Ask HN: Do companies care if Google is on your resume?

by mattbgateson 1/18/2024, 4:43 AMwith 7 comments

Recently hired by Google... full-time temp contract position which is exciting for me, not really coding, but a technical position that required some training, and pay is a lot less than what I made at my last job, even after a negotation, but the experience of working for Google and being able to put the company on my resume is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially at my age.

I applied once.. years ago, didn't hear back, and I knew that dream died quickly. But I've worked a few jobs since then, and after applying to hundreds of jobs recently, hoping one would land and forgetting that I'd even applied, a rep called me to remind me that I had an orientation to attend with Google.

I had a few other interviews for coding positions and other non-tech industry positions and I could wait it out, but Google hired me immediately after I took a test and passed. And now I figure having Google on my resume, whether my time here lasts a month, three months, six months, or a year... it's a blessing to me no matter what.

Just looking out for the future, do companies actually notice or care if Google is on your resume?

by arx_on 1/18/2024, 8:53 AM

Not unless you actually got hired directly by Google. TVCs don’t have the same level of access/responsibility as FTEs. Also, iirc, your contract should state that it’s a breach to represent yourself as a Google employee.

by mikhael28on 1/18/2024, 4:28 PM

I would notice, but working there is a good and bad thing. Good in the sense that someone saw potential in you, its a signal of polish and intellect. Bad in the sense there is literally no guarantee that you are good at anything, and could actually be a net negative in many places. You could also think you’ve ‘made it’ and be a bit spoiled after a few years, thinking that the level of output you deliver there would be remotely acceptable at other, more nimble organizations.

by JohnFenon 1/18/2024, 2:14 PM

I think it depends. Some companies won't care one way or another. They're looking at your skills more than where you got them. Some companies will consider it a positive, and some will consider it a negative, depending on how much they resemble how Google does things.

by kncklon 1/19/2024, 10:13 AM

I am not sure if having Google on your resume is as impressive as it used to be back in the day. Their reputation is tanking every day. I used to love Google products, now I avoid anything built by Google (except Golang). Leadership change is long overdue.

by deterministicon 1/20/2024, 12:26 AM

I have worked with devs that later was hired by Google. They were OK but not the best devs I have worked with. So no I don’t care about Google when hiring people.

by Mutttttioion 1/18/2024, 10:57 AM

of course they do when you actually got hired at google.

Even if you only interned at google, people will notice.