[nylug-talk] Two comments to Google

[Tom Limoncelli]

On 10/5/06, Joshua Zeidner <jjzeidner at gmail.com> wrote:
> Chris,
>
>    Google recently came to Phoenix and there was a very similar reaction
> from the local talent here.  Many very smart people where really
> disappointed when Google didn't take notice of them.  I can tell you that
> Google is very secretive in their hiring and purchasing practices for the
> main reason that whatever criteria they do define is subject to immediate
> exploitation.  I'm not sure if reapplying is going to get you very far.  I
> know Python goes a long way around there, but I tend to think that attitude
> and personality type weigh in heavily.  Good luck in your job search.
>
> -jmz

I've read the comments and I felt I should respond since I work at the
nearest Google office (NYC, 76 9th ave).

The hiring process has been greatly revamped and improved over the
last 18 months, much of which has been a result of people complaining
on mailing lists like this as well as blogs (we google for the
negative comments.  See how it works?  (-: ).  I've seen a lot of blog
posts complaining about things that were issues 2+ years ago; Google
listened and made a
lot of changes.  I was hired after a major overhaul and didn't
experience any of the negative things that blogs were talking about
EXCEPT (a) the questions were very difficult, (b) it took longer than
at other companies.  I don't expect "a" to change, and "b" has been
improving constantly (I interview candidates and believe me, there is
pressure to get my feedback IMMEDIATELY).

As far as what happened in Phoenix, I wasn't there so I can't comment.
 However I do know that when an office starts the positions we hire
for are very specific.  As the site grows, the variety of jobs we hire
for expands.  Thus, if sysadmins in Phoenix felt ignored a year ago,
things are different now (in fact, yesterday I was talking with a
friend there that explicity said they're looking to hire IT people
RIGHT NOW).  I've also seen people send resumes for (for example)
technical positions at offices that they had no idea were 100% sales
offices... that's another story.

Someone asked about re-applying for a position.  General etiquette in
the HR world is to re-apply after waiting at least 12 months.  I
encourage anyone that's been rejected to do that.  A year of career
growth can make a big difference

Feel free to contact me on-list or off with questions.

Tom Limoncelli
Google NYC
tlim at google.com