For anybody else that's applied to Google, what's your opinion of the whole process?
It then took another month before I had an offer (and a few weeks after that before I decided that I really wanted to work on Tarsnap instead); I was told at the time that they normally moved faster than that.
So if it really does take 6 months to get an interview with Google, either they don't like you or they've slowed down a lot over the past 5 years.
'Since the last time we spoke, my role at Google has changed a bit and I'm now quite heavily involved with interviewing and hiring new candidates.
We are looking for top quality candidates with solid degrees from great universities, a passion for the internet and the advertising industry as well as other traits that make them interesting people - open mindedness, self-starters, entrepreneurs, people who are looking to change things.
Experience in (but not limited to) consultancy, advertising, marketing, sales and account management are all desirable. Entrepreneurs are especially liked as its one of the few companies that really values innovators, since we need them to keep pushing the company forward in an ever changing market. I can tell you some great stories of people right at the bottom who have lead global projects from a simple idea - check out Life In A Day for a recent example.
Since you have a great network, I would be grateful if you could pass on my message to your university list and anyone who you feel may be relevant. Candidates are 20 times more likely to get a job at Google with an internal referral so its a win-win situation for everyone.*
I got an interview offer but unfortunately the gig was not based in London so I had to pass it up. Maybe I'll try again in a few years.
For a couple friends, it was 6-8 months. Typically, the most drawn out cases are the borderline ones, where a candidate is just barely good enough to get hired but nothing really stands out about them. Of the 2 people I know in that position, one was eventually hired and one was eventually rejected.
Another comment: I applied with Microsoft last fall. Say what you will about Microsoft, but M$ gives you the name and email of your assigned recruiter as soon as you apply. I found that rather comforting.
I also got put in touch with an assigned recruiter within a couple hours of my friend submitting my resume, and she was very helpful throughout the application process.