Google May Try To Recruit You For a Job Based On Your Search Queries

HughPickens.com writes: If Google sees that you're searching for specific programming terms, they may ask you to apply for a job as Max Rossett writes that three months ago while working on a project, he Googled "python lambda function list comprehension." The familiar blue links appeared on the search page, and he started to look for the most relevant one. But then something unusual happened. The search results split and folded back to reveal a box that said "You're speaking our language. Up for a challenge?" Clicking on the link took Rossett to a page called "foo.bar" that outlined a programming challenge and gave instructions on how to submit his solution. "I had 48 hours to solve it, and the timer was ticking," writes Rossett. "I had the option to code in Python or Java. I set to work and solved the first problem in a couple hours. Each time I submitted a solution, foo.bar tested my code against five hidden test cases."

After solving another five problems the page gave Rossett the option to submit his contact information and much to his surprise, a recruiter emailed him a couple days later asking for a copy of his resume. Three months after the mysterious invitation appeared, Rossett started at Google. Apparently Google has been using this recruiting tactic for some time.

Comments

Re:Optimizing for technical over people skills

[Anonymous Coward]

over time they will have tons of brilliant engineers that can solve puzzles but can't work with other people or understand user's problems.

I have been an engineer for 30 years, have managed to meet only a handful that are actually brilliant, none of them have had any inkling of being bad at working with other people or understanding user's problem. In fact, their social skills were about where their engineering skills were. Smart is smart. Stop believing childish myths.

Re:Time investment

[Kjella]

Curious: what prompted Max Rossett to spend hours solving programming puzzles before being even given the opportunity to submit contact information for a job consideration?

This may be news to you, but many people will take on a challenge just because it's a challenge like climbing a mountain only to climb back down. Particularly if you think it would impress someone you'd like to impress. And unless you think Google has an odd way of providing entertainment, it should be pretty obvious they want to find someone who can solve those puzzles. If a company is looking for your competence, well then add 2+2 (no, that won't qualify you for a position at Google) about what might come next. And if not a job offer, then probably some kind of PR stunt price. Whatever it is, would it be rational to think at the end of it all they're going to say "Hope you enjoyed the challenge, have a nice day!" and nothing more?

Re:too cool for google

[rubycodez]

Silly, you need to be hitting google.co.jp when you do that, and using kanji

Time Management

[PPH]

Person is researching python lambda function list comprehension for a programming project. Gets sidetracked for a couple of hours by popup puzzles.

Yep. This is the employee we want.