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Practice-based learning is a key way in which Google helps its new software engineers - so-called "Nooglers" - to feel at home in the company and become fully productive as quickly as possible.
Candidates deemed suitable on paper undergo telephone screening and then a series of interviews by peers as well as their potential managers. While the recruiting process seems to be successful in selecting good candidates, they tend to know little about what to expect in their new employment.
Nooglers then undergo an orientation program that gives them an overview of Google's core technologies and programming and explains the firm's human-resource policies.
Senior engineers deliver lectures on Google practices and culture. Senior engineers are used for this because they are more likely to share engineering values and language, and so more easily establish a rapport with the new starters.
Life of an engineer
A presentation entitled Life of an Engineer helps the new engineers to learn how to become productive Google employees. The presentation emphasizes that change is a fundamental element of the organizational culture, and that embracing new systems and ways of doing things is the key to being a successful employee.
Given that the organization is in constant flux, new employees are advised not to try to memorize primary information, but to learn who to ask and what inquiry methods and paths lead to the answers.
Another cultural cornerstone is that, given the knowledge-intensive nature of Google's work, all engineers should consider themselves part of the company's research and development efforts.
Newly-hired engineers are encouraged to identify successful engineers who have extensive experience of working in the system, and to copy their behavior. The company makes available on the intranet a list of the most productive and influential software engineers.
The last section of the Life of an Engineer presentation explains the career ladder for engineers in the company.
Online training resources
Google's intranet sites contain initial lectures that give new hires an overview, and links to more detailed information. The following online learning materials are particularly noteworthy:
- Check-lists . One "standard" list allows Nooglers to explore Google's many systems, practices, events and institutions step-by-step. The list covers the Nooglers' immersion from week one to week four and beyond. Several...