Welcome to the latest edition of “My Path to Google,” where we talk to Googlers, interns and alumni about how they got to Google, what they do in their roles and how they prepared for their interviews.

Today’s post is all about Grant Bennett, a Human Resource Associate working remotely from North Carolina, and his passion for driving equity and inclusivity both in and outside of Google.

What do you do at Google?

I’m in Google’s Human Resources Associate program, a two-year rotational program for recent college graduates. Now in my second and final rotation, I work as an Operations and Analytics Specialist on the Retention and Progression team. I help analyze and share insights to improve Googlers’ experiences.

What’s your typical workday like?

I’ve been working remotely from North Carolina since I started at Google in 2020. My day usually begins with a morning workout and some dedicated reading time. Once I log in to work, I check emails, create my to-do list and take data science skills training. The rest of my day is spent jumping in and out of meetings with teammates and consultants, working through data and generating reports for my team.

Can you tell us a bit more about your background?

I grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina. My father served in the military and my mother is an educator at our local community college. Baseball was my favorite activity as a kid. One time when I was practicing in downtown Fayetteville, a director asked me to make a cameo in a music video for the rapper J.Cole (which I eagerly accepted). I met J.Cole again years later, and we talked about the importance of branching out and having new experiences. That conversation inspired me to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). I enrolled at Morehouse College, the only all-male HBCU in the United States, on a baseball and academic scholarship. I studied psychology and got really involved in campus life. Through these experiences, I found my passion for social impact and research.

What’s your daily source of inspiration?

I’m inspired that Google continues to work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace, and I’m excited to take on projects connected to our HBCU commitments. I’m passionate about this work, because I understand the value of investing in communities that have been historically under-resourced and excluded.

Are you working on any projects outside of work?

I’m the Founder and Executive Director of The Two-Six Project, a nonprofit organization helping to develop leaders from marginalized communities. We provide funding, leadership development training and scholarships to youth athletic organizations in the Fayetteville area. Thanks in part to the generous support of individual Googlers during our holiday giving campaign, The Two-Six Project recently hosted its second annual “Christmas Giveback” event and provided food, toys and winter clothing to over 2,000 people. The success of this event led to a feature in Forbes Magazine and my participation on a panel about equity, moderated by Former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

How did you prepare for your Google interviews?

I really studied my resumé to help me tell my career story and quantify my impact. I also researched behavioral-based questions — “tell me about a time you…” — and asked close friends to conduct mock interviews.

What advice would you give to your past self?

I would remind myself that my perspective is valuable. Coming from an HBCU, you may feel a sense of imposter syndrome or self-doubt when going through the hiring process. But it’s important to remember that your unique experience helps you impact the world in your own way. I would tell myself to trust the path that got me here, and to focus on showing why I would be a good fit for the role.

Any tips for aspiring Googlers?

No matter what, be authentic. Google is a melting pot of diverse people, so know that you will add just as much value to the company as it will add to your professional growth. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, be intentional with your energy and build healthy habits around networking.

Welcome to the latest edition of “My Path to Google,” where we talk to Googlers, interns and alumni about how they got to Google, what their roles are like and even some tips on how to prepare for interviews.

Today’s post is all about Divya Gonnabathula, a Client Success Acceleration manager based in Hyderabad, India who’s always gravitated toward new experiences — including here at Google!

What do you do at Google?

I’m a Client Success Acceleration manager leading a team of digital marketing strategists. We collaborate with sales teams in the UK to help our customers succeed using Google Ads. As a manager, I also make sure I spend time with my reports in team and individual meetings — I’m passionate about leading with respect.

What’s something about you that might surprise us?

I consider myself a nomad. Over the years, I’ve lived in many different parts of India. I was born in Vijayawada, went to school in Kolkata, attended college in Bhubaneswar and worked in many cities around the country. Thanks to these experiences, I can easily connect with people from different cultural backgrounds and have a keen interest in languages — I speak six and I’m picking up a seventh!

Why did you apply to Google?

Like so many others, Google’s products and services are part of my daily routine. I can’t imagine a day without searching for things online, watching YouTube or checking emails. The opportunity to create such impact at scale inspired me to look for open roles on the Google Careers website. Once I found one that matched my career goals, I applied.

What was the journey to your current role like?

I’m a sales and marketing professional, and I’ve spent most of my career in the Indian consumer goods industry. A few years ago, I jumped to consumer tech — which led me to Google. By the time I started, I was eight months pregnant. Joining a new organization always comes with a lot of change — but the thought of going on maternity leave in just one month, combined with onboarding remotely, was pretty overwhelming. Luckily, Google made things easy. My recruiter, manager and onboarding “buddy” helped me ease into the company, creating a custom onboarding plan and encouraging me to build a support network on my team.

How did you prepare for your interviews?

