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Ask HN: How can I realize my dream of working for Google with a limited resume?

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Ask HN: How can I realize my dream of working for Google with a limited resume?

#1

Post by GugelGui »

I'm a talented 20 year old developer from portland with 10 years of programming experience, but only 2 years of realistic things to put on my resume. I've known for a very long time that working for Google was one of my biggest life goals, but feel right now that I'm stuck worrying about ruining my chances by applying with a resume that truly doesn't showcase my full talent or ability.

I'm currently working for a portland startup where I am not undervalued, but I feel somewhat trapped.

I know where I'd like to work for Google, I know what I'd like to work on, but I can't seem to get any google employees to give me any solid direction beyond "submit your resume".

What do you guys suggest?

Re: Ask HN: How can I realize my dream of working for Google with a limited resume?

#2

Post by tatvamasi »

It seems like what you need an external validation of your talents which can be put on your resume. Some examples of such validation include: - Start contributing to open source. Start with small bug fixes but quickly move to some real, solid work. You'll lean a ton along the way and will get the validation you need. - If you are a frontend engineer, put out some demos publicly accessible on the Internet. Let people know what you can build. To add on the top, put the code on github and help others who want to reuse it.

In parallel, start cultivating relationships with Google employees in the area of your interest. Attend meetups where they may be present. Tell them things that you are working on and get their advice on how you can improve.

Somewhere along the way in this path, you will be a better and well-networked programmer that great tech companies won't afford to ignore.

Re: Ask HN: How can I realize my dream of working for Google with a limited resume?

#3

Post by michaelpinto »

I think the real problem is that you feel "somewhat trapped". From what I can see in tech circles working at Google is like getting into Harvard. So my thoughts are if that's the case:

1. Network and find a google employee or ex-google employee (they all hang out on G+ by the way) and ask anyone to look at resume and tell you what the weak points are, and ask if said things can be improved. But be ready to hear the truth.

2. I think your real problem is that you feel trapped. Maybe the way to solve this is to work for an A level company in Silicon Valley? Maybe you can't get a job with Google, but maybe you can get a job with some other company in the Google orbit (example: Samsung is opening a campus). Also I'd be open to other companies because at least if you aren't at Harvard you can still go to another Ivy League school if you know what I mean.

Re: Ask HN: How can I realize my dream of working for Google with a limited resume?

#4

Post by throwaway420 »

You're just 20. You have a long time to fulfill your dream. Don't stress out over this or overthink this. If you want to, apply. If you don't make it, apply a few years later. They won't reject your application if you eventually become experienced enough to contribute there.

Also, I wouldn't recommend putting Google on a pedestal. Working at Google is nice and prestigious and all, but you'll deal with a lot of dumb bullshit at any big company you work at, including Google. Google might be very prestigious and all, but having an important role in a startup in Portland can lead to a much nicer overall lifestyle.

Re: Ask HN: How can I realize my dream of working for Google with a limited resume?

#6

Post by eplanit »

throwaway420 wrote: post #4

You're just 20. You have a long time to fulfill your dream. Don't stress out over this or overthink this. If you want to, apply. If you don't make it, apply a few years later. They won't reject your application if you eventually become experienced enough to contribute there. Also, I wouldn't recommend putting Google on a pedestal. Working at Google is nice and prestigious and all, but you'll deal with a lot of dumb b…

To the OP -- the below (and above) is well-stated, and cannot be overemphasized.

"Also, I wouldn't recommend putting Google on a pedestal. Working at Google is nice and prestigious and all, but you'll deal with a lot of dumb bullshit at any big company you work at, including Google. Google might be very prestigious and all, but having an important role in a startup in Portland can lead to a much nicer overall lifestyle."

Re: Ask HN: How can I realize my dream of working for Google with a limited resume?

#7

Post by mindcrime »

First of all, I absolutely agree with what throwaway420 said about not putting Google on a pedestal. I wouldn't advocate making any company (other than one you start yourself) such a "huge life goal". Yeah, Google have a lot going for them, but I'll bet you there's plenty of negatives about working there as well. And as big as they are now, there's no way there isn't a significant level of bureaucracy and typical corporate B.S. Just read some of michaelochurch's comments[1] here on HN sometime for a different view of Google from the inside.

Anyway, that said, if I specifically wanted to target Google, I'd do this: Find one of the many OSS projects that Google run, and get involved. Start submitting patches, get your patches accepted, and become a valued contributor to the team. Make it a point to follow Google emmployees on G+, Twitter, whatever, and pay attention to what they're sharing and discussing. If you see an interesting topic, bone up on it. Read the various Google blogs. Stay on top of what topics Google are showing an interest in and become knowledgeable on this stuff. Post share stuff on G+, Twitter, etc. that demonstrates your knowledge in these various areas. Network with all the Google employees you can (without doing any creepy stalkerish stuff!) and build credibility with them. At some point, if you do all this right, they'll probably start trying to recruit you!

Bonus option two: Start a startup that gets acquired by Google.

[1]: http://news.ycombinator.com/threads?id=michaelochurch

Re: Ask HN: How can I realize my dream of working for Google with a limited resume?

#8

Post by lnanek2 »

Google will actually hire people right out of school if they are good enough. One Googler I talked to phrased it as, they have enough money to hire someone who will only hit their stride several years later. Most companies don't have this ability, they need to hire someone with maximum experience for their dollar immediately.

It probably helps Google in another way in that their culture is kind of cut off and different. Most of my experience is in enterprise Java and it's always weird talking to Googlers who were never really a part of the rise of Dependency Injection with Spring, unchecked exceptions with Hibernate, etc., etc.. Sort of like how they don't use C++ exceptions if you are a C++ guy. So growing their own talent has advantages in that the talent won't expect the more common public practices that Google missed out on.

Re: Ask HN: How can I realize my dream of working for Google with a limited resume?

#9

Post by argonaut »

mindcrime wrote: post #7

First of all, I absolutely agree with what throwaway420 said about not putting Google on a pedestal. I wouldn't advocate making any company (other than one you start yourself) such a "huge life goal". Yeah, Google have a lot going for them, but I'll bet you there's plenty of negatives about working there as well. And as big as they are now, there's no way there isn't a significant level of bureaucracy and typical cor…

Just a side note: I'm not sure if I really trust michaelochurch's comments anymore. Any time I begin reading a comment bashing Google's hiring practices, with the bashing done in a very specific way, I play a little game with myself by telling myself "this was written by michaelochurch." 9/10 times I'm right. There was one thread where several other commenters said (claimed) they had worked at Google during michaelochurch's time there, and that basically a lot of the trouble that occurred was partly his fault.

So I don't know who to believe anymore.

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