Google interviews for non-engineers: preparing for business roles

Introduction: Key points for non-engineers to shine at Google

When many people hear the name Google, they may get the impression that it is an engineer-based company. However, in reality, many people are also active in non-engineering positions such as marketing, sales, business strategy, and planning. As a global IT company, it is true that technology is at the foundation of everything we do, but without the ability to make business proposals and leadership to take advantage of cutting-edge technology, it will be difficult for us to expand our services globally and continue to grow.

This column is mainly aimed at people in their early 30s who are aiming to get a business job at Google by leveraging their experience gained as a planning employee at a Japanese manufacturer.

Even if you don't have a deep understanding of engineering, how to show examples of your actions, how to use numbers to highlight your accomplishments, and how to give an impression of Google's unique culture fit -- we will thoroughly explain how even non-engineers can ace an interview at Google.

Please take this opportunity to take the first step towards becoming a global IT company from a Japanese manufacturer.

What Google looks for in business jobs: Be aware of non-technical perspectives

Although Google has a strong image of engineering, it actually has vast areas other than technology, such as advertising, cloud business, user support, planning and strategy. There are many business positions available, and even non-engineers have a variety of career possibilities.

The important thing is to abandon the belief that you are at a disadvantage because you don't understand engineering, and to firmly recognize your strengths that can contribute to business.

Market understanding and user perspective

Many of Google's business positions involve not only product development itself, but also planning user-centered marketing strategies and expanding service sales. For example, we need perspectives on how to appeal to companies and consumers with Google Ads and YouTube advertising products, and how to deploy cloud services to which industries.

The planning and market analysis skills cultivated at Japanese manufacturers can be directly applied to the ability to read domestic and international trends. However, since Google is expanding its services on a global scale, it is essential to have a broad perspective that includes overseas users and global business trends.

Leadership and collaboration

Google is known for its flat organizational structure. Individual discretion and innovation are valued more than rank, and there is a culture where leadership is expressed through actions, not titles.

If you work in a planning position at a Japanese manufacturer, you will likely have experience in planning new products and promoting projects through collaboration with multiple departments and the supply chain. It is effective to talk about such experiences in anecdotes about how you actually demonstrated leadership and got results by involving those around you. At Google, there are many situations where you collaborate with engineers to advance business initiatives, so be sure to clarify how your leadership style will positively impact your team.

“Action examples” are important because there are few technical questions

For engineering jobs, coding tests and algorithm questions are standard, but for business jobs, there are almost no technical questions. Instead, what is almost always emphasized is past behavior examples. By asking candidates in detail about what kind of situations they acted in, what kind of results they achieved, they are trying to gauge how they would behave if they were placed in a similar situation while working at Google.

Prepare a framework for talking about action examples

STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and PAR (Problem, Action, Result) are often used to answer behavioral examples. The key is to state concisely and specifically “why you did it” and “what influenced the outcome.”

1. Situation (problem/background): What kind of problem or background was there? 2. Task/Problem (goal/role): What role was required of you or the problem you needed to solve? 3. Action (specific action): What method did you use to solve the problem? 4. Result: What was the final result? Can you show the results in numbers?

By using this framework, it will be easier to convey to the interviewer that the process is clear and the anecdote is convincing. For example, if you use the topic of product planning and launch at a Japanese manufacturer, you should be able to emphasize cooperation between departments and achievements that can be measured numerically.

Tips for presentations that show results in numbers

Google is a company that values data-driven decision-making. Even in a business position, you are required to provide objective evidence. When talking about your achievements in an interview, be aware of achievements that can be conveyed in numbers, such as sales, profit margins, and cost reduction rates during the project period.

Also, instead of just listing numbers, you can create consistency by talking about why you were successful and what you did to improve your numbers. This is because Google interviewers are very interested in your "thinking process."

Culture fit unique to Google: How to convey Googleyness

Google values its corporate culture and calls its evaluation point "Googleyness." Rather than simply looking at whether a candidate fits the Google atmosphere, this standard comprehensively evaluates the candidate's desire to constantly create new value, respect for diversity, and user-centered thinking.

Teamwork and respect for diversity

Many Japanese companies have top-down organizations, but at Google, flat communication is the norm. This requires leadership to be demonstrated through actions, not titles. For example, even if you work in a planning position at a Japanese manufacturer, if you have anecdotes about reaching a team consensus as a project leader or achieving win-win results in negotiations with other departments, these will be good evidence to support your Googleyness.

Also, if you have experience in collaborating with overseas bases or working with multinational teams, please feel free to mention it. Google has a diverse workforce, and we value people who can understand and respect each other's backgrounds.

Willingness to create innovation

Even non-engineers can contribute to innovation by coming up with new business measures. For example, if a Japanese manufacturer had the experience of “daringly innovating a process that had traditionally been taken for granted and shortening the lead time to market by 30%,” that would be an example of a “change mindset” that would be welcomed by Google.

Working at Google requires an attitude of always thinking, “Is there a way to make things better?” and “Maybe I can take on new challenges,” rather than accepting the status quo as it is.

Understand industry knowledge and Google's business model

Even for non-engineering positions, basic knowledge such as how Google makes money and what its main products and services are is essential. Especially if you're aiming for a position in marketing, sales, or planning, it's a good idea to have an overview of Google Ads, YouTube ads, Google Cloud, Android-related businesses, etc.

