection helps in conveying genuine excitement and alignment with the company's goals.

How does Jeff H. Sipe recommend using the job description in preparing an answer for 'Why Google?'

Jeff H. Sipe recommends using the job description to identify skill alignment with the role and Google's products. This helps in tailoring the answer to show how the candidate's strengths match the company's needs and product focus.

What is the 'Rule of Three' that Jeff H. Sipe mentions in the context of answering 'Why Google?'

The 'Rule of Three' suggests focusing on three specific items in the answer, with each item ideally taking about 15 seconds to discuss. This helps in keeping the answer concise, structured, and impactful.

What are some tips Jeff H. Sipe gives for structuring the answer to 'Why Google?'

Jeff H. Sipe advises to keep the answer under one minute, avoid excessive self-praise or company flattery, start with a setup, and end with a strong finish. The answer should be delivered in a warm and kind manner.

How does Jeff H. Sipe emphasize the importance of practicing the answer?

Jeff H. Sipe emphasizes the importance of practicing the answer with others to receive feedback on excitement and connection. He also suggests filming oneself to observe body language and ensure the answer does not sound scripted.

What is the significance of the Google Stopwatch mentioned by Jeff H. Sipe?

The Google Stopwatch is used to time the answer and ensure it stays within the recommended one-minute mark. This helps in practicing brevity and making every second of the answer count.

Can you provide an example of a sample answer to 'Why Google?' as per Jeff H. Sipe's guidance?

An example answer provided by Jeff H. Sipe includes mentioning personal use and appreciation of Google products, aligning with Google's culture of positivity and inclusivity, and how the candidate's experience could contribute to Google's product areas like GCP, with a focus on products like Anthos and AutoML.

What is the final advice Jeff H. Sipe gives regarding the 'Why Google?' question?

Jeff H. Sipe's final advice is to be prepared for the 'Why Google?' question, as it is commonly asked by Google interviewers. He suggests following the steps outlined in the transcript to craft a thoughtful and compelling answer.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Interview Preparation and Importance of Understanding 'Why Google'

Jeff H. Sipe from practiceinterviews.com introduces the video by emphasizing the importance of understanding and answering the 'Why Google?' question for interview candidates. He discusses the common pitfalls candidates face, such as lack of connection to the question and overdoing their praise for Google or themselves. Sipe suggests that candidates should practice their answer, think deeply about it, and maintain a balance in their response. He also advises on the importance of researching Google's background, connecting with the company's original purpose, and incorporating personal excitement or articles that resonate with them into their answers.

05:01

🔍 Structuring the 'Why Google?' Answer with Key Components

The second paragraph delves into the structure of the 'Why Google?' answer. Sipe outlines a method to effectively convey one's reasoning, which includes focusing on three specific items, each explained within 15 seconds, and avoiding excessive praise. He also stresses the importance of setting up the answer well and finishing strongly to exude confidence. The paragraph also touches on the significance of practicing the answer with others, filming oneself to review body language, and ensuring the answer aligns with one's purpose and excitement for the role. Sipe introduces the 'Google stopwatch' as a tool to time the response and keep it concise.

10:02

👍 Sample Answer and Tips for a Successful 'Why Google?' Response

In the final paragraph, Sipe provides a sample answer to the 'Why Google?' question from the perspective of a technical recruiter. He breaks down his answer into three main points: personal use and experience with Google products, appreciation for Google's culture and opportunities for learning and growth, and how his professional experience aligns with Google Cloud Platform's product offerings. Sipe also discusses the importance of refining and pacing the answer to ensure it is impactful and within the recommended time frame. He concludes by reminding viewers of the prevalence of the 'Why Google?' question in interviews and encourages them to follow the steps outlined in the video to prepare a compelling response.

Keywords

💡Interview coaching

Interview coaching refers to the process of preparing individuals for job interviews through guidance and practice. In the context of the video, it is one of the services offered by practiceinterviews.com, which aims to help candidates perform better during the interview process. The script mentions this service as part of the introduction to the video's main focus on answering the 'why Google' question effectively.

💡Negotiation coaching

Negotiation coaching is a specialized form of coaching that helps individuals develop the skills necessary to negotiate effectively, often in a professional setting such as salary negotiations. The video script includes this as another service provided by the website, indicating that it is important for job seekers to not only perform well in interviews but also to negotiate their offers skillfully.

💡Self-automation tools

Self-automation tools are resources or technologies that individuals can use to streamline and automate certain tasks, potentially making the job search process more efficient. The script briefly mentions these tools as part of the offerings from practiceinterviews.com, suggesting that they can assist job seekers in managing their job search more effectively.

💡Why Google

The 'why Google' question is a common interview question that candidates may face when applying for positions at Google. It is meant to gauge the candidate's motivation and alignment with the company's values and goals. The video's main theme revolves around how to answer this question effectively, emphasizing the importance of understanding and connecting with Google's mission and culture.

