Even in a normal job market, and more so in these tough times, competition is brutal to get a cubicle at coveted companies such as Google.
The tech giant, which just nabbed the "ideal employer" slot in a Universum Group survey of undergraduates, gets more than 3,000 applications a day. No wonder: It's financially stable; it offers tuition reimbursement of up to $12,000 a year; it provides free breakfast, lunch and dinner; it offers health coverage from the first day of employment; and the folks in its Mountain View, Calif., headquarters have access to an on-campus gym, car wash, bike-repair shop and Laundromat, as well as subsidized haircuts.
The benefits definitely help to ease "transition into adulthood," says Sean Harvey, a Google business product manager. "It's a good way to get started."
After a hiring lull, the Internet giant has recently ramped up recruitment. It's "hiring aggressively right now," says spokesman Jordan Newman. "We're focusing on sales and engineers, but we're hiring across the board and across the world."
Google posts entry-level jobs at google.com/jobs/students/ — and reviews each application. "All résumés for open positions are looked at by a human person," Newman says. "It's not like there's a black hole."
The company pre-screens candidates by phone. Those who earn an onsite interview typically meet with five Googlers.
While grades matter, it takes more than an exceptional GPA. Here's what hiring managers are looking for:
•Extracurricular activity junkies. "We don't want someone who just studied the whole time" at college, says Yolanda Mangolini, director of talent and outreach programs.
•Candidates who stretch beyond comfort. "What we're looking for primarily is someone who can do more than what they know," Harvey says. "Somebody who is flexible and can roll with the punches, not someone who can do just one job and puts his head down."
•Unique personalities. "Come prepared to discuss what makes you a unique candidate," Mangolini says. "We value distinct perspectives."
Contributing: Laura Petrecca
SOURCE: USA TODAY. ORIGINAL ARTICLE>>>>
