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Things I've learned at Google so far

bentilly.blogspot.com

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Re: Things I've learned at Google so far

#11

Post by mrduncan »

btilly wrote: post #6
gritzko wrote: post #2

Blah-blah, Google is so cool, nothing worth reading, actually.

Let's see. I offered advice on gmail that solves complaints I have heard about it in the past from heavy email users. I described a scene of perpetual chaos that plenty of people would hate. And I gave the piece of information that Google is hiring. Those are three pieces of information that I thought were worthwhile sharing which are definitely not simply "Google is cool".

I thought there were some really interesting tidbits in there and I enjoyed reading about the office environment. About the information that they're hiring - has there ever been a time when Google wasn't hiring? (I mean that seriously, not to be snarky.)

Re: Things I've learned at Google so far

#13

Post by petercooper »

Google has amazing people. It is often said that engineers find working at Google a humbling experience. This is absolutely true. It took me less than a day to realize that the guy sitting next to me is clearly much smarter than I am [..] without false modesty I wouldn't be surprised to find that I'm as high as being in the top 0.1% in general intelligence (however that could be measured).

This strikes me as a problem, rather than an achievement. Google seems to be jam packed with highly intelligent eggheads, but Google isn't a pure science company - they're trying to work with consumers too. Most of the most successful businessmen and entrepreneurs I know don't come even close to the top 1% of intelligence (and are often even dyslexic) as they need a wider range of faculties like common-sense, charisma, creativity, and "emotional intelligence."

Maybe this guy's in the engineering department and Google does hire a lot of creatives, business types, and what not, but their products have a rather sterile edge that makes me think the engineers always win over there..

Re: Things I've learned at Google so far

#14

Post by btilly »

mrduncan wrote: post #11
btilly wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Let's see. I offered advice on gmail that solves complaints I have heard about it in the past from heavy email users. I described a scene of perpetual chaos that plenty of people would hate. And I gave the piece of information that Google is hiring. Those are three pieces of information that I thought were worthwhile sharing which are definitely not simply "Google is cool".

I thought there were some really interesting tidbits in there and I enjoyed reading about the office environment. About the information that they're hiring - has there ever been a time when Google wasn't hiring? (I mean that seriously, not to be snarky.)

About a year ago Google had a layoff and stopped hiring.

This was personally frustrating, because I got through the interview process in Feb, got approved by the hiring committee, then headcount was not approved. Which put me in a state of indefinite limbo. So I had found a different job by the time they contacted me again in October.

Re: Things I've learned at Google so far

#15

Post by jlees »

petercooper wrote: post #13

Google has amazing people. It is often said that engineers find working at Google a humbling experience. This is absolutely true. It took me less than a day to realize that the guy sitting next to me is clearly much smarter than I am [..] without false modesty I wouldn't be surprised to find that I'm as high as being in the top 0.1% in general intelligence (however that could be measured). This strikes me as a proble…

The focus is on engineers. Google seems to hire people with exactly the qualities you mention to work directly with the consumers, and leave the hyper-genius engineers where they prefer, away from real people ;) Although there is an element of intelligence and also of having a technical background for many of the consumer-facing roles too.

Re: Things I've learned at Google so far

#18

Post by btilly »

waivej wrote: post #9

This article really made me want to go work for Google. Is it possible to get tours and meet real employees?

I have no idea about official tours. I rather doubt it though. It is a work place, not a theme park.

However if you happen to know someone there, they have the freedom to meet you on campus and show you around all they like.

Re: Things I've learned at Google so far

#20

Post by csomar »

In fact this is enshrined as an official corporate policy - engineers get 20% of their time to do with pretty much as they please, and are judged in part on how they use that time. I found a speech claiming that over half of Google's applications started as a 20% project.

>> (I'm surprised that the figure is so low.)

I wonder why you are surprised? Actually it's very high. Imagine Google don't offer 20% for its' employees, will their productivity (in their real jobs) increase? Probably not, you won't work 100% of your time, you'll work 70% or 80% in best cases.

Google profit from this wasted 20% to turn it into useful mini-applications, that can turn big in the future and the best example is Gmail.

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