3 Reasons to Turn Down the Job at Google
You’d have to be a crazy person to turn down a job offer from Google… Right?
As a kid, I had my dream job all figured out. I wanted to rule the world, wear non-matching sneakers, eat ice cream and take play breaks whenever I wanted. Truth be told, I’d still jump at that job. And there is one place it could happen: The Googleplex. Google’s not only one of the most dynamic, most successful and most innovative companies in the world, it’s an incredibly fun place to work.
So why would anyone say no to that shiny, sparkly Google offer? Three good reasons:
1. You wouldn’t be good at it. I know people who go on the job boards, search “Google,” and apply for every available position – regardless of any mismatch between the job demands and their own talents and preferences. If you’re one of those people (come on, admit it), step away from the send button. Even if you finagle your way through the interviews for a job that’s a poor fit with your strengths, once you get to work you’ll crash and burn. Nobody can fake it full time, and job failure will hurt your confidence, your wallet and your future employment prospects … even if it’s at Google.You don’t thrive in that kind of atmosphere. Google is more than just a utopia of creative stimulation and employee perks. It’s also a highly competitive work environment that sucks up the truly exceptional and leaves the rest behind. To get ahead, Google employees have to take constant initiative, obsess over micro-details and meta-data, work mind-boggling hours and show more dedication and smarts than the ten thousand other people who’d kill to have their job. Be honest about what works for you. If you do best in a low-pressure environment with steady hours and a specific set of job duties, Google is probably not the place where you’ll shine.
2. You don’t thrive in that kind of atmosphere. Google is more than just a utopia of creative stimulation and employee perks. It’s also a highly competitive work environment that sucks up the truly exceptional and leaves the rest behind. To get ahead, Google employees have to take constant initiative, obsess over micro-details and meta-data, work mind-boggling hours and show more dedication and smarts than the ten thousand other people who’d kill to have their job. Be honest about what works for you. If you do best in a low-pressure environment with steady hours and a specific set of job duties, Google is probably not the place where you’ll shine.
3. The timing is off. If you’re pretty dang sure Google is the place for you, the only other thing you may want to consider is the timing. The job available may be great for you – in five years. Or five years ago. You take a big risk when you accept a job at the wrong time in your career. If the job is more than you’re ready to take on, you’ll spread yourself too thin and flounder. If you’re way overqualified and take the job just because it’s Google, you’ll end up bored out of your mind and underperform. In either scenario, you’re not going to make a good impression, and nobody wants to make a bad impression at Google.
Don’t get me wrong – Google’s an amazing place to work. But you don’t have to be a crazy person to turn down a job offer there. An amazing job isn’t enough. It has to be amazing for you.
