Gayle Laakman McDowell wrote a book, The Google Resume, about how to land a job at the companies and what makes candidates stand out.
She worked at four of today's biggest tech companies, Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft.
Some of the rumored tricks, like having a perfect GPA, are mostly hot air, says McDowell. Others, like attending an elite university, do determine how attractive candidates are to the Google and Apple.
Here are some common missteps people make when applying to the tech giants, particularly when they're young and just starting out.
These could be the difference between an interview and a non response. You didn't go to an elite college.
Yes, where you went to school does matter to the tech giants. Of course there are exceptions, but McDowell says an Ivy League or other top university will get you noticed.
If you went to a lesser-known college, she suggests searching the alumni database, networking, or asking professors for helping finding another way in.
You were a waitress instead of an intern when you were 19.
Most students who want to graduate with jobs know they need to get a relevant internship while they're in school.
But freshman year? McDowell says that's the time to start.
"Your path to getting your dream internship junior year starts freshman year, or even before," says McDowell.
"Some students lift boxes at the university mail room during the year and bus tables during the summer; others go do something a little more...'interesting.' I don't think I need to tell you which role will help you more."
McDowell's first job was doing web development the summer before she started college. She encourages Google hopefuls to find similar work experience, whether it's working for a relevant professor or calling a startup interning for free.
You majored in liberal arts.
Sure, it sounded fun to be an art history major when you were in college. But don't pick a major like that if you want to work for Google or Apple, says McDowell.
"This is where I'm supposed to say, 'It doesn't matter what you major in, as long as you find something you love!' But I'm an honest person and I have to tell you: it does matter."
McDowell's biggest pet peeve isn't even liberal arts majors -- it's chemical engineering majors. "Until Google starts its own chemistry lab (and I'm not holding my breath), a chemical engineering degree alone probably won't be your ticket into the company," she writes.
She encourages students to pick majors that are directly relevant to Google or Apple. Finance, accounting, marketing or computer science majors have the best shot of being noticed by a tech recruiter. At the very least, minor in one of those fields.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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