Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, talked about what Google wants in new hires, especially for engineering jobs, on The David Rubenstein Show.
He said candidates need to be skilled and adaptable. Google looks for “superstar software engineers” who can handle fast changes.
Pichai said that Google’s work culture encourages creativity. He noted that free meals help build community. This leads to casual chats that can inspire new projects. He mentioned that his own talks in the café often led to new ideas.
Even with challenges in the tech job market, Google remains a popular workplace.
As of June 2024, the company has over 179,000 employees, and nearly 90% of job offers are accepted.
Pichai noted that getting a job at Google is competitive, especially with fewer hiring opportunities in the industry. He called it a “prestigious achievement.”
Recruiters shared helpful tips for job seekers. Nolan Church, a former Google recruiter, spoke with Business Insider and gave advice.
He said it’s important to prepare well for interviews. Candidates should know Google’s values and mission. They should also share stories about their successes to show they fit the company.
Church said it’s okay to negotiate your salary. However, asking for too much can hurt your chances.
He shared a story about a candidate who wanted double the offered salary. Because of this, the company took back the offer.
The candidate didn’t give enough reasons for such a big request.