[raverbashing]

To be very honest: don't waste your time

It is certainly a common desire of a lot of people to work there. And it certainly can be achieved if you have the technical skills

But the advantages of a position are overrated, and the disadvantages, underrated.

Certainly, not everywhere you can work on Google sized problems, but other place have interesting problems as well, and you'll feel your work to be more valued

[fishnchips]

That. As an ex-Google engineer, I'm often asked why I quit. I usually reply with a soccer analogy. If you're a decent player, and somehow you're bought by Real Madrid, you won't see much real action. There are enough superstars (technical and political) who get to do exciting stuff to keep you relegated to tedious, menial tasks.

[raverbashing]

Good Analogy

Real Madrid salaries for "average talent" are probably more competitive as well

[fishnchips]

Google is known for paying way above market average, but there's also the question of levels. I'd venture to say that most Google engineers I know work two levels below their capability. The concentration of talent is one thing, but the promotion process is so tedious that folks just tend not to go for it. As a result, what you call "average talent" will more than likely get less compensation at Google than they otherwise would. Certainly that was my case, even though money played no part in my decision.

[stuxnet79]

Speaking as a former Google engineer? I know a few disillusioned Google engineers :) Just understand from the outside looking in the company is still very much tantalizing. Most companies worth working for these days have a similarly stringent interview process so I can't see what the disadvantage would be of upping your technical skills.

[raverbashing]

> Speaking as a former Google engineer? I know a few disillusioned Google engineers :)

Not former nor current. Me too!

And yes, the Google interview process made me aware of some (important) blanks in my knowledge

At the same time they ignore the "incidental" talents and knowledge of people in their process (a lot of times, technical knowledge).

I also compare what they're doing with what people that got turned down are doing

[marssaxman]

Going to work at Google doesn't mean you'll work on Google sized problems, either. I certainly didn't; it was not a fun experience.