Calling all Google employees/those who have done interviews for Google

Dudess

Hi guys and gals. I'm just wondering how long you had to wait after applying before you heard from them.

And does anyone know whether you hear from them either way, or just if you're called for interview?

Cheers

kennear

Yeah I have experienced the same thing. Still waiting 2 hear back from them :-/ I have applied well b4 christmas & still nothing. I graduated with a good degree & now working as a programmer.

Dudess

Well I only applied the other day so I was just asking the question rather than complaining about how long I've had to wait. Oh Christ, well before Christmas? Now I'm blue...

Edit: Is/are the job(s) you applied for still open? Google does appear to keep its vacancies open for ages and ages. The recruiting system seems highly professional so I'd presume they'd get back to you either way... Maybe I'm wrong but I think it's exceptionally bad form if you apply somewhere for a job that has been advertised (I'm not talking about unsolicited applications) and the company doesn't respond at all.
I presume an automated email is generated by Google if an applicant doesn't make it to interview...?

AARRRGH

Most people don't hear back from Google. It's a common complaint.

Dudess

Even just to let them know they haven't been shortlisted for interview...?

Dudess

That is crap form when the job is advertised - different if the CV was just sent in on spec. I'm amazed - considering how hi-tech and professional they seem.
I went for a bunch of administrative positions.

ntlbell

Google are a HUGE company and usually hire a lot of people for the same role's it's why you might see some of the jobs advertised a long time.

Being a very popular choice they get in thousands upon thousands of cv's and to get back to everyone just to say you're not even been asked for an interview is pointless.

I would of thought in the current climate people generally apply for jobs and unless they're contacted it was binned.

It's a waste of time and money for all in involved to do anything else.

AARRRGH

They could set up an auto-responder saying something like "Due to the large amount of job applications we receive, we cannot reply to every e-mail. If you do not hear from us within two weeks, this means we are not proceeding with your application. Thank you for applying" or some ****e like that. At least people would then know when to stop hoping...

markpb

Have to echo the others, there's a chance you'll never hear back from them. I know people who've sat phone interviews with them and never heard a peep. Very unprofessional.

dazberry

We just received your resume and would like to thank you for your interest
in working at Google. This email confirms that your application has been
submitted for the following positions:

<<< JOB TITLE HERE >>>

Our staffing team will carefully assess your qualifications for the role(s)
you selected and others that may be a fit. Should there be a suitable
match, we will be sure to get in touch with you.

Seems pretty self explanatory to me. Of course if you've started down the interview process beyond the initial application and then get the "cold shoulder" - well that's pretty poor IMO.

D.

Dudess

dublindude wrote: »

They could set up an auto-responder saying something like "Due to the large amount of job applications we receive, we cannot reply to every e-mail. If you do not hear from us within two weeks, this means we are not proceeding with your application. Thank you for applying" or some ****e like that. At least people would then know when to stop hoping...

Exactly. Some people are able to just forget about a job they'd love as soon as they apply for it, and kudos to them. I wish I was like that. I try to make myself forget but I find it really difficult.

markpb wrote: »

I know people who've sat phone interviews with them and never heard a peep. Very unprofessional.

I appreciate the sheer enormity of the operation, but then, surely that's even more of a reason to set up certain generic emails...?

feylya

I got a phone call 2 weeks after I applied and a week after my final interview. Didn't get the job of course.

Dudess

Bummer. Still though, while this wouldn't have been much comfort at the time, it seems it's quite an accomplishment to get an interview at all, let alone a bunch of them, so well done in that respect.

eth0_

Dudess wrote: »

That is crap form when the job is advertised - different if the CV was just sent in on spec. I'm amazed - considering how hi-tech and professional they seem.
I went for a bunch of administrative positions.

No it's not. It's very rare that any company would contact you to let you know they were not going to offer you an interview, even if the job was advertised.

If you're receiving thousands of CV's per DAY, you cannot possibly reply to people you aren't short-listing. I would have thought anyone with experience of applying for jobs would realise if you haven't heard back within about 2 weeks, the company isn't interested?

