Posted on 11/20/2010 1:23:01 PM PST by WebFocus
Google came to Syracuse’s campus to recruit new graduates when I was a senior. I attended the information session and learned which jobs I could qualify for. I created a fancy cover letter and resume, crossed my fingers and e-mailed them my documents. One week later I had an email in my inbox from Google.
Google wanted to interview me! Forbes’ #1 company to work for was interested in speaking with me about an Associate Product Marketing Manager position in Mountain View, California. I called everyone I could think of, ecstatic and day-dreaming that my job hunt might end quickly and painlessly with me surfing during lunch breaks at the Googleplex.
Everyone says your GPA doesn’t matter when you’re finding a job—those people obviously never applied to Google. My 3.6 suddenly seemed inferior. Google also wanted to know if I had received any job offers. They wanted to know who was recruiting me and how far along I was in my job search. Talk about salt on an open wound to a college senior. Sad and dejected, I ticked off the “No” [no one wants me] and “Yes” [I’m still unemployed] boxes. I should have realized then that this was shaping up to be a grueling interview process, but I was too excited to pay much notice.
To prepare for my two back-to-back conference calls, I googled Google and learned their history, products, current news, founders, locations, business models, competitors, AdWords, investors and mottos. My heart had never been in anything more and I was prepared for any curve ball they could throw. I practiced interviewing with friends and felt confident when my cell rang at 4:00pm sharp.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
She did well until they asked her the following:
* An advertiser makes $0.10 every time someone clicks on their ad. Only 20% of people who visit the site click on their ad. How many people need to visit the site for the advertiser to make $20?
and this;
* Estimate the number of students who are college seniors, attend four-year schools, and graduate with a job in the United States every year
Her final sentences reveals what she plans to do next:
“That’s all. Good luck with your job search.” The phone clicked-- I was stunned. The abrupt sign-off was a clear indication that I wouldn’t be considered for round 2. Interviewing can be demoralizing, and that’s just how I felt as I sat with my cell in my hand, vowing to switch to Yahoo for life.
The interview is very revealing regarding the kind of people Google wants to hire... It will be worth your while to read it ( especially new college grads ).
Gosh. Maybe she should have asked them how an organization whose motto is “don’t be evil” could sell their souls to the Chi-coms.
That article succinctly articulates why this country is in full decline.
A graduate from a tier one University with a 3.6 GPA can’t demonstrate basic math and analytical skills
Reminds me of one of my first interviews..which was not exactly an interview with Procter and Gamble.
It was a group test for new grads and the emphasis on the 2 hour test was math. They even pulled out a “folded swan” (origami)in the middle of the room and asked the possible angles. Some of the interviewees just walked out because they found the screening process unbearable. I was already heading to the elevator just tired until they called my name (3 of us who passes of the entire 21) to come back for the 2nd interview.
Not a fan of Google, but I have to agree with some of the comments on the site. She did her research, knew those types of questions were coming, and she “froze” when they came. Lots of young people screw up their first interviews. Learn from the experience and move on.
Not a fan of Google, but I have to agree with some of the comments on the site. She did her research, knew those types of questions were coming, and she “froze” when they came. Lots of young people screw up their first interviews. Learn from the experience and move on.
It is pretty bad that a college graduate can’t answer a simple math question wherein the answer is a nice even 1000. Granted, she was nervous and frazzled, but she also claims she had 5 minutes to figure it out.
It seems like Google’s interview process needs some looking-at. If somebody is going for a basic administrative position and they start asking them questions about robotics, don’t you think that’s a little out of hand? It’s the difference between someone graduating from NYU and MIT. Obviously, there’s a chance the MIT student might know about robotics, while the NYU student would know very little.
It sounds to me like a stupid interview process. They shouldn’t expect someone going for one specific thing to know every little detail about the company if they don’t know someone in it.
Bingo,
Plus being from Syracuse’s, talking with a translator at an interview has to be a bitch.
My answer: "Damn near zero. The economy SUCKS!"
Yeah, I'd probably get a "good luck," too.
Which question was that?
Reminds me of the one interview I landed as a senior in my undergrad program - with Ralston Purina. I remember being bummed out that I wasn’t called back. In retrospect, it turned out to be best for me - and their loss!
Ouch!
I took, 10 seconds to answer both questions. Does that mean google will hire me?
That is an easy question. I've had much tougher ones in interviews. Wonder what courses she took to get her 3.6 GPA. Probably wasn't math.
However, good interviewees can prepare:
Knock 'em Dead contains about a zillion sample interview questions, IIRC.
One example: name 10 people that you admire. When you ask "Dead or Alive?", he says, "10 of each."
Never mind. I failed.....
Nah, they’ll just ask you, “Do you consider yourself a neat person?”
Sure, that sounds easy, but if you’re caught unprepared, you’ll just sit there as you recall your untidy bedroom and dirty bathroom at home, like I did. Live and learn...
Wonder how may times she said “like” and “maybe”????
Some people don’t do well when put on the spot, and it has nothing to do with their competency in basic math.
I would do my interviews like in “Men In Black”, make everybody sit it in uncomfortable chairs, give them a paper and pencil, and see which is the first one to grab the table in the middle.
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