Follow the latest trends related to Google

Google's efforts are extremely wide-ranging, including AI, cloud, advertising, and hardware. Check out overseas media, official blogs, and press releases to find out what projects are currently underway and what kind of impact they are having around the world. When the interviewer asks, “What Google initiatives are you interested in?”, it will make a good impression if you can answer by including the latest examples.

Consider issues with existing services and prepare proposals

Google interviews often ask questions such as "If you were a Google marketer, how would you improve existing services?" What is required here is the ability to discover problems and propose improvement measures based on detailed logic and data. If you respond by making use of the planning process and market analysis techniques you have cultivated at a Japanese manufacturer, and include specific ideas on how you would take this kind of action, your suitability for a business position will be highly evaluated.

Understand the flow of the interview and prepare step by step

Google's hiring process roughly follows the process of application screening → screening interview (phone/online) → on-site interview (multiple rounds) → hiring committee → offer. For engineering jobs, technical exams are the focus, while for business jobs, the emphasis is on behavioral examples, case studies, and presentations that use numbers.

Application screening/screening interview

First, clarify your quantifiable results and specific project results on your resume and work history. The screening interview often functions as a place to confirm your career goals, interest in Google, and a simple view of work. If you clearly demonstrate your cultural fit and logical thinking skills here, it will be easier to get the next on-site interview.

On-site interview/presentation

During multiple on-site interviews (which have been moved online since the coronavirus pandemic), "practical skills" are tested through behavioral interviews, case studies, and even impromptu presentations. For example, your marketing and sales perspective may be tested, such as, “If you were to propose this new service to Japanese manufacturers, what strategy would you develop?” If you regularly practice organizing your thesis in a limited amount of time and explaining it using numbers and evidence, you will be able to respond calmly during the actual presentation.

Practical preparation method to ace the Google interview even if you are not an engineer

Based on the above, we will summarize more specific preparation methods for non-engineers aiming to work at Google. Please use this as a reference, especially for those who need a short-term solution or those who want to organize their issues in a systematic manner before an interview.

Practice analyzing your company's (Google's) issues from an external perspective

Analyzing the services and products provided by Google in your own way and compiling suggestions such as “Improving this area will have an impact” or “There is potential for a new market here” will help you apply it to questions you are suddenly asked in an interview. Based on your experience at a Japanese manufacturer, it will be easier to convey your strengths as a business professional if you think specifically about “what kind of demand there is from a global perspective” and “what kind of alliances and collaborations are possible.”

Develop your “storytelling skills” through mock interviews

When talking about examples of your actions, it is important to structure them in a way that convinces the interviewer as a story, rather than just talking about them in bullet points. – What is the background and problem? – Why do you think it should be solved? – How to implement it – What kind of numerical results did you achieve? – What benefits did the organization and users receive as a result? If you practice this process repeatedly in mock interviews and refine it until you can speak naturally, your impression in the real interview will be very different.

Apply to Google and prepare for an interview at GCAP GOOGLE

At GCAP GOOGLE, we compare the job you are applying for with your past experience and organize what you should convey in your application documents and interview. By verbalizing behavioral examples, constructing answers, and mock interviews, we will prepare you to concretely convey the skills required for your job.

We recommend GCAP PIVOT for those who want to think about where to apply and whether to change jobs, and GCAP ELEVATE for coaching to help you solve challenges in your current job and demonstrate your abilities.

Depending on the period leading up to the interview and your preparation status, you can also discuss last-minute training and spot use. Please check the contents and fees on the GCAP GOOGLE service page.

Summary: There are plenty of opportunities for non-engineers to succeed at Google.

Google, a global IT company, tends to get attention only in the engineering field. However, there are many job openings for non-engineering positions such as marketing, sales, and business strategy, and there are many people who are actually playing an active role with great influence.

There is ample potential to create new value by combining the planning and coordination capabilities cultivated by Japanese manufacturers with global-scale services. The key points are whether you have a thorough understanding of “examples of behavior,” “emphasizing quantitative results,” and “Google's unique culture (Googleyness)” during the interview.

At GCAP GOOGLE, you can compare your past experience with the job you are applying for and consult with us about the necessary application and interview preparation.

Book a free interview now and expand your chances of changing jobs at Google.

Even if you are not an engineer, there are certainly opportunities for you to greatly advance your career at Google. However, since the interview styles and evaluation criteria are very different between Japanese and international companies, it may be difficult to survive in a short period of time unless you take effective measures.

At GCAP GOOGLE, you can compare your past experience with the job you are applying for and consult with us about the necessary application and interview preparation.

First, please have a free interview and tell us about your background, your reasons for wanting to change jobs, and your vision for the future. Our team of professional coaches will clarify the "necessary preparations" and work together to create the shortest route to passing the Google interview.

Author

Global Career Incubator Co., Ltd. CEO Shinichi Ikawa

Biography: Entered the business world after working for the Ministry of Defense (National Class I) and the Australian Ministry of Defence. After working at a major real estate company, he started a real estate venture and experienced management and recruitment at a domestic fund, domestic business company, and overseas tech company before founding our company.

Developed a career accelerator program based on my experience as a corporate manager and hiring manager. We specialize in foreign-affiliated, bilingual, and senior talent, and support individual career advancement and corporate organizational strength and efficiency.