Who do you want to be when you grow up? That’s a question we get asked a lot when we are younger. We dream big and our answers clearly indicate that. We say we want to be the president, an astronaut, an inventor, a famous fashion designer… or work at Google.
However, with age our dreams tend to get smaller. We tend to think our dreams are not really achievable and we should stick to what is familiar and gives us stability. But what if we told you… dreaming big & stability go hand in hand? That having a stable job in one of the biggest and most prestigious companies in the world is actually more achievable than you think?
Today we are here to help you believe that! We interviewed Google, one of the biggest companies in the world, to provide you guidance and share tips that may help you get a new job abroad in the Sales Department at Google’s headquarters in Dublin!
Writing Your Google Story – How to Build a Resume that Stands Out?
Europe Language Jobs: The first step to get a new job is the CV. Building a strong CV for such a big organization can be an intimidating task. Do you have any pieces of advice for our candidates that will make writing a resume easier?
Google: At Google, we’re always looking for the next generation of Googlers who are ready to solve big problems and drive meaningful impact. For our sales and business development teams, that means finding people who don’t just hit targets, but redefine them.
Your resume is our first look into your career journey. It’s more than a list of jobs; it’s a data-driven narrative of your impact. If you’re looking to join Google, here is how to build a CV that captures our attention:
1. Update and align your resume to the job you’re applying for.
We don't recommend using a "one-size-fits-all" resume. Instead of re-using a resume, make a copy, and align it specifically to the job you’re applying for. Look at the job description like a map. What are the key challenges? What does success look like for this specific team? If you’re applying for a Large Customer Sales role (link to the job), your resume should look different than if you’re applying for a Cloud Sales role. Directly tie your skills and experience to the role qualifications. Design your resume for the job you want today, not the one you had five years ago.
2. The Golden Rule: Use the X-Y-Z Formula
This is the most important piece of advice we can give. Google loves data. Instead of listing your responsibilities, focus on your accomplishments using this specific formula:
“Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z].”
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The "Okay" version: "I sold advertising software to mid-market clients."
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The Google version: "Exceeded annual sales quota by 15% ($1.2M total) as measured by CRM tracking, by implementing a new multi-channel prospecting strategy and shortening the sales cycle by 10 days."
By focusing on the outcome (X), the metric (Y), and the action (Z), you show us exactly how you contribute to a company’s bottom line.
3. Clear the "Minimum Qualifications" Hurdle
Every role at Google has a set of Minimum Qualifications (MQs). These are the "must-haves" for the position. Before you hit submit, double-check that your resume clearly demonstrates that you meet these requirements. If a role requires five years of relationship management experience, ensure those years (and that specific skill) are easy to find in your CV.
4. Detail Your Scope and Leadership
Sales is often a team game. If you’ve held a leadership role (whether as a formal manager or a lead on a high-stakes project) we want to know the "scale."
How large was the team you managed? What was the geographic scope of your territory? What was the total revenue responsibility? Understanding the complexity of the environments you’ve worked in helps us visualize how you’ll navigate the scale of Google.
5. Keep it Simple, Succinct, and Skimmable
You don’t need fancy graphics, photos, or complex layouts to stand out. In fact, a clean, white-space-friendly document is much easier for our recruiters (and our systems) to read.
● Keep it short: Be clear and succinct. We don’t have a strict length requirement, but brevity is a skill in itself.
● New Grads: If you’re just starting out, lead with your relevant coursework, internships, or school projects that demonstrate a drive for results.
Europe Language Jobs: These tips will definitely help build a strong CV that stands out. Should our candidates also prepare a cover letter?
Google: We get asked this a lot: do I really need a cover letter? At Google, we don’t require them. We’d much rather you spend that extra hour perfecting your resume and refining your "X-Y-Z" bullets. However, if you do decide to include one, keep it focused. Draw a direct line between your passion for our mission and the specific impact you can make in the role.
Europe Language Jobs: Is there a general best practice candidates should follow?
Google: We want to see the "why" and the "how" behind your "what." By focusing on data, tailoring your experience, and highlighting your unique impact, you’re not just submitting a resume - you’re showing us how you’ll help us build the future.
It’s important to remember that most Googlers applied for other roles at our company before they made it to the interview stage. Not getting a role can often be a matter of bad timing and not a reflection of your qualifications for a certain role. Don’t let one rejection prevent you from applying to other roles in the future.
Europe Language Jobs: Assuming our CV stood out to recruiters at Google – what are the next steps we need to take to finish the process and how long does it take?
Google: The recruitment processes may differ slightly depending on the team or the role – but the basics stay the same. We can expect it to take roughly 6-8 weeks. No need to worry about being ghosted by a recruiter – one of them will be in touch with you along the way to explain the next steps.
Europe Language Jobs: Can you tell us more about the stages of the recruitment process?
Google: Before proper interviews you will be probably asked to take the Google Hiring Assessment that will measure skills required for success in a role with us.
You will also have one or two short phone or video calls with your recruiter. These are organized to assess key skills you’ll need for the role and you’ll be given an opportunity to ask questions.
Next, we’ll probably ask you to complete a small project prior to the interviews – one example of the task can be a case study that will help us understand how you think and approach problems.
Europe Language Jobs: What about the job interview?
Google: We take interviewing seriously and aim to create a welcoming experience. You’ll typically meet with multiple interviewers, either virtually or in person. Our goal is to understand your skills and determine whether the role is the right fit for both you and the team.
What to expect:
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Structured interviewing: All candidates are assessed using the same clear criteria to ensure a fair and balanced process.
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Role-focused questions: These include open-ended questions about your experience, problem-solving approach, teamwork, and strengths – we want to understand how your mind works.
If you require accommodations, our Recruiting team will work with you to provide appropriate support, such as interpreters, specialized equipment, additional time, or breaks.
Remember, AI tools are not permitted during interviews. We ask candidates to participate independently and authentically.
Last but not least, if you have any questions or feedback, your recruiter is available to guide and support you throughout the whole process – there is no bad time when it comes to asking questions.
You can find more job interview tips on Google's careers page.
Europe Language Jobs: Google is famous for its extensive benefits. Can you give us some examples?
Google: At Google, benefits are designed to support both your career and your life beyond work. Alongside competitive compensation, employees receive comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for themselves and their dependents. Wellbeing is built into the experience, with onsite wellness centers, fitness facilities, massage programs, ergonomic support, and nourishing meals and snacks available throughout the day. Flexibility also matters — with four “work from anywhere” weeks each year, you can change up your surroundings while staying connected.
We support growth and long-term success. Educational reimbursement helps you keep learning, while regular bonus and equity refresh opportunities reward your effort. We believe that life doesn’t stop at work, that's why we offer generous parental leave, baby bonding time, fertility and family-building support to ensure you’re covered during some of life’s biggest moments. Add in our modern offices designed for collaboration and creativity, and you have an environment built to help you thrive — personally and professionally.
We hope this article will make your application process easier and you’ll be able to create a resume that stands out. Remember, don’t let one rejection stop you from getting your dream job!
Once you have your CV that stands out - apply for jobs at Google.