One brand, one vision

What’s Google talent brand: There are three guiding principles for the Google brand – that it be Unique, True and Compelling. At Google, we don’t have a talent brand that is different from employer brand. We believe that our internal brand, talent brand and the employer (organization) brand are all the same, and, represents what the organization stands for – great people, challenging work, culture of innovation, solving hard problems to make the world a better place.

If I’m the potential recruit, then my beliefs and values should ideally match that of the organization I’m joining. Precisely the reason why we have a rigorous, hiring process, because we want to hire people who have shared values with Google and therefore “walk the talk” is easy when they come into the organization.

I believe that no one joins an organization just for a brand, not anymore. They look for a career and not just a job, specifically if you look at it from a Gen Y perspective. The organization must offer a good platform for an employee’s career growth – challenges to bring the best in them, great colleagues who will be thought partners enabling intellectual sparring, career development (including exciting learning opportunities) and a platform to create impact. Prospective Google aspirants apply to us because they know they can make a career in Google. That is what makes Google an aspirational brand.

The fundamental for a brand is its consistency. If one creates different talent / employer brands in different markets, the plot will be lost. The Google brand is the same globally. In our offices, we balance the country culture with the organization culture. What could change is the approach that you use for talent outreach, which is a function of what the market plays and practices are.

Without doubt, yes; as crucial as ambassadors as the leaders of the organization. At Google, we believe Googlers are the best ambassadors and therefore, every Googler is encouraged to take accountability and act as an owner. One of our core values is that we always want to work with the best people. We want people who are Googley - are up for good challenges, are good general athletes, have strong accountability, can generate ideas, execute them with equal ease and thrive in a fast-paced environment and have fun while doing all this. The Employee Referral programs are often the most successful outreach /hiring channels for an organization. We encourage Googlers to refer friends who are like them or even better.

As told to Anu Babu Kurian; the views expressed are solely that of the individual and not of the company.