The Google Résumé: How to Prepare for a Career and Land a Job at Apple, Microsoft, Google, or any Top Tech Company

Chapter 2. Advanced Preparation

I didn't mind answering the same questions for hours on end. And I didn't mind the fact that I never even got a chance to eat lunch because the line to talk to me was so long. What really bugged me about representing Google at career fairs were the chemical engineering majors.

I know, that's unfair. There were others like them: bioengineering, material science, physics, and so on. A quick glance at their résumé would reveal nothing for which they were especially well suited. Sometimes I wanted to ask them, Is there any reason you're talking to me other than "Oh-my-god it's Google"? Why technology? Why you?

But I wouldn't. Instead, I'd politely smile and offer a canned response of, "I'm not sure what the best match would be for your background at this time, but we'll keep your résumé on file in case anything comes up." This is kind of like telling someone you meet at a bar, "How about I get your number, and I'll call you instead?" I've used both techniques, and let me tell you, they work great!

It's not that you can't find a role for a chemical engineer, but until Google starts its own chemistry lab (and I'm not holding my breath), a chemical engineering degree alone probably won't be your ticket into the company. The eager chemical engineer—or English literature major—needs to find other avenues to prove that they have what it takes to be a "Noogler."

What Can You Do: An Overview

Recruiters want to know two things when they pick up your résumé: Where would ...