Do you need a resume? Google thinks so.

PALO ALTO, CA - Recently, Seth Godin (of whom I have been a big fan for years, and whose Boxed Set I bought the week it was released) suggested that the best jobs don't require a resume.  Seth knew his comments were going to be controversial, and his post was music to the ears of his fans -- many of whom blogged their hope that he was right.

As a follow up to that conversation, a buddy of mine has been approached by Google for a great job ... a world class job ... a job people would kill for ... one of those jobs that don't get filled by people emailing in resumes.  Ever.

And guess what?  The first thing Google's internal recruiter sent my friend was this link explaining how to prepare a resume for Google.  It's a requirement.  Who knew?

Now, I'm not trying to say "I told you so" with this post.  But we all know that Google is one of America's Top Employers.  Evidently, a resume is as important to getting a job with Google as having a license is to driving a car.  It's like that everywhere.
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Comments

[Greg Paskill]

I really find resumes useless. They only speak about what you have done for others. They don't convey what you can do for your potential employer.

Expecting resumes because everyone is doing it is a cop-out, especially if you're the type of employer who says you want self-starter, self-motivated individuals. If you really are interested in somebody and want to see them put in writing what you're all about, ask them not for a resume. Ask them instead for a business plan. Have them research and write what they can and will do for you when hired.

[John David Ramulsky Jr.]

Im not nearly the Seth Godin devotee that many others are. Yes, he is a resource, but he looks like an alien. He also hasn't cornered the market on knowledge of marketing yet.

I think I know your friend who has the Google interview. Google uses a pretty traditional interview process, but they use a unique number of steps to hire. You interview with a recruiter, then you interview with someone who would REPORT to you, then you interview with an allied or directly interfacing person from another group. THEN if you pass that, then you talk to hiring authority. Its absolutely a group decision.

Google focuses on their corp culture very highly and you have to fit in. There is an assumption that you are very smart and very talented. Then they see if you are an asshole or not.

At least thats what I remember of what the guy I know said. His experience may also be unique because Google's hiring expectations of engineers is very specific.

JDR

[Richard Millington]

Anyway that clicks through to my URL will spot my obvious bias here, but I think Seth's comments are meant as aspirational. It's the difference between looking for a job and being the first guy that comes to mind when looking to fill a position.

It probably works better at the higher levels, but it certainly doesn't hurt. For the record, I don't have a CV anymore - but I have had offers through my blogs.

[Recruiting Animal]

Seth left a comment on RecruitingBloggers.com a few months ago. When he thinks of job hunting he thinks of people whose reputation is so good their network of top performers do not hesitate to endorse them heartily to potential employers. And the say so of these respected people in the field replaces the resume.

If you want me to find the comment I will. It's obvious however that this is a recipe made only for the elite.

[Alan Rimm-Kaufman]

Amen, Harry.

IMHO, not having a resume is rude.

The resume doesn't get you a job -- just an interview, if all goes well -- but not having any resume is a sure-fire way not to get an interview.

I'm also a big fan of the one-page resume, regardless of how accomplished you are.

You may need to have an expanded version, or have supplementary material describing a certain accomplishment in more depth, sure, or a comprehensive list of books or talks or patents. Sure.

But the ability to synthesize and summarize is a key skill, and I roll my eyes at people using 3 pages just for the reverse chrono job history.

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Alan

[Philip]

I honestly didn't know that they have a set of guidelines on what to include and what not to include. I am guessing that this is part of their "recruitment process" (read: paper-filing, administrative process). The fact that your friend got a call first is perhaps an indication of his/her 'brand footprint' the industry that goes beyond the A4 or 8x10 sheet of paper. :)

I had a similar experience as your friend - I got *the* call, then went through the gamut of submitting resumes and 'sample' work, going to interviews, etc.

That's not to say that resumes are not needed - it's becoming a "next step" after an initial contact that is based on "hearsay", WOM, or reputation (for lack of a better term).

[Kevin Strawbridge]

I, too, saw Seth's post and was somewhat motivated by it to build my brand and create things of meaning that will express me without it being confined to an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper. I have even begun my blog again (http://mindcradle.wordpresss.org) so that I could "expand".

Now reading this post makes me realize what my Dad always told me is still true - life is a series of hoops. You can choose your hoops, but it doesn't count until you actually go through it.

Google's hoop is a resume.