💡Body language

Body language refers to the non-verbal cues that individuals use to communicate, such as facial expressions, posture, and gestures. In the video script, it is mentioned as an indicator of whether a candidate is genuinely connected to the 'why' of choosing Google. Effective body language can convey confidence and enthusiasm, which are important in interviews.

💡Research

Research is the process of gathering information and understanding the background of a subject. In the context of the video, it is the first step suggested for crafting a compelling 'why Google' answer. It involves learning about Google's story, journey, and original purpose, which can help candidates connect more deeply with the company.

💡Purpose

Purpose in the video script refers to the long-term goals and motivations that guide an individual's actions and decisions. It is distinguished from passion, with the video suggesting that aligning one's purpose with the company and role can lead to greater success. The script encourages candidates to think about how their personal purpose aligns with Google's mission.

💡Skill alignment

Skill alignment is the concept of matching an individual's skills and abilities with the requirements of a job role. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding how a candidate's skills relate to the specific job they are interviewing for at Google, as this can strengthen their 'why Google' answer.

💡Job description

A job description is a document that outlines the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a job. In the video, it is highlighted as a critical component in preparing for the 'why Google' question. Candidates are advised to review the job description to identify how their skills and the role's requirements align, which can help in crafting a tailored and compelling answer.

💡Structure

Structure in the context of the video refers to the organization and presentation of the 'why Google' answer. The script suggests a specific structure that includes a setup, three main points (rule of three), and a strong finish. This structure is meant to help candidates deliver a concise, clear, and impactful answer that stays within the recommended time limit of around one minute.

💡Practice

Practice is the act of rehearsing or preparing for a specific task or event, in this case, the interview. The video script stresses the importance of practicing the 'why Google' answer with others to receive feedback on enthusiasm and connection. It also suggests recording oneself to analyze body language and ensure the answer does not come across as scripted.

💡Google products

Google products refer to the various services and tools offered by Google, such as Google Search, YouTube, Google Drive, and Google Maps. The video script mentions these products as a point of connection for candidates when answering the 'why Google' question. Candidates are encouraged to mention specific Google products they are familiar with and appreciate to demonstrate their interest in the company.

Highlights

Jeff H. Sipe from practiceinterviews.com offers interview and negotiation coaching.

The importance of understanding the 'why' question in interviews, specifically for Google.

Candidates often fail to connect with the 'why' question, affecting their body language and tone.

Advice against overdoing self-praise and maintaining balance in interview responses.

The significance of researching Google's story, journey, and original purpose.

Incorporating articles, videos, or quotes that resonate with the candidate into their answer.

Statistics show more success in interviews when the response is connected to purpose rather than passion.

The concept that purpose defines true success, not just passion or motivation.

The importance of aligning the job description with the candidate's skills and Google's products.

Google's preference for candidates who are knowledgeable and passionate about their products.

A structured approach to answering the 'why Google' question, emphasizing conciseness and the rule of three.

The need to avoid excessive self-praise and maintain a balanced tone in the response.

The recommendation to start with a setup and end with a strong finish to exude confidence.

The necessity of practicing the answer with others and receiving feedback on excitement and connection.

Using a video recording to analyze body language and ensure the answer doesn't sound scripted.

The Google stopwatch technique to ensure the answer stays within the one-minute mark.

A sample answer provided by Jeff, detailing his personal connection to Google's products and culture.

The emphasis on the importance of the 'why Google' question in interviews and the steps to prepare for it.

The advice to refine and edit the answer multiple times to improve specificity and pacing.

