Written by The OtterCV Team
Very few people could have predicted Google’s scale of growth twenty years ago, much less its rise as one of the world’s top employers.
But how does someone become a Googler?
For many, Google’s recruitment process remains a mystery. In fact, the company’s approach to bringing in new people reflects its motto:
“Our mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”
Although Google’s hiring process is rigorous, there are many steps designed to make sure your voice is heard and that you have a real chance at the role you applied for.
To prepare, focus on three essentials:
Yes, interviews. There will likely be several, often on the same day.
If that sounds intimidating, don’t worry—we’re here to help.
Keep reading to learn how to build your resume and set yourself up for success.
“The No. 1 thing you want to be thinking about is telling your story — not just your work experience, but also what you’ve learned and the accomplishments you’re most proud of.”
—Brendan Castle, former Global Head of Recruiting at Google
Everyone has a story to tell, but what sets it apart is how you frame it.
Simply listing achievements and awards is not enough. Recruiters want to understand what motivates you, what drives you forward, and what you care about. A narrative that shows how you have handled professional and personal challenges is far more compelling.
Google is committed to being an equal opportunity workplace, so do not hold yourself back because of who you are or past criminal mistakes. Nobody’s life is picture-perfect, and it does not need to be. If you have the drive and prepare well, the opportunity is there to pursue.
A good place to start is Google’s career search tool. You can filter roles by:
Whatever approach you take, focus on positions you are genuinely passionate about. You can save a broad list of roles, but you can only apply for 3 jobs every 30 days.
For your resume format, most common layouts are acceptable as long as they highlight your strengths. Google recruiters prefer the reverse-chronological format.
If you are a college graduate or have limited experience, there is some flexibility. You can keep the traditional structure while adjusting the order of your resume sections, aside from the header, to present your strongest achievements first.
If you are more experienced, start with your most recent and most relevant experience. Avoid going back more than a decade unless it is absolutely necessary.
Resume length also matters. For business roles, Google suggests keeping your resume to one page. For technical and engineering roles, up to two pages is acceptable.
Above all, aim for brevity and impact. If you are applying to multiple roles, tailor each resume to the specific position instead of using the same version everywhere.
If you are a recent graduate, or expect to graduate soon, begin with your academic accomplishments. Keep fonts and sizing consistent throughout, and use black or another dark, readable ink color.
You’ll find more information on Google’s formatting preferences throughout this article.
With all this in mind, which sections should feature on your resume?
What about the resume summary? It’s optional. Some resumes can be just as strong without one, depending on your circumstances.
We’ll return to that later in this guide. For now, focus on what to consider before you begin.
Google emphasizes doing thorough research, including some introspective thinking.
Why? Because brevity and impact matter. To achieve both, you need to be able to convey your story concisely.
How do you do that? Consider the questions in the table below:
Think of this as an exercise in finding your calling in life.
Once you’ve checked that everything is correct and free of typos, save your resume as a PDF file.
It’s also a good idea to follow up with the hiring manager on LinkedIn. Thank them for their consideration and explain why this job matters to you.
Then prepare for the interview process, which may include:
This section is simple to complete, but it’s the first thing hiring managers see when they review your resume.
That makes accuracy important. Recruiters notice typos, missing details, and broken links right away.
Make sure your resume header includes all of your contact information and that your portfolio links work properly.
Include your:
Take a look at the samples below.
Resume layout can vary by region. For example, Canadian resumes may use a distinct format.
This header looks acceptable, but it could be much stronger.
The main issue is that the details are incomplete. For example, Travone’s job title is too vague. There are many kinds of engineers, so he should be more specific. In Google’s case, readers may assume he means software engineer, but listing only “engineer” looks imprecise.
There is also no phone number, and the address is incomplete. Be sure to include your location, even if you are applying for a remote role or currently working in one. Omitting that information can create legal or technical complications if anything goes wrong.
If Travone is targeting an engineering role, his LinkedIn profile, while professional, is not the most relevant link to feature. It would be better to include a GitHub or Kaggle profile instead. Google technical recruiters want to see your portfolio and how you think while building software. Google also values contributions to the open-source community.
One more thing to consider is your programming languages. List them in the header opposite your contact details. You do not need to explain them in depth at this stage, but you should be prepared to interview on them later.
Here is what a better version of Travone’s header box would look like:
In most cases, you can leave this section out. If you are a seasoned specialist in your field, you may not need a summary at all.
Depending on your situation, your resume may include either a summary or an objective.
A summary is typically used by professionals with extensive experience in their field. By contrast, resume objectives are usually for college graduates and people changing careers.