I do agree it's poor form if you have actually done interviews (with any company) and they never get back to you.

Dudess

eth0_ wrote: »

It's very rare that any company would contact you to let you know they were not going to offer you an interview, even if the job was advertised.

Oh is it really? Not in my experience. What makes you so sure it's very rare?

If you're receiving thousands of CV's per DAY, you cannot possibly reply to people you aren't short-listing.

It's not like I'm expecting a personal reply to each application. It's Google ffs, surely an automated email isn't beyond this hi-tech company's capabilities.

eth0_ wrote: »

I would have thought anyone with experience of applying for jobs would realise if you haven't heard back within about 2 weeks, the company isn't interested?

In the case of smaller companies yes, in the case of a massive operation like Google which, as you say yourself, receives thousands of CVs per day, two weeks is nothing.
Lol at the way your post was thanked...

ntlbell

Dudess wrote: »

Oh is it really? Not in my experience. What makes you so sure it's very rare?

It's not like I'm expecting a personal reply to each application. It's Google ffs, surely an automated email isn't beyond this hi-tech company's capabilities.

In the case of smaller companies yes, in the case of a massive operation like Google which, as you say yourself, receives thousands of CVs per day, two weeks is nothing.
Lol at the way your post was thanked...

I've worked with most of the large american IT companies in Ireland at some point and I can't recall one that sent me an automated response.

Maybe they're used to hiring profesionals who don't need a little pat on the back for sending a mail or so they don't worry there little minds over the comming weeks.

I have been through the google process and many friends have.

It's long and drawn out but what it's not is unprofesional.

Well at least you know what a shabby setup they operate now and move your cv on elsewhere and find companies to cuddle you after an application.

Dudess

ntlbell wrote: »

I've worked with most of the large american IT companies in Ireland at some point and I can't recall one that sent me an automated response.

Very surprising.

It's long and drawn out but what it's not is unprofesional.
Well at least you know what a shabby setup they operate now

Oh I certainly would not consider Google to be unprofessional or shabby - absolutely not. That's why I'm surprised at this one thing. I'd expect it from other companies but definitely not an operation like Google.
I'm certainly not criticising the long, drawn-out recruitment process either - considering I'm referring to instances where people haven't made it to even the first stage of said process anyway.

and move your cv on elsewhere and find companies to cuddle you after an application.

Maybe they're used to hiring profesionals who don't need a little pat on the back for sending a mail or so they don't worry there little minds over the comming weeks.

Yeah... Or maybe I think it's professional to show a gesture of courtesy.
Lol at how nasty your post is (the usual - yawn) and how personally you take my comments. Oh, and you were saying in another thread that you're pissed off with IT departments too. Maybe you should apply for that company you love so much, McDonalds...

nesf

Dudess wrote: »

Oh is it really? Not in my experience. What makes you so sure it's very rare?

It is fairly rare. When you are applying for a job where there are only a handful of CVs gone in, yes it happens but if you are applying for jobs where there are a lot of CVs then it really doesn't make sense for the company to pay for someone to reply to all the ones that weren't suitable.

Dudess

As I said: a generic, automated response - not personal replies.

Public sector organisations send out letters - these would have huge volumes of applications.

Iago

Dudess wrote: »

Oh is it really? Not in my experience. What makes you so sure it's very rare?

It's a long time since I was in this situation (8 years or so) but the last time I was looking for work I applied for over 50 positions before I got a job I was looking for. Of the 50+ CVs and cover letters I sent in I got a total of 7 responses out of which I had 3 interviews.

Each CV was sent in relation to an advertised position rather than on speculation, it's frustrating but I thought it was fairly normal at the time.

ntlbell

Dudess wrote: »

Yeah... Or maybe I think it's professional to show a gesture of courtesy.
Lol at how nasty your post is (the usual - yawn) and how personally you take my comments. Oh, and you were saying in another thread that you're pissed off with IT departments too. Maybe you should apply for that company you love so much, McDonalds...

It's not nasty at all, it's just a bit honest (i know people have difficulty with it) Why would I take your comments personally I just find your attitude amusing.

