What's it like working at Google?

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In the midst of a global financial crisis, one company stood out from the crowd yesterday, that company is Google.

Despite the whole world struggling and stock markets taking a battering, the company still managed to report excellent earnings during a conference call with investors yesterday.

So we wondered, how is it that Google manages to pump out excellent innovations in search, mapping and now its own web browser and mobile OS. More importantly, what's it like working at Google?

The company is based in Mountain View, California in the United States. Co-founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who both studied computer science, it employs 10,000 worldwide and has been named #1 best company to work for by Fortune magazine this year.

Google Plex is the company's HQ where all the magic happens. Dubbed by employees "a country itself", those lucky enough to work for Google enjoy mixing with fellow geeks.

The company lists 10 reasons to work at Google on its jobs page but is modest about the impressive benefits at Google plex.

The company has 17 different cafeterias which serve gourmet food. All food is complimentary including drinks and snacks which leads to the term "Google 16", the amount of pounds you put on when you first start working for Google.

At Google Plex there is a state of the art gym, a lap pool, ping pong, beach volleyball and a string of different language classes to brush up on your multi-lingual skills. Employee pets are welcome and Google has supplied a laundry room, concierge, hairdressers and even an on-site doctor. Solar panels, recycled carpets and complimentary public transportation are just some of the "green" practices Google has adopted. Google is so proud of how it treats employees that it even has its own YouTube channel dedicated to life at Google.

If you're not convinced it's the best place to work for then check out the photos below courtesy of Frankin Cool. There's also a nice video overview of the companies offerings recorded last year.

Employees enjoy a relaxing break in a decompression (stress) capsule that is impermeable to sound and light:

A fun slide allows employees to shoot to the ground floor quickly:

For more pictures please visit our working at Google Gallery

#1 Ali Koubeissi on 17 Oct 2008 - 08:18

/me crying out loud.

(1 reply) #2 C++ on 17 Oct 2008 - 09:23

I feel like I'm browsing a cached copy of Neowin... This was new and exciting years ago.

#2.1 creamhackered on 17 Oct 2008 - 09:38

If you press Ctrl+F5 this will clear your cache. Thanks!

(1 reply) #3 JoeC on 17 Oct 2008 - 09:35

OK, own up. Who is the ONE person out of 17 who wants their own jobover one at Google? Spoilt the nice-looking graph

#3.1 IceBreakerG on 17 Oct 2008 - 14:25

Well, considering that I can work from home, I'm one of the ones that'd rather keep the job I have now. In fact, I'm working from home right now. I think my own house is more comfortable than working at Google. Maybe that's the reason pretty much every single one of their apps is still a "Beta".

#4 michael.dobrofsky on 17 Oct 2008 - 09:52

Don't think for a second they don't want their pound of flesh for all that "free" stuff.

#5 +Smigit on 17 Oct 2008 - 09:59

as michael says. Listing facilities doesn't describe in the slightest what it's like working there really. I'm sure it's great, but theres ALOT of other companies that you could post a random image or two and say "thats nice" while overlooking the actual leg work involved in the other 80 - 90% of your time in the office.

#6 Magallanes on 17 Oct 2008 - 12:53

So, they are working overtime to fix and finish (at last) with the beta status of their products. (sarcasm).

(1 reply) #7 Mr. Dee on 17 Oct 2008 - 13:53

I didn't know they have Google machines that eat people now. Wow! That's just innovative!

#7.1 +Smigit on 17 Oct 2008 - 14:18

It's pacman painted white.

(2 replies) #8 C_Guy on 17 Oct 2008 - 14:55

Well, they gotta get people to sell their souls to Satan somehow.

#8.1 +Dakkaroth on 17 Oct 2008 - 15:30

Why would they get people to sell their souls to Microsoft?

#8.2 Airlink on 17 Oct 2008 - 18:44

Dakkaroth said,

Why, for leverage of course.

#9 +warwagon on 17 Oct 2008 - 15:16

It just goes to show thats it s a fun place to work. They realize that if you give people a fun working environment that they will be more productive.

I really respect google for that.

So google has a massage room

Apple has Steve jobs, which totally cancel each other out. lol

#10 PsykX on 17 Oct 2008 - 16:10

Woahhhh, I don't like google that much, but their environment seems crazy! As modern as my university, but 5x as cool with these slides and egg chairs...
Quite frankly, this is one of the best work places I've ever seen

(2 replies) #11 simon360 on 17 Oct 2008 - 16:56

I want a fun slide

#11.1 Shadrack on 17 Oct 2008 - 20:46

simon360 said,

Me too

#11.2 MrA on 18 Oct 2008 - 01:32

Me three.

BTW: That slide isn't in the Googleplex in Mountain View.

#12 Airlink on 17 Oct 2008 - 18:38

They actualy have a slide built into the building.
:jawdrop:

#13 likeAP on 17 Oct 2008 - 20:35

that slide thing is a really good idea. and fun too! lulz

(1 reply) #14 Minimoose on 17 Oct 2008 - 22:13

I would find it hard to work knowing that there was free food downstairs and I would get to use the slide to get down there.

#14.1 Cøbra on 19 Oct 2008 - 17:39

FYI: I heard food is no longer "free" at Google.

Was starting to cost them too much. Brought in external agencies for the catering. lolzipops.

#15 seamer on 18 Oct 2008 - 05:08

This isn't Google's Mountain View HQ; this is from a prototype setup in Europe.

It's been all over the 'net before...very recently too. Google it!

(2 replies) #16 srfoote on 18 Oct 2008 - 12:50

No thanks. Would rather work somewhere where there is a chance of a long term career, and yeah it would be a less flashy place.

#16.1 z0phi3l on 19 Oct 2008 - 02:59

srfoote said,

I know who would want to work for a Company that will actually make you want to stay, and give your perks. Not me I'd rather work in a ****ty place for that so called "long term career"

#16.2 +Smigit on 19 Oct 2008 - 19:24

Why isn't Google a long term career move anyway? They've established themselves, have offices all over the world and are expanding and the very fact you've worked at Google isn't going to look bad on a resume should you want to move on elsewhere.

#17 Rudy on 20 Oct 2008 - 02:37

My work place has a lot to learn from them.....damn I wish....

#18 bobbyq25 on 22 Jun 2009 - 03:18

I think its great working at Google. So many perks and a fun environment. There's a lot more than just the cool toys they have there though. i recently posted my Google experience here: http://www.jobnfo.com/taxonomy/term/13,1

i think there a lot more than what people assume. to me, it is a long term career since they offer many different opportunities here.

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