Google reviews

Role-specific: - Very bureaucratic + lots of red tape when it comes to hiring. As a result, hiring process takes minimum 3 months (usually closer to 4/5 months) for a req to close and the recruiter really can't control this timing much. This makes it hard to keep candidates happy and difficult to meet quarterly goals since making each hire often takes longer than a quarter. - Some hiring managers can be tough to work or exhibit an elitist attitude; hard to convince some to follow inclusive hiring steps since they will have such a clear idea of the "type" of candidate they want. In general: - You really are just a number while working at Google. It's possible to build strong relationships and not feel this during the day to day, but leadership makes it clear. Examples: Lay off method was cold and not based on employee impact or performance. Leadership will remove benefits without warning, such as being able to work remotely. - Upward and internal mobility is extremely difficult. Promos take years and applying for internal roles is very competitive, so make sure you're prepared to stay in the role you're hired into for 3-4 years before even being looked at for mobility.

Google used to be a place of innovation and experimentation. People were encouraged to hack on things, create side projects, propose projects. Now, upper management wants everyone in, "alignment". If you create a side project that benefits thousands of people internally or saves the company money or fixes longstanding bugs you get a gentle pat on the back and zero credit at performance review time. I was laid off without warning. People still at the company will join me for lunch, but are so afraid of being fired that they won't even sign me in to let me pick my things up from my desk. About, "diversity & inclusion", when you have career events for people based on the way they look, that's called, "exclusion".