The main difference is simple: summaries focus on experience, while objectives emphasize motivation and relevant skills.
If you still want to include one, make sure the summary is relevant to the job. It can become one of the strongest parts of your resume, but it should not repeat facts and details already covered elsewhere.
A good summary also gives you room to show the enthusiasm the company expects from a future Googler.
Here is what it may look like:
Notice how both the candidate and the company are addressed. The applicant shows how she can benefit her future employer while also making clear where her interests and passions lie.
Need more tips on summaries and objectives? Read our advice on how to write a stellar resume summary.
You may have heard this advice before, but even Google says to look at the job ad. The duties listed there offer strong clues about the kind of person recruiters want.
See whether the position truly resonates with you. Ask yourself:
If you’re applying for a technical position, show how you engage with your community. Participation in any of the following can help you stand out:
What about recent grads?
Former Global Head of Recruiting at Google had this to say:
“For recent college graduates, Castle suggests highlighting recent academic research, tutoring, student group experience, or class projects. More seasoned candidates, he adds, should use metrics and concise examples to show the impact of their work.”
—Brendan Castle, former Global Head of Recruiting at Google
With this in mind, Google says data is all you need to provide context for your work. Avoid explaining your duties and responsibilities. Instead, share achievements.
Why?
“Here at Google, we’re always looking at data. So when you describe something you’ve accomplished, try to include data that shows the impact you made and how it connects to the role you want.”
—Google Careers Resume Tips and Advice Video
Google suggests using the XYZ method to show the impact of your work.
What is it? It is a simple way to frame achievements using this template: “Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z].”
For example: “Boosted employee satisfaction rates by 45% by introducing a 3-day mental health leave program at the office.”
Always begin your sentence with an action word. This makes your accomplishments stand out, highlights the impact of your actions, and keeps your writing concise.
Also pay attention to how much space your experience section takes. Since it should make up the bulk of your resume, follow these rules:
These rules may seem strict, but they make Google resumes more readable and easier to scan.
Let’s see what this looks like in action.
Going back to Travone’s resume, his first draft isn’t very impressive because it reads more like a set of short notes than a finished resume.
There are a few key mistakes:
What would make this experience entry stand out more? Apply all the rules we’ve talked about.
Have a look at the example below:
Infinitely better, wouldn’t you agree?
But what about the techies? We’ve got you.
Check out our experience samples for the Software Engineer and Business Analyst roles.
Google recruiters often prefer to combine the following into one section:
They call this the Leadership and Awards section.
It can include:
This approach helps hiring managers see a more well-rounded story. You are the sum of your interests, goals, skills, experiences, and failure, and each part helps explain how your professional life has taken shape so far.
Many candidates may have a similar skill set, but no two are exactly alike because their life experiences are different.
So how can you make the skills section stand out? Keep reading.
This part can be either very easy or a complete nightmare, depending on the position you’re applying for.
If you’re a techie, the hard skills section should be straightforward. If you have skills that are not already mentioned in your work experience, include them here.
This is also a good place to mention side projects and other interests. Remember, you’re telling both your professional and life story.
Keep everything relevant to the job, and connect your skills to specific outcomes by leading with numbers, just as you would in the experience section.
So, which abilities are trending for technical specialists and engineers?
Don’t worry—we haven’t forgotten about non-technical experts.
Here are some of the key skills for marketing specialists at Google:
Many people find this even harder than describing their technical expertise. But if you follow Google’s XYZ formula, you can present your soft skills clearly and effectively.
What does that look like in practice? See the table below.
Each ability should connect to a specific outcome, which is why introspection and research matter. If you keep track of your projects and their impact, you’ll be ready to present your skills effectively.
Before listing any skills on your resume:
Be sure to balance your soft and hard skills, no matter which position you’re targeting. Although Google employs many ML and AI specialists, none of them are robots, so you shouldn’t emphasize one side of your professional profile at the expense of the other.
That’s why soft skills are important to include on your resume.
Here are some suggestions for trending social skills for Googlers:
All post-secondary institutions you have attended
All degrees and majors you have studied
Cover letter
Association memberships, especially if you have held leadership positions
Publications, patents, papers, conference presentations, and similar work
Outstanding or popular side projects
Involvement in student groups or societies
Carefully read the job ad before you start writing
Use the reverse-chronological resume format, but feel free to rearrange sections
If you are a techie, include the programming languages you know in the header
If you are a recent grad, write a strong resume objective to showcase your talents
When describing your work experience, use the XYZ method to create impact
After finishing your first draft, proofread for typos and formatting errors
Do not forget to follow up with the hiring manager after submitting your resume
Explore additional Google resume samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
Explore additional Google resume samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.