Google Interview (1 of 3): 10 Things (core values and mission)

Summary

The script emphasizes the importance of understanding a company's mission and values, specifically Google's, before applying for a job. It highlights Google's mission to organize and make the world’s information accessible, focusing on user-centered innovation. The speaker discusses Google's core principles, including customer obsession, technical expertise, communication, vision, and a higher sense of purpose. Candidates are encouraged to showcase their strengths, be opinionated, and align with Google's values like passion, creativity, and diversity. The advice also touches on preparing for Google's interviews, particularly the behavioral aspects.

Takeaways

• 📌 Understanding a company's mission and values is crucial before applying, as it helps determine cultural fit and informs preparation for interviews and negotiations.
• 📚 Google's mission has remained consistent since 1998: to organize the world’s information and make it more accessible, evident through products like Search, YouTube, Chrome, and Google Cloud.
• 👥 Google’s primary principle is to put the user at the center of everything, highlighting the importance of customer obsession, especially given their ad-based monetization strategy.
• 🛠 Google emphasizes being excellent at one thing, such as search, and doing it extremely well. Applicants should highlight their specific strengths, especially if they have a niche expertise like AI.
• ⚡ Google's focus on speed suggests that applicants should be prepared to dive deep into algorithms and optimizations, showcasing the importance of technical expertise.
• 🗣 Google values strong communication and having an opinion, encouraging candidates to be proactive, take the lead, and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills.
• 👀 Vision is highly valued at Google, demonstrated by their early prediction of the mobile-first world. Candidates should show that they have foresight and a strategic mindset.
• 🌱 Google's commitment to doing good and their AI principles suggest that a sense of higher purpose and ethical consideration are important motivators for prospective employees.
• 🌍 As an international company with diverse teams, Google values employees who bring creativity, passion, and diverse backgrounds, reflecting this in their work culture and global presence.
• 🎯 Google looks for employees who align with its core values, showing passion, creativity, and a sense of purpose, which is especially relevant for the behavioral aspects of their interviews.

Q & A

Why is it important to study a company's principles and mission before applying?

Studying a company's principles and mission is important because it helps determine if you are a good fit for the company's culture and provides insight on how to tailor your application and prepare for interviews effectively.

What has been Google's mission since 1998?

Google's mission since 1998 has been to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.

How do Google's major products like Search and YouTube align with its mission?

Google's major products like Search and YouTube align with its mission by organizing vast amounts of information and making it easily accessible to users around the world.

What is the first and most important principle of Google according to the script?

The first and most important principle of Google is to put the user at the center of everything they do, emphasizing customer obsession.

How should an applicant highlight their strengths when applying to Google?

An applicant should over-communicate their strengths, particularly in their areas of expertise, ensuring that these strengths are prominently displayed on their resume and throughout the application process.

What quality is highly valued by Google in terms of technical skills?

Google highly values the ability to optimize algorithms and develop them efficiently, reflecting their principle that 'fast is better than slow.'

Why is having an opinion and good communication skills important for a Google applicant?

Having an opinion and good communication skills are important because Google values opinionated individuals and strong communicators, as evidenced by their internal communication systems and HR practices.

What quality did Google demonstrate by predicting the mobile-first world early on?

Google demonstrated the quality of having vision, which is the ability to foresee and capitalize on future trends, such as the shift to mobile-first technologies.

What higher purpose should motivate potential Google employees according to the script?

Potential Google employees should be motivated by a sense of doing good and contributing to a higher purpose, which aligns with Google's principles and mission.

What kind of employee does Google look for, as described in the script?

Google looks for passionate employees from diverse backgrounds who have creative approaches to work, play, and life, and who reflect the company's values and mission in their professional conduct.