Want a Job At Google? Better Know Microsoft Office!

theodp writes "After recent Slashdot discussions on Google's quest to unseat Microsoft Office in business and whether Google Docs and MS-Word are an even matchup, let's complete the trilogy by bringing up the inconvenient truth that numerous Google job postings state that candidates with Microsoft Office expertise are 'preferred' to those lacking these skills. 'For example,' notes GeekWire, 'when hiring an executive compensation analyst to support Google's board, the company will give preference to candidates who are 'proficient with Microsoft Excel."' Parents and kids at schools that have gone or are going Google are reassured that, 'it is more important to teach technology skills than specific programs' and that 'Google itself uses Google Apps to run its multi-billion dollar company.' Which, for the most part, is true. Just don't count on getting certain Google jobs with that attitude, kids!"

Comments

Google Docs is no MS Office

[garcia]

The company I work for uses Google Docs extensively; in fact, we use it so much I wrote SAS scripts to interface with the API so we can easily share datasets in and out of Google Docs. While it's powerful for collaborative work over the Internet, especially with remote resources housed all over the world, it's no replacement for Office.

It doesn't have all the powerful tools Office does, it doesn't format documents the same as Office does (especially importing and exporting--and yes, I realize Office doesn't do all that well version to version), and it doesn't work all that well offline (if at all).

So it's no wonder a corporation dealing with other corporations would require Office knowledge. This is a non-story.

Re:Google Docs is no MS Office

[Anonymous Coward]

This is a non-story.
 
Except for that if this were MS posting jobs with experience in Google Docs being a plus we'd have droves of Google fanbois screaming about "eating their own dog food."
 
Let's face facts, you fanbois scream and shout about so much as a typo in the EULA but if it's someone you favor they could murder baby seals and get away with it as a "non-story." Hypocricy. Pure and simple.

Ever tried editing an Office doc in Google Docs?

[gubon13]

Google can push their own platform all they want internally, but they can't control the format of documents they receive. I've resorted to installing LibreOffice on my personal system to edit/collaborate/modify Office documents before sending them back. Doesn't work so well in Google Docs.

Re:can we mod summary as

[rubycodez]

not at all, it typifies the downward spiral in the Google hiring process as quality of management declines. It's a danger sign for an internet tech company to require a skill in any specific software product rather than interpersonal skills, reasoning, etc.

It really is a dillema to put MS word on a resume

[GoodNewsJimDotCom]

Competent programming teams will look at MS word on your resume and go,"If this guy thinks Office is something special, he must not know a lot."

Corporate HR on the other hand might have struggled to learn MS Office as it is one of the few applications they ever used. They think putting MS Office on a resume is a badge of honor. So if you don't put MS Word on your resume in some corporate places, they think you're not cut out for the job."What this guy doesn't know Office? He must not know much."

This has bugged me for many years as I have a hard time getting interviews. If someone is a programmer, it should be assumed they know how to use most every piece of software they come into contact with. Yet, a lot of HR departments don't get it. It is hard to tell who is competent and who isn't, so the question you ask is,"Do I put the Microsoft Office on my resume?" I've come to the conclusion,"I don't want to be hired by an incompetent organization, so I'll just leave the Microsoft Office off my resume."