I would apply for McD's but as I stated before the pants would do nothing for me and I'm not sure I would know what to do with all the money.

Hows that fledging media career going?

didn't you state I was odd for remembering things you said in threads, now your recalling mine?

How very corkonian.

Dudess

ntlbell wrote: »

It's not nasty at all, it's just a bit honest

The wording is.

Hows that fledging media career going?

Gloating is certainly nasty.

Iago wrote: »

It's a long time since I was in this situation (8 years or so) but the last time I was looking for work I applied for over 50 positions before I got a job I was looking for. Of the 50+ CVs and cover letters I sent in I got a total of 7 responses out of which I had 3 interviews.

Each CV was sent in relation to an advertised position rather than on speculation, it's frustrating but I thought it was fairly normal at the time.

Hmmm. In my experience, not getting confirmation that the application won't be taken further has been the exception rather than the rule. But anyway, cheers.

nesf

ntlbell wrote: »

It's not nasty at all, it's just a bit honest (i know people have difficulty with it) Why would I take your comments personally I just find your attitude amusing.

I would apply for McD's but as I stated before the pants would do nothing for me and I'm not sure I would know what to do with all the money.

Hows that fledging media career going?

didn't you state I was odd for remembering things you said in threads, now your recalling mine?

How very corkonian.

Tone it down a bit, no need for either of ye to start getting personal. We expect people to act like adults on here not throw little digs at each other like a bunch of school yard children.

eth0_

Dudess wrote: »

Oh is it really? Not in my experience. What makes you so sure it's very rare?

Yes, I am sure. I've been working full time for 7 years now and have applied for lots of jobs during that time. More often than not, if I was not shortlisted for an interview, I wouldn't receive a letter/phone call/email. It's a given if you don't hear from the company within a few weeks they aren't going to take your application further.

Dudess wrote: »

In the case of smaller companies yes, in the case of a massive operation like Google which, as you say yourself, receives thousands of CVs per day, two weeks is nothing.

Google have a very large recruitment organisation, CV's are processed quicker than you'd think. I have no idea for what reason people aren't notified they won't be interviewed, but if I were you, i'd chalk it up to experience and maybe apply again in 6 months if you really want to work for them.

Dudess wrote: »

Lol at the way your post was thanked...

What is your problem?

Red Hand

eth0_ wrote: »

No it's not. It's very rare that any company would contact you to let you know they were not going to offer you an interview, even if the job was advertised.

If you're receiving thousands of CV's per DAY, you cannot possibly reply to people you aren't short-listing. I would have thought anyone with experience of applying for jobs would realise if you haven't heard back within about 2 weeks, the company isn't interested?

I do agree it's poor form if you have actually done interviews (with any company) and they never get back to you.

Would have to agree. I applied for so many jobs when out of work and roughly only a quarter would say that they wouldn't be calling me for interview or whatever. This goes for smallish companies to large multinationals as big or bigger than Google.

I was really peed off with one crowd-went for an interview and didn't hear anything back from them. I rang them after two weeks and they said they werre still interviewing people and would let me know. Still hadn't heard back from them two weeks later when I went on the Fas website and saw the same job that I'd been interviewed being re-advertised. They were a smallish chemical company-won't be applying to them again if I'm out of work again.:mad:

nesf

Dudess wrote: »

Lol at the way your post was thanked...

I thanked eth0_'s post because a) it's nearly word for word what my reply would have been and b) it's better than me quoting it and saying "+1". I would encourage people to do the same when they come across a similar situation because it's a good way of lauding good informative posts on forums like this one.

She's talking sense, you should listen to her instead of reading way too much into things.

Dudess

Sorry nesf and eth0_ for my hastiness. This never-ending job hunt and run of bad luck since July '06 is getting me so, so down that it's making me narky with people who don't deserve it. I'm very sorry again.

eth0_ wrote: »

Yes, I am sure. I've been working full time for 7 years now and have applied for lots of jobs during that time. More often than not, if I was not shortlisted for an interview, I wouldn't receive a letter/phone call/email. It's a given if you don't hear from the company within a few weeks they aren't going to take your application further.

