No luck getting your foot in the door at Google? A simple Web search could help. At least, that's how Max Rosett landed a software engineer position at the tech giant.
Working as a data scientist at start-up ApartmentList.com and earning a Master's degree in computer science through Georgia Tech, Rosett was itching for a change. He just didn't expect one of the world's largest tech companies to scratch that itch.
In an article he penned for The Hustle, Rosett recalls an innocent Google search session that turned into a new career.
While Googling the programming phrase "python lambda function list comprehension," he clicked the most relevant available link. But instead of being directed to a new site, "something unusual happened."
"The search results split and folded back to reveal a box that said 'You're speaking our language. Up for a challenge?'" Rosett wrote. "I stared at the screen. What? After a moment, I decided yes, I was most definitely up for a challenge."
The next page, called foo.bar, catered to the budding software engineer in him, so he typed a few commands, and was greeted with a screen displaying a programming challenge and instructions on how to submit the solution.
"I had 48 hours to solve it, and the timer was ticking," Rosett said.
Each time he submitted a solution, foo.bar tested the code against hidden test cases, then allowed Rosett, now a potential hire, to submit and request a new challenge. Over two weeks, he solved five more problems.
After the sixth, he was prompted to submit his contact information; days later, a Google recruiter emailed asking for a copy of his resume. A trip to the company's Mountain View headquarters marked the first time, Rosett said, that he felt confident he wasn't "a victim of an elaborate prank." A couple of weeks later, he was offered a job.
Praising his new employer, Rosett called the foo.bar recruiting tactic "brilliant," adding that Google made him "feel important" while respecting his privacy.
Three months after the mysterious invitation appeared, Rosett started his new job at Google.
"Overall, I enjoyed the puzzles that they gave me to solve, and I'm excited for my first day as a Googler," he wrote on Monday.
Rosett's experience is not unique: Last year, a Hacker News user posted a similar account, suggesting that the process is "long," and the rejection rate "really high."
Google has never confirmed the test is a recruiting tool. When asked about Rosett's experience, the company emailed the following statement to PCMag:
"\u0050\u0075\u007a\u007a\u006c\u0065\u0073\u0020\
u0061\u0072\u0065\u0020\u0066\u0075\u006e\u002e\
u0020\u0053\u0065\u0061\
u0072\u0063\u0068\u0020\u006f\u006e\u002e"
The message, according to Re/code, translates to: "Puzzles are fun. Search on."
For more information visit: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2490211,00.asp
Source: pcmag.com
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