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Forums Round Tables General Career Discussions How to get through Microsoft or Google

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 12:06 AM EST How to get through Microsoft or Google \| Reply
QASH 343 posts	I have been trying to apply in Microsoft and Google for last 1.5 years but got no interview call from them. Any tips for that?

Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 3:07 AM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by QASH) \| Reply
Stroker_Ace 241 posts	Form a successful web startup that goes from zero to millions of dollars of revenue in the first year and they will probably get in touch with you!

Tue, Dec 8, 2009 at 8:32 PM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by Stroker_Ace) \| Reply
dimkadimon 3986 posts	But in that case he will probably no longer want to work for them ;)

Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 12:03 AM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by dimkadimon) \| Reply
QASH 343 posts	:) yeah bcz I am working for Software Industry for almost two years. Tried in google once and in Microsoft twice. But I don't think they are interested :( Is there some topcoder who is working in any of these companies and can refer me ?

Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 9:24 AM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by QASH) \| Reply
vexorian 3711 posts	Is there a reason you specifically want to work in google or Microsoft?

Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 12:34 PM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by vexorian) \| Reply
QASH 343 posts	Yes :)

Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 7:14 PM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by QASH) \| Reply
Khaled_912 389 posts	Although the question seems to be looking for a binary answer, there is a an implicit "what" hidden in there :-) (i.e. "What is the reason?", he meant to ask...)

Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 11:26 PM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by Khaled_912) \| Reply
QASH 343 posts	Yeah thats right :) I was probably in a hurry. I think that I have the potential to work in these companies and I also want to work with the best brains of the world. I am sure, I can utilize my knowledge and skills in these companies.

Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 12:17 AM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by QASH) \| Reply
eleusive 791 posts	I think that I have the potential to work in these companies and I also want to work with the best brains of the world. Are these really the only two companies that meet such criteria? :)

1 edit \| Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 3:02 AM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by eleusive) \| Reply
Stroker_Ace 241 posts	Indeed. Some of the investment banks and hedge funds employ top, top people.

Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 5:16 AM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by Stroker_Ace) \| Reply
Malkava 864 posts	But it's not common that those kinds of companies will assign you jobs that pleases you. But they pay high wages, though. I'm working for a company that pays a very good wage, but now I decided to move to another one that will pay me less (not a lot less), but doing something that pleasures me a lot more, and I'm happy for that.

Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 10:57 AM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by eleusive) \| Reply
QASH 343 posts	O yeah...there are a lot. The main point is that I need someone who can refer me there and give me a chance to prove myself.

Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 11:51 AM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by QASH) \| Reply
Orange_Cloud 2064 posts	As I see it, you don't usually have to 'prove yourself' at interview: they'll dig very deep into your past looking for all kinds of 'proof'. So, you should actually 'prove yourself' _before_ interview.

Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 1:23 PM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by Orange_Cloud) \| Reply
Khaled_912 389 posts	dig very deep into your past It is not like he'll work with the CIA! This doesn't happen.

Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 2:05 PM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by Khaled_912) \| Reply
Orange_Cloud 2064 posts	Well, may be not that deep :) I just tried to tell they're interested in what you already done and the answer "I'm waiting for a cool company like yours to unfold my potential" ain't gonna work. And certainly, you should expect your references/past bosses to be contacted (in case you advance far enough in recruiting process).

Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 5:38 PM EST

Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by Orange_Cloud) | Reply

Khaled_912
389 posts

Well, the CV filtering process is the most unfair phase in the hiring pipeline. Companies like Google and Microsoft get tons of CVs. It is very difficult to judge a person merely from his CV and doing phone screens for all applicants is impossible. Even if someone has a good history as you mention, it is very likely that his CV will end up being missed. This is why I said that having referrals is the way to go.
:-)

Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 7:59 PM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by Khaled_912) \| Reply
slex 1888 posts	That's where Topcoder may help you, to get your CV inside through a far less crowded channel. I'm a proof that the little radioboxes you sometimes get when registering for a SRM can actually work.

Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 8:42 PM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by slex) \| Reply
Khaled_912 389 posts	Yeah how did I forget that? Participating in the GCJ and going onsite will most probably get you to a phone interview with Google.

Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 1:34 PM EST

Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by Stroker_Ace) | Reply

jmzero
796 posts

Form a successful web startup that goes from zero to millions of dollars of revenue in the first year and they will probably get in touch with you!

Alternatively, and much more in keeping with recent history, get some seed capital and form a startup that is successful at generating a lot of attention by giving stuff away and hemorrhaging money (at least millions per month, but if you can reach "lose a million a day" that would be ideal). Get purchased on the wild speculation that somehow all the attention and traffic will somehow be monetized someday (with someday being long after you've cashed the cheque, or never at all).

Sat, Dec 5, 2009 at 8:55 PM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by QASH) \| Reply
Khaled_912 389 posts	If you know someone working in either who thinks that you are smart and qualified for the job ask him for a referral. This should get you an interview.

Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 5:08 AM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by QASH) \| Reply
AjJi 893 posts	What you are working on is more important than where you are working.

Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 5:27 AM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by AjJi) \| Reply
Malkava 864 posts	This is irrelevant in this case. Once you join Google or Microsoft, you won't know exactly what you'll work in until your first day of work. Of course, there are exceptions for this rule.

Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 6:31 AM EST Re: How to get through Microsoft or Google (response to post by Malkava) \| Reply
Khaled_912 389 posts	But you will know which team you are about to join and you can also get a clear idea of their general interest and what they're trying to accomplish. This is usually sufficient to decide whether or not you will be interested in this role.

Forums Round Tables General Career Discussions How to get through Microsoft or Google
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