Transcripts

hi my name is jeff h sipe from

practiceinterviews.com

where we offer interview coaching

negotiation coaching

and some self-automation tools to help

you crush your interviews

crush the job search process today we're

going to answer the question of why

google

and i've actually tackled the why

question before

it's important at any company but today

i wanted to put a little bit more

emphasis

onto why google and this is actually a

question that i would ask

of candidates in the interviews that i

conducted and

for the most part the bad answers far

outweighed the good ones so before we

even dive in i just want to set the tone

for our conversation today for this

video today and just

highlight a couple of items that most

candidates

get wrong first is they don't really

understand the connection to the

question and not being connected to the

question

shows up in your body language your

pitch your tone so

if you're not really connected to the

why it's not going to work

so you have to practice this you have to

really really think about this answer

and then secondly don't overdo it you

know i think this is one of my

criticisms of the other advices they

really talk about

oh google's so fantastic and it's so

great are my skills

i'm so awesome i'm so great let's pull

it back a little bit

let's find a little bit more balance

those two tips right off the bat will

help you have more success with these

types of questions

if you like my content please like if

you have any comments please comment

below

and if you like our overall content

please subscribe item one

research yeah this is super super basic

right there's a

couple of nuanced items i want you to

think about

understand a little bit more about the

story the journey the background

connect to their original purpose and

we'll talk more about that in a moment

one other item that i like that you'll

see feedback on is

maybe you find an article or a video

or a quote that you're really tied to

really connected with bring that into

your answer because

it will come out it will really really

shine

in your answer so if it doesn't mean

you're already excited it will get you a

little bit more excited but this

research step is going to start

the passion and purpose and i want to

focus a little bit more on purpose so

that's our item

two statistics actually show that

we have more success when it's connected

to our purpose

not our actual passion and you'll hear a

lot about passion but let's think about

the purpose and so we're going to go a

little deeper for a second but i want

you to think about your purpose not

just for the now but for the long term

because if this

company in google and the role that

you're interviewing for

really connects with your long-term

purpose it's just going to

sound that way and come across this way

and i know this is diving pretty deep

and i want you to continue to think

about concepts like

passion and values motivations alignment

they're all important but purpose

defines our true success

and the last piece is i

love learnings growth that's a big

that's a big area where i really think

purpose can be defined and so just

understanding this item will be an

absolute game changer

okay item three the job description

if you've watched any of my videos you

know i love the job description and this

is really separate from the research

part why

well it's still a form of research but

this really becomes about

skill alignment and so if we can really

match those three items

research purpose and skill alignment now

we're talking and we're really thinking

about how our strengths

correlate not only with the role but

connecting to that why google

and the last really critical piece

that's very google specific

is they love their products and so

if the job description and the role

you're interviewing for

is correlated to a specific product

try and bring that in it's a critical

component

you know one of the most common

questions they ask is what do you know

about our products what do you love

about our products what's your favorite

product so

just bring that into the conversation

item for structure okay

everybody knows i'm a big fan of

structure so let's go through the top

four

items first one minute or less

we just cannot shouldn't haunt will not

go

over one minute keep it right around

that one minute mark

we've got to stay concise succinct in

this answer

second and i've seen this in a lot of

other areas as well

rule of three we're just going to focus

on three

specific items now what i'm hoping for

is that

each of those items is about 15 seconds

and then we can have a set up in the

beginning and the end

third getting back to what i mentioned

in the opening

the structure cannot have this

praising of google praising of yourself

it needs to be

removed and then fourth i like a little

bit of a setup and a strong

finish it exudes confidence you're

hoping that that doesn't really

pull you over a minute so you need to

ask yourself if it makes sense for your

answer or not

but something i want you to think about

and lastly

within this structure you are going to

deliver it in a

warm and kind manner that will really

help as well

item five practice okay

we've researched it we've defined our

purpose

and we've looked at the job description

to really see skill alignment

now you gotta practice you gotta

practice with other people now in this

answer you don't have to practice

with a professional to get this right

but you have to

allow others to hear what you have to

say

and ask them the question did i seem

excited did i seem really connected to

it did i perk up

also film yourself watch your body

language

it's something that i look for with my

clients

is when they start to smile and i ask a

question of why google or why amazon or

why facebook

when they really perk up wow i feel

amazingly connected

and so while we're really practicing it

and thinking about our answer we don't

want to sound

scripted either if you feel like you're

flat

go back to number two number two is

going to be your purpose

and normally it will fall flat if you

don't feel like you have a strong

purpose or connection to the role

and or the company and then lastly

let's implement the google stopwatch

this will give you a good foundational

understanding

of how long your answer is and so we

really gotta get it down to about a

minute if it's a minute and five

okay minute and ten okay but

really we're looking for something in

that minute range

really try your best not to go over too

much

item six our sample answer so

how do i feel about this sample answer

well i went back and edited it

numerous times and i still think it

could use some fine tuning maybe it's

lacking a little bit of specificity it's

not quite perfect and this

is just a good moment to say hey

like we really need to work and continue

to edit and refine and i did that a few

times

and lastly is just pacing

just get the pace right we're not trying

to go through it really fast really fast

really fast really fast to get all our

ideas out

we want to pause in the important

moments and if we're pausing on all

those three critical items

it's going to help us have success so if

i were going to answer this question

as a technical recruiter interviewing

for a role at google this is how i would

go about it

sue i actually thought a lot about why

google

before the interview and first and

foremost

i look at it from a user perspective i

was an early adopter

using google search in the late 90s and

to this day

i use google products every day from

search

to youtube to google drive to maps

secondly culture there's a few specific

items that i really like about google's

culture

it's positivity inclusivity

and i've read a lot about the

opportunity to both

learn and grow in any position at the

organization

lastly i feel like my 10 years of

recruiting experience

including the five years i've spent at

aws in the cloud space

is going to be a nice mix with gcp

an obvious product area that's up and

coming with cool

items like anthos automl

etc and i think that my passion and

excitement for those gcp

products will translate really well for

the candidates i'm trying to recruit

i'd be happy to expand on any of these

items

all of them get me excited about the

opportunity to join google

so i'll have to go back and see if that

was about a minute but it should be

around

a minute okay let's roll into our sum up

i mean of all the commonly asked

questions

you're gonna get data and information

out there that google asks all these

commonly asked questions

they don't but this one they do

they absolutely ask this question so

be prepared for it be ready for it

follow these steps and these steps can

be thematic when you're interviewing at

other companies as well but these are a

few specific

items that will help for why google good

luck