The reason I questioned your assertion that it's the norm is: in my experience, genuinely, it's been the opposite. I can only think of two places out of the plethora of places I applied to that didn't advise me I hadn't been shortlisted for interview (and one of those was a position I knew I didn't have much chance of getting anyway; the other one did respond when I badgered them with a few emails). But now I know it actually is the norm - meh, it's a good lesson to learn.

Google have a very large recruitment organisation, CV's are processed quicker than you'd think.

Hmmm, in my defence, this would be another reason why I don't think automated emails are too much to ask. That said, Feylya says he got called for interview two weeks after applying, which is quite a while.

if I were you, i'd chalk it up to experience and maybe apply again in 6 months if you really want to work for them.

Well I only applied last week so I'm not yet at the stage where I'm wondering if they'll ever call me but I was just asking a general question.

Jeremiah 16:1 wrote: »

I was really peed off with one crowd-went for an interview and didn't hear anything back from them. I rang them after two weeks and they said they werre still interviewing people and would let me know. Still hadn't heard back from them two weeks later when I went on the Fas website and saw the same job that I'd been interviewed being re-advertised.

Yeah, it's underhanded, spineless weasels like that who give recruiters/HR personnel a bad name. It baffles me that they're so gutless they can't even tell someone they've been unsuccessful.

And I'm certainly not shoving Google into the same bracket as the likes of the above, or on an anti-Google rant. It strikes me as an excellent organisation, all the more reason why I'm surprised at the lack of an automated email advising applicants they aren't being shortlisted for interview.

nesf

#1 tip when searching for work:

Don't hang around waiting for a company to call wondering about where you stand. If you really need to know, call the HR department, otherwise move on and keep applying for jobs and don't worry about it. I'd recommend the second personally since if you're out of work it's a waste of phone credit, but I'm a "budgeter" type.

Dudess

Oh yeah, I just keep applying everywhere - not doing so would be putting all my eggs in one basket, but when there's something I'd really like, I do try hard to forget about it, but it's not easy...

nesf

Dudess wrote: »

Oh yeah, I just keep applying everywhere - not doing so would be putting all my eggs in one basket, but when there's something I'd really like, I do try hard to forget about it, but it's not easy...

Try reskilling? Figure out whether you're willing to go through the pain of getting into journalism and if you don't want it go do a Fás course or something similar and retrain for a different job. Personally I wouldn't waste my time trying to get into such a "contact driven" workplace if I didn't have the necessary contacts or networking done but I'm cynical enough for this to not bother me in the slightest when I think about potential careers.

Dudess

Oh I've given up on the journalism thing. Press office jobs are all I'd go for now. Other than that, administrative positions. Problem is, I'm considered overqualified for admin positions and underqualified for press official work.

nesf

Dudess wrote: »

Oh I've given up on the journalism thing. Press office jobs are all I'd go for now, other than that, administrative positions. Problem is, I'm considered overqualified for admin positions and underqualified for press official work.

Look for a different area or avenue of approach into the position? Explain clearly in the interviews that you have given up on Journalism and are focussed now on a career in admin? Etc.

Dudess

Yeah I go to great pains to make that point, but meh, I'll get something. I mean I have a job now, but it's mind-numbing. Then again, very few jobs are amazing...

ntlbell

With the options that are available to us now there really is no need to be in a job that you don't have an interest in and/or passion for.

You're going to be working for another 35 years and to be doing something you're heart isn;t it in for that lenght of time is a huge waste imo.

So the media thing didn't turn into that passion but there's no reason other things you enjoy in life cant be turned into a decent occupation.

Fas have really good courses these days the IDA are throwing money at anyone with half a decent buisness idea.

I know a number of people who have recently got huge backing from them for a very simple buisness ideas.

you're young enough to take the risk.

AARRRGH

Could you work for free as a press officer for a charity?

I reckon with a bit of imagination you can get the experience you lack.

Dudess

Cheers for the tips, guys.

But back on topic(!): those who have got into Google or done at least one interview for them - how long were you waiting for them to get back to you first?