How to Answer: Why do you want to work for Google?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Google job interview.
15. Why do you want to work for Google?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
There are a wide variety of reasons a position with Google is considered highly competitive and sought after. Your interviewer is curious about what your personal motivations for pursuing this job opportunity are, and whether you are pursuing this position for the right reasons. Your interviewer needs to make sure your motives are consistent with their principles. They need to make sure you are excited about joining a movement bigger than yourself, would fit into their culture, and be effective at building relationships with their teams. "Googlers are expected to do their utmost to create a supportive work environment where everyone has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential."
Written by Kevin Downey on February 4th, 2024
What You Need to Know
Google is ranked highly as a desirable place to work, and their positions are coveted. Not only for their company perks, such as having a gym and relaxation stations on-premises, or for being a dog-friendly workplace. "Google's affection for our canine friends is an integral facet of our corporate culture. We like cats, but we're a dog company, so as a general rule we feel cats visiting our offices would be fairly stressed out. However, before bringing your canine companion to the office, please make sure you review our Dog Policy."
Written by Kevin Downey on February 4th, 2024
How to Prep
When preparing for your interview, learn all you can about the company and their team sites. View their YouTube channel and familiarize yourself with their locations. Read their blog and how they go about taking care of their Googlers. Take the following tips and bits of advice from Google's recruiters to heart as well.
"Have you ever discovered you're good at something you're not passionate about? Many of us have. This may be a result of the work you like to do, or it may be something you've had to get good at because of a previous project or role. The more skills you have, the better, but it's hard to build a fulfilling career on something that doesn't excite you. Once you've taken some time to focus on what you're looking for, you can get a better idea of who we are, what we're about, and what it's like to work at Google. Our goal is for you to feel like you know us a bit better, and that you've got enough information to feel like you're applying for the right jobs. The goal here is the job or jobs you land on should exist at the intersection of who you are and who we are. Have a better sense of who we are and what part of the company and role seems like the best match for where you want to go."
Written by Kevin Downey on February 4th, 2024
Answer Example
"I want to work for Google because they are pioneers who are at the forefront of the future and because they've taken a far more responsible approach to introducing AI to the world. Side note: I prefer Bard to the other AI chat models out there, more personality, and am thrilled about the advancements in AI-generated images as well. I love the fact that so much of the workforce is based on a self-managed, think tank, collaborative atmosphere where you can bring your dog to work and feel free to be your whole self. I want to work with teams who think like me and who will value me for my contributions as much as I value them. I could go on. But there is no company I'd rather work for. And if I don't win this position, I will keep watching the job alerts and will keep applying to positions that align with my passions until I hopefully do earn a position here."
Written by Kevin Downey on February 4th, 2024