I started by brainstorming questions the interviewer might ask and practicing my responses. I also reflected on my previous roles, including my strengths, management experiences and leadership philosophies. I brushed up on my knowledge of Google Ads products, too.

What’s one of your favorite things about working at Google?

My teammates! The opportunity to work with some of the greatest minds in the industry is a very big motivator, because I believe we learn so much from the people around us. In order to bring my best self to work, it’s important that I have colleagues and managers who inspire me.

Any advice for your past self?

Don’t doubt yourself. I was in a marketing role when I applied for this sales position at Google, so I was worried that I wouldn’t be a good fit. But I realized through the hiring process that having diverse skills and experiences is actually really valuable.

Any tips for aspiring Googlers?

Throughout my Google interview process, I was determined to be myself. I made sure to show my personality in all of my interviews and approached them as candid conversations with future colleagues and managers. This gave me a better understanding of what I was signing up for, and helped my interviewers see how I would really fit into the role.

Welcome to the latest edition of “My Path to Google,” where we talk to Googlers, interns and alumni about how they got to Google, what their roles are like and even some tips on how to prepare for interviews.

Today’s post is all about Chai Madan, a Google Cloud consultant in our Singapore office, who is passionate about making a difference through her work.

What do you do at Google?

As a Google Cloud consultant in Singapore, I work on infrastructure and security projects with some of Google Cloud’s customers in Southeast Asia. I love partnering with enthusiastic customers who want to change the world through their business, and seeing the impact of our work on everyday life — from booking a cab here in Singapore to ordering gifts for my parents online. Cloud computing is making this possible, which is why I’m proud to do this work.

Can you tell us more about yourself?

I’m Malayalee and was raised in Dubai until I was 17 years old, when I moved to India to enroll in university. When I’m not working, I’m most likely having fun with friends and family, fitness training, listening to podcasts, exploring restaurants or traveling around the world (at least, before the pandemic).

Why were you interested in this role?

Throughout my career, I’ve gravitated towards new and exciting areas in the tech industry. This includes the cloud computing space, which is where most businesses around the world are heading. And now, in keeping with my personal mantra of “dream big and dare to fail,” I'm starting a new role on Google Cloud’s Digital Natives team, where I'll help businesses with their digital transformation programs. I can't wait to use my skills and experience to make an impact with those customers, and I’m excited for the challenge.

What’s your daily source of inspiration?

I’m inspired by the fact that I enjoy my work. Particularly, I enjoy seeing and experiencing our impact in action. Outside of my core role, I also like participating in our fun work events. Last year, my daughter joined me for Google’s virtual Take Your Child to Work Day and won prizes for designing her own Google Doodle and making a Google-themed snack at home.

What was your application and interview process like?

I applied directly on the Google Careers website and heard back from a recruiter shortly afterward, who asked to set up a phone call. I remember thinking “It’s just a first round with the recruiter,” so I didn’t prepare much — gee, was I in for a surprise! My recruiter knew the requirements for the role and conducted a mini interview. I was a little stunned, but she ultimately helped me see that I had what it took to succeed. I had never felt so supported during an interview before. I would encourage anyone interested in exploring roles at Google to apply without hesitation!

Any advice for aspiring Googlers?

Have a strategy, but be open to tweaking it along the way. You will make mistakes, but you can learn from them. Once your interview is scheduled, practice, practice, practice. Write things down and do mock interviews. And finally, don't wait for a job description to be a 100% match. As long as you are passionate about the role and feel like you can get the hang of it, apply and make your mark!

Welcome to the latest edition of “My Path to Google,” where we talk to Googlers, interns and alumni about how they got to Google, what their roles are like and even some tips on how to prepare for interviews.

Today’s post is all about Ernesto Gutierrez — a Partner Development Manager in our Mexico City office — and the obstacles he overcame on his journey to Google.

What’s your role at Google?

As an ISV Partner Development Manager at Google Cloud, I am responsible for opening the ISV (Independent Software Vendors) area in Mexico. Our goal is to help these software vendors use the Google Cloud Platform, and I help them do this. One of the things I really enjoy about this role is that I get to meet and promote so many passionate partners throughout the region.

What’s your typical work day like?

In the morning, I check my schedule to see what adventures await me throughout the day. I then wake up my 4-year-old twins — my motivation and the reason for everything I do. Together, we head to my home office, where they occasionally join in on my meetings throughout the day. These meetings are often with my partners to review our progress and identify challenges. Each partner has a very particular vision of the future and the strategy we need to get there — I learn a lot from them. I also meet with my manager to go over what I’ve learned and the way I think we should move forward. Last, I devote time to closing out pending issues and planning my next day. I spend the rest of my evening in my most important role — having fun and laughing with my twins.

What was your path to this role like?

Since I was a student, I dreamed of working at Google. However, I feared I lacked the professional experience needed to apply, so I didn't until I received an email from a Google recruiter. During my interviews I focused on just being myself — and I got an offer.

