He's a Noogler!

For those of you who don't know, a Noogler is a new "Googler" or a new employee of Google. Since I haven't blogged it yet, I figured it was definitely time to do so as Matt gets ready to embark on his new journey. 

When Matt and I were still in Utah and trying to decide which Deloitte office Matt should apply for, we chose San Jose for many reasons but one of those being so Matt could be close to his favorite tech companies... his top being Google. He has always talked about how amazing it would be to work for Google, and even more so since we moved to Mountain View just miles from the Google headquarters. But Matt has always said he doesn't know what they would ever hire him for since he really does not enjoy programming.

After a year and a half at Deloitte, Matt learned that a coworker had formerly worked on a team at