Happy Wednesday!
I know it's been ages I last blogged here, but I hope my today's story will be worth such a long wait!
Remember, when I just started my blog I've shared with you some tips on how to make your CV stand out? Well, now I have a little proof my tips really work as I have been invited for an interview by one of my dream employers!
In case you are wondering what are the international companies I would looove to work for/with, here is my TOP-5 list: (my list is a bit different if I were to work in Ukraine)
1. Google because it's Google
2. BBC because working on TV is the best thing ever (trust me with this one as I did work on TV)
3. Apple because it's the ideal place for creativity, innovations and marketing
4. Burberry because I am as classy as their iconic products ;)
5. HBO because they made my favourite TV series
I wanted to make it very intriguing and not tell you what was the company that I had an interview with, but having considered all the pros and cons I went for a 'hooking headline' instead. So yes, it's Google!
Once upon a time I have applied for almost every potentially matching position at Google and started waiting for my lucky day. Nothing happened. :-) Couple of months or maybe even half a year later I read the news story on the new office Google is about to build in London in 2016 - 'I know where I will work in 2016' - posted I on Facebook the very same day. (I somehow believe in the idea of visualisation making dreams come true a little bit faster). Imagine how surprised I was when the following Monday I received an email with a subject line - 'Hello from Google'!?!?
'Hello, to you too', - I thought and could not really believe that their HR manger was inviting me to apply for a position of Associate Account Strategist. At first I was asked to submit a motivation letter in the language needed for the position (Ukrainian) and prepare for a little phone conversation.
You may have already read (I did that sooo-o-o many times) that Google offers their job candidates at least 3 rounds of interviews before the hire. Depending on the location of the applicant interviews may be conducted by phone, by Google Hangouts or live (on-site interviews are usually the last phase). As I was invited for the first phone interview I checked other people's blogs to get some tips. Now I am sharing my own experience with you. :)
1. First interview is about first impressions
My first impression on the interview was very nervous as I did not receive a call on the agreed day and even though my motivation letter was not good enough or something. The situation was worsen also because I have read an article saying that in the US it's a common practice for the recruiters not to call and not to respond to the emails after. But now I think this is rather an exception, because in my case everything worked out well - I emailed HR staff and we agreed to have that call the day after.
Anyway, the aim of the first interview is to check whether candidates speak understandable English and are generally adequate. :) The HR manager are usually very friendly and nice as they talk a lot about the position, location, Google and the benefits you will get. The questions I was asked and everyone should be prepared to answer are the following (and may vary depending on vacancy):
- Tell me more about your previous experience and highlight how it is relevant to the position you are applying for.
- Have you had any clients-facing experience? Tell me more about it.
- What is the project you have worked on that you are especially proud of?
- What's the biggest challenge you've overcome?
- If you were about to explain the benefits of Google AdWords to a client, what would you say?
- What are the current advertising trends in the region you are applying to work at?
- What salary would you expect from this position?
- How do you feel about moving to work in another country?
After that I was provided with more details on the recruitment process and the working scheme designed for that particular position, and the next interview date was set up.
2. The second interview is about your competency and suitability for the particular position
I am a very happy person really, but I am not that lucky, so when something can go wrong - it always does. :) Therefore, when on the day of the second interview (a week after the 1st one) my phone went nuts and 'did not want to pick itself up' (basically I could see the call on my screen, but could not do anything with it until it turned off unexpectedly) leaving me with 8!!! unanswered calls from Google, I was not that much surprised.
Yes, I was extremely upset and nervous, but luckily HR person emailed me in a minute, so that I explained what happened and asked whether it would be ok for me to call back. Turned out another call did not go through, so we decided to have that interview the next day. Again, not a good sign at all, but to get a job at Google is never easy, is it?:)
The second interview is conducted in the language(s) of the area you will be working with and by the person who works in the department you are applying in. The reason for this is that the person can better test your suitability, qualification and competency. The questions where constructed in a way so that I could provide a more detailed reflection on my previous work and gained skills.
- Tell me why are you applying for this job, what do you think you will bring to this position (your experience) and what is it you would want to learn/achieve from working at Google and at this position in particular?
- Tell me about a situation when you had an ethical dilemma at work, what the situation was, what did you do and what happened after? If the same thing happens again at your new job, what will you do?
- Tell me about a situation at your previous work when you improved a certain process? How? What results did you achieve?
- Have you ever worked with a difficult customer? What the situation was and how did you handle it?
- Did you have any leaving-abroad experience? Tell us about the challenges that you've faced and what have you learnt from them?
- Imagine that you have a client who wants to sell smartphones in this particular city (say, Glasgow). How would you define target audience and its volume? What solutions in terms of online advertising you would offer?
- What is Display Network and what is the difference between Display Network and Search Network?
The rest of the interview you are encouraged to ask questions, what I did. :)
3. To sum up!
From what I know now - the key to success (both with CVs and interviews) is to tailor everything you write and say to the position you are applying for.
Calm down, be relaxed and prepared - it's very unlikely you will face the same phone-call-disaster twice (because I already did and bad stuff rarely happens more often), so you will be fine!
Believe in your dreams and you will receive your lucky email. :-)
Keep trying and you will get your dream job - this is what I am going to do anyway!
Best of luck,
Maria