When I joined Google, I became Partner Manager for large agencies in Latin America and was responsible for promoting the use of data driven marketing. I was constantly learning new things. Around this time, I realized that the future is cloud computing, so I decided to make the change to my current role. While I didn’t have much experience with Google Cloud before, I am grateful for the ample opportunity I was given to grow into this role.

What resources did you use to prepare for your interview?

I prepared a lot for my interviews. I started by researching and reading everything I could find about Google’s Marketing Platform until I understood very well where the company was going. I also studied other companies in this space, which gave me a lot of clarity around how the same industry objective can be approached from different perspectives. Once I learned all of this information, I organized my thoughts around my own career. I reread the success stories from what I developed or participated in and I practiced articulating how my focus on innovation could add to Google's objectives. I also spoke with people who worked in companies similar to Google to measure my knowledge and test answers to possible complex questions. And finally, the support and trust of my family before and after each interview helped me get here.

Any tips for aspiring Googlers?

Be your true self, and don’t be afraid to apply because you feel inadequate. Google looks for people capable of learning and problem-solving over people who have complete technical mastery. After you apply, be sure to prepare for the interview so you are able to confidently speak about yourself and your experiences.

What’s something people might not know about you?

I was born with a cleft lip, a condition that required seven surgeries, years of speech therapy and counseling to cope with the bullying. This condition made it difficult for me to speak publicly and socialize. But my mother challenged me to have big aspirations — she pushed me to dream big regardless.

Today I’m an Ambassador of the Smile Train Foundation, an organization helping children born with cleft palates and lips. I’m committed to inspiring these children that they can achieve any dream they set their minds to. I am extremely grateful for everything I have.

What advice do you have for your past self?

Never be afraid to express when I don’t know, and never try to hide my cleft lip and palate. Acknowledge that if I don’t know how to do something today, I can learn it tomorrow.

Welcome to the latest edition of “My Path to Google,” where we talk to Googlers, interns and alumni about how they got to Google, what their roles are like and even some tips on how to prepare for interviews.

Today’s post is all about Jennifer Jones, a recruiter from our Atlanta office, who originally wanted to be an elementary school teacher and shares her journey from studying education to recruiting engineering talent.

What’s your role at Google?

I am an Early Careers Software Engineer Recruiter at Google. I work specifically with candidates looking to start their software engineering careers with us.

I tell all of my candidates to think of me as their coach, and that my job is to help them get to the finish line. I love how I can incorporate so much of my personality into my position, while tailoring each experience to what my candidates need. It's an honor to be part of such an important decision in their lives.

How did you get into recruiting?

My path to recruiting (and Google) has been a unique one for sure. I had no intention of becoming a recruiter — I stumbled into this career. But ever since I found this role, where I can be myself and help others at the same time, I have been obsessed with what I do.

After graduating high school, I went to Temple University in Philadelphia for a year and a half with the hopes of becoming an elementary teacher. But the more I attended classes, the more I knew it wasn't for me, and I decided not to pursue a college degree. I went back home to New Jersey and started working in retail, which led to account management and eventually recruiting.

I first applied to Google in 2015 and made it to the onsite interview, but I didn’t get to the offer stage. In 2017, I took a contract recruiting job working out of Google’s Austin, Texas office. From the moment I walked through the doors, I knew I belonged there. When my contract ended, I went another direction — but Google always stayed top of mind. There was no other place like it for me.

This past year, I applied again for a full time role at Google. Imposter syndrome and negative thoughts were definitely creeping in. "I don't have a degree, can I really do this?" "What if I have to move, do I really want to do it?" But I applied anyway and got the job!

What inspires you to come in (or log in) every day?

I love how liberated I feel in my position. My manager trusts me to execute my work, but she is always there if I need her.

Google also has some of the most incredible people, and it's amazing to work with change makers and innovators. It's such a collaborative environment and a place where I’m comfortable bringing my whole self to work each day.

What was the interview process like for you?

My recruiter prepared me for my onsite interviews in a way that I had never experienced before. Each step of the way, he shared updates — even on weekends. I'll never forget, I was walking out of my local grocery store when I saw his email that I had passed my onsite interviews. I cried right there in the parking lot! It was such an incredible feeling.

Can you share some of the resources you used to prepare for your interviews?

I treated my interview prep like a part-time job. I spent time writing down everything I had accomplished and scenarios that I wanted to mention in my responses. I searched for "hypothetical interview questions" and "behavioral interview questions," and practiced answering using the S.T.A.R. method. All of this helped me feel comfortable when it came time to interview.

Do you have any tips for aspiring Googlers?

Don't give up. I interviewed three times over the course of six years before I became a Googler. There were so many times that I almost talked myself out of applying. If I listened, I wouldn’t be here! Learning to quiet the negative voices and think positive thoughts helped tremendously.