Inside Scoop with Stacey is an ongoing blog series from Stacey Moynahan, Director of MBA Career Management Center (MBA CMC) .  It will feature insider tips for a successful career search, recaps of employer visits, and other happenings relevant to MBA Career Services. To learn more about MBA CMC or to schedule a career consultation, come by Beckman 305 and check out our website.  

On Tuesday, June 26th, MBA CMC Assistant Director Christina Williams I went on a site-visit at Google near Venice Beach, accompanied by four MBA students: Sid Ganji, Sarah Luna, Bryce Ricks and Onur Saltturk.  The visit was hosted by 2010 MBA alumnus Wolfgang Dorfner, working as an OnlineMedia Specialist out of Google’s Dublin office.  Wolfgang frequently travels for business and while he was in town, was gracious enough to give the group a tour and fill them in on what it is like to work for one of America’s most sought-after employers.

Right away, the Google Complex did not disappoint.  Once past the unique reception area where the front desk is built into a giant preserved tree trunk, you enter through a hallway lined with Google doodles from years past.  The inside tour began with the impressive cafeteria giving everyone the feeling of being on a cruise ship, then some outdoor and indoor, colorful multi-purpose areas that can be used for team meetings, solo-work on a laptop, brainstorming, or just catching a fresh air break after being cooped up inside too long.  A visit to a game room (stocked with foosball, a pool table, an old Pac Man console and a complete Rockband setup), a live-action Angry Birds game space and a near360-degree Google Earth kiosk (the biggest wow-factor of the day) left the group wondering if or where any work gets done at the Complex?

They did eventually find out where all of the employees work and sat down with Wolfgang for some insider tips.  The takeaways from the discussion were:

  • Google found Wolfgang on LinkedIn.  Keep your LinkedIn profile updated at all times, be sure to ask for recommendations and connect with new business contacts right when you meet them.
  • Wolfgang was able to nail the interview by talking about what he can bring to the workplace in a very specific way.  Make a niche for yourself.  Hone a very specific skill or gain specific knowledge at work or in school that you can clearly illustrate on your resume, in LinkedIn and speak about in an interview with passion.
  • Google and other similar organizations provide many amenities for their employees but they expect a lot in return.  It isn’t all fun and games.
  • If you want to work at Google or someplace equally awesome and successful, be prepared for friendly competition.  The culture there is one that welcomes new ideas but you won’t be the only employee with an innovative approach.  The idea is not enough.  You must have the courage to act on it and the skills to bring it to fruition.

The morning ended with a delicious lunch in the GoogleCafeteria.  Bright fruits and vegetables, freshly prepared hot dishes and frozen yogurt options promote healthfulness for the employees.  It was a lovely day and a great opportunity for students to get the inside scoop on what is a ‘target company’ for students not only at Chapman but all over the world.

-Stacey Moynahan