Insider Q & A: Google Recruiter Jeff Moore on Why Not to Rule Yourself Out of the Job
Jeff Moore is a Lead Engineering Recruiter for Google and has over 10 years of recruiting
experience in the High Tech and Software Industries. Jeff is currently responsible for recruiting world class engineers to join Google’s offices across the United States Eastern Region including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Washington DC. He is an active blogger with interests in social networking and mobile technology.
Google is the king of search engines, how do you find candidates?
We find candidates every way you can imagine — from programs, employee referrals, events, online applications. No stone unturned. We do look at people who have applied for jobs in the past and haven’t been a fit at the job they applied for. We do that all the time. We hire a lot of people who have interviewed before and didn’t get hired. A lot of companies miss out on good people by not going back. We don’t.
How does a candidate get your attention?
Having a clean, clear crisp resume that shows off skills. File that one as obvious. Employee referrals and having done good work is important. A cool research project or a great internship. Those kind of things really jump off the page.
What does a good write-up on a project look like?
A good write-up explains what you did, how you did it, what skills you used. What the results show and the impact of your work on the company. Talk your potential hiring manager or recruiter through the project through cradle to grave – show the outcome that it made. That’s huge. We like to see results, as well as the why. We want to know how it worked.
What makes a great candidate beyond the tech skills?
The ability to communicate. We are very collaborative. You’ve got to be able to communicate, work outside your team, and communicate what you want to get done.
Do you have any “never do” tips for individuals for working with recruiters?
I think the biggest one – to be honest — is being shy when asking for questions, checking in, or asking about status. Don’t be shy if you want follow-up. A lot of people don’t do this. You should do this.
Any bad assumption that you’ve seen job seekers make in applying for jobs with Google?
People assume that they aren’t going to get into Google. The reputation is such that it is very hard to get into Google. And so some people don’t even try.
I didn’t go to a great school. I didn’t have an amazing GPA. But I work at Google. So could you.
Don’t take yourself out of the game by making assumption and choosing not to apply. I’ve hired people who don’t have college degrees.
Are there any questions I haven’t asked that I should be asking? What’s the question, and what’s your answer?
Where is Google hiring?
The answer is everywhere. 2011 will be our biggest year in company history. There may be a role in your backyard. Look for it.
Use it now – actionable – advice for job seekers:
Actively network. Network, network, network. Whether its with friends, colleagues, etc. It’s the networking that will help you find the job.
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