I am very proud and excited to announce that a week from today, I will be joining Google as an Interaction Designer.
Many of us (regardless of the industry) have a few “dream” places we’d like to one day be a part of. I’ve always counted those with just one hand. Since before I completed my Masters in Human-Computer Interaction, Google was always one of them.
Joining Google was not easy nor quick. It was, however, a very interesting journey and one I’m happy to share with everyone here.
I can remember applying for a position at Google since before I got my first-ever job as a designer. I can’t imagine how many times I may have sent my CV for consideration. However, I do remember the times I was in fact considered, but rejected: three.
The first time, I didn’t even make it to the commonly-known “take home design exercise” step in the process. The second time, I did — and passed it. I was invited for an onsite interview and made it to the final step in the process: one that is more particular to Google itself, in which a separate review committee reviews your application and decides whether or not to extend an offer (before choosing a team).
They didn’t.
It was 2017. I remember I was casually sitting in front of Samovar Tea Lounge at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco (while on a work trip with JP Morgan Chase). I can’t remember why, but I happened to be there at the same time Bernie Sanders was giving a speech to a massive crowd on a lawn nearby. It was then when I received a phone call from the recruiter (who we will call “Valerie”) saying that after careful consideration, the committee had decided not to move forward.
I remember feeling very bad about myself and my abilities as a designer — thinking I had done a lot of work to get there and got so close, but somehow it wasn’t enough. Valerie said “hey, but after some time passes, you should consider applying again”. I know many companies encourage rejected candidates to apply again no less than 9–12 months later — but it didn’t stop me from thinking these were some sort of cold, canned set of parting words for someone being rejected after a long process.
Nevertheless, applying again is exactly what I did roughly a year or so after this point: my third time — except this time, I didn’t even make it past the “design exercise” stage.
“That’s it”, I thought. I hadn’t even gone as far as the previous time, so I forced myself to think perhaps I was never really going to be part of at least one of my “dream places to work”.
Fast-forward to 2019, I had just accepted a new position at Adobe, when another Google sourcer contacted me about starting a new application process. I kindly declined, of course, but she said “she’d get back to me some time down the road to check on me”. I said “Sure, thanks…” but of course, didn’t think it was going to happen.
But happen, it did. In a time where the world was almost entirely shut down due to a global pandemic, I decided to give this yet one more try.
I couldn’t help remembering the previous 3 rejections and thinking that if it happened yet again, this would be a sign of from the universe to stop trying to force something that simply wasn’t never going to happen.
However, after a couple of phone screens, I was put in touch with another recruiter who would oversee the “onsite interview” (now “offsite” and remote due to COVID-19, of course). In her email, she said something to the extent of:
“…looking forward to working with you again! I’m not sure if you remember me, but we worked together on your candidacy back in 2017.
Best Regards;
Valerie.”
😮
What are the odds? Specially in a company of this size.
Then came the “onsite/offsite”. It was as intense as grueling as I remember it in person. A whole day full presentations, portfolio reviews, and very challenging (but really intriguing) on-the-spot exercises assessing all sorts of aspects of my design thinking, process, views & methodologies. All through the “comfort” of a Google Meet video call.
This is as far as I had previously got. I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it past this step in the process, but one thing I did know is that this time, I felt different. Somehow I felt like I truly connected with each and every single one of the interviewers. I also remember feeling less & less nervous as the day went by — mainly because I felt less like I was being “tested” and more like I was simply collaborating with fellow practitioners.
On one hand I felt happy to feel so good about this interview, but on the other I felt bad about thinking I could possibly be rejected once again — despite feeling so positive about the process (and more excited to join the company than ever before).
But the 4th time was the one. Valerie was excited to share with me that (unlike 3 years ago), Google had decided to extend an offer.
The only thing I remember thinking at that time (somewhere in between the feelings of shock, happiness and a bit of disbelief, still) was that I had finally received an offer from one of my “dream” places. This is something that I had been slowly letting go off after years & years of unsuccessful attempts.
I thanked Valerie for her support throughout this process and told her I was very happy — despite the fact I had been rejected so many times in the past. What she said then is something I’ll never forget (and something that should be of interest to anyone considering joining Google). She said:
“Good! This falls in line with what typically happens at Google: some of the most successful people here never got offers extended to them on their first attempt.”
If you’re reading this and you’re a designer like me who has tried joining Google (or any one of your “dream” companies) at least once before and didn’t make it: know that trying again (and not discouraging yourself from doing so) can make all the difference.
The next step was then to choose a team to be a part of at Google. After speaking to a few hiring managers, I decided to join the Search/Assistant team. I’ll be working primarily on mobile, as I have been for the last few years.
If it isn’t apparent by now, I’m beyond thrilled to embark on this journey. I am looking forward to learning from the very best in the industry; contribute as much as I can with all I have to offer; and help as many other designers (or design-adjacent practitioners) as I start this new chapter of my life.
The last thing I’d like to share here is something I never thought I’d share it publicly, but now I think it’s appropriate.
Right after moving to New York City (my second time) back in 2015, I was walking with my mum in front of Chelsea Market in Manhattan. We had gone there to grab dinner on a hot summer night in late August. On our way out, we came across the Google offices, (which happen to be right in front). The building is hard to miss — specially due to the massive white “Google” sign in the middle of it.
I remember pointing to it and telling her: “Algún día, Ma… Algún día.”
“Seguro que sí….” she said.
She was right.