Who wants to work at Google?
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 5:18PM Answer = nearly everyone I know in Zurich, coders or not. Recently I was the guest of Rupert my friend who is a webmaster at Google Zurich It just so happened that I was there on the day when the corporate photos were being taken, and so was treated to the full royal tour of all the amazing zones, chill out areas and state of the art work stations, that make it one of the most fun places to work on the planet. If you havent visited Googles offices, you may think I'm making this up. Googlelites have a choice of massage and relaxing treatments, gyms, spanking clean power showers, silent rooms where tropical fish glide silently in giant tanks while your soft black leather recliner massages the knots out of your back. Then when you are fully relaxed and have switched your phone back on, you can drift up to the skybar with arguably the best view of Zurich and have a glass with your Googly friends. 
Am I forgetting the best part, Yes! There is food everywhere, and I mean everywhere! you need never go out for a greasy mac or starbucks rip-off again. Everything appears as if by the hand of a genie. Luxurious bowls dripping with the freshest fruits, succulent grapes, figs, peaches, apples. crunchy bars, home made muffins, choclate bars, ben and jerrys icecream, nuts,healthy crisps,M and M s fruit juices, snappy snaps, cereal, healthbars, green eggs and ham,coffee on tap, and these are just the snacks!! Google Management are just plain smart, why go out? We will bring it all to you.
So you are probably wondering, as I was, there must be sooooooooo much goofing off. Well uuuur, No, I'm told. Each Googlelite has a manager, and if he takes the fall for you, hes gonna tail you. Well thats all good and well.
I was most impressed with the rain forest/jungle room which has rainbow prisms of sunlight and a delicious monster to hide within. In fact that was where we had our meetings, and no I can't tell you what was discussed. You know what is Googles stays inside Google. We also played in the games room and met lots of happy Googlelites playing who were happy to feature in the photos in the said photo shoot. Looking forward to the next occasion, this time Im going to bag me some more of that Ben and Gerrys stuff.
I am checking my wave account right now and my Google calendar to see when I can programme that in.
Update they are looking for webmasters and other specialists above all with other language skills at Google. That CV must be burning in your hands by now! So, because green eggs and ham are much better than spam, send me a mail on my contact sheet on the header with your name and I'll send you the contact email at Google Zurich. Or tweet me and Ill DM it to you. Donna Jackson Social Communications Strategist
Reader Comments (5)
Well...I think that working in such a place it's like...Ideas comes naturally. Food?...everywhere???Are you kidding me? It's like being in a place you want never go out...
The picture of the chocolate as a threat is not enough, I think a photo of the Company would have been better, at least the games room.
Yes I would love to work for Google, working in a cool environment with like minded people who know and understand what you do, sounds like heaven to me.
I am intrigued as to how the work ethic works in a Swiss or more specifically, a Swiss German work environment because in my experience any of this stuff would be frowned upon and would be available but whoa betide you if you actually partake in any of it.
Maybe I've become jaded through years of abusive Swiss German managers, if Google would like to prove me wrong they are welcome to give me a call :-)
Paul
I think they would prove you very wrong Paul in a pleasant way of course.
Well...me. I'd like to work there. Sounds hard but I think if you want to work in such a Big company you must to prove the best of you everyday.
Ok...they treat you good but as a response they want the same from you: work better than good and if you have passion for what you are doing, for who you are working with and at the same time having fun on your workplace...well...everything comes naturally.
It would be something exciting and unrepeatable.
I'd like to express more but certain things are possible to be proven just by doing it.
I've noticed that in SM, everyone is an expert right out of the gate. If conference organizers choose to highlight these people, shame on them. It's fine to have charisma but if you don't have the 'goods; to boot, then, it's a total waste for all involved.