Year in Review: Google Lit
It comes as no surprise to those who know that I work in tech that Google fascinates me. As I've moved into HR/Recruiting, understanding how tech company pioneers like Google do what they do (and how they do it well) has become even more important.
Are you Smart Enough to Work at Google? (William Poundstone, 2012)
How I stumbled upon it: On a front table in the business section of Barnes and Noble.
What it's about: It's basically a mix of interviewing strategy and psychology mixed with Google history. The book is constructed of chapters with questions at the end that link to an answers section in the back of the book. The answers section is very in-depth and does a good job of explaining what answers would be considered good and why. Beware, many of the questions rely on logical and analytical thinking (as well as a love for story problems).
What I thought: I'm not smart enough to work anywhere. Jokes! A lot of the questions are very heavily skewed toward the types of engineering interviews that tech companies often conduct and as much as I tried, sitting in bed estimating how many golf balls will fit in a school bus is not my favorite pastime. I did appreciate being challenged to think in a different way (the same way Guesstimation challenged me a few years back), but skip this book if you are looking for concrete answers on whether Google would actually hire you. ;)
You can get it here.
How Google Works (Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, 2014)
How I stumbled upon it: While perusing the bargain section at Barnes + Noble (Sorry Eric, Sorry Jonathan).
What it's about: Written by Google's former CEO SVP of Product, "How Google Works" dives into the actual day-to-day management of the company. It includes great lessons for scaling an org all while giving a sneak peek into actual stories from life at Google. It's a broad brush of Google culture and history but it's an entertaining and quick read.
What I thought: If you are curious about how Google grew and how they operate today, look no further. (ie: If you are as nosy as me you will enjoy).
You can get it here.
Work Rules! (Lazlo Bock, 2015)
How I stumbled upon it: My boss recommended this as a must-read after moving to the People Team
What it's about: Written by Google's head of People Operations, this was the most relevant book of the three in my actual day-to-day work. Bock provides a blueprint for how a company should treat it's employees, actionable ways that management and employees can better interact, and details initiatives that have (and have not worked) for Google.
What I thought: Bock is witty without being cheesy and this was easily my favorite of the three reads. You don't have to work in tech to appreciate the lessons he imparts.
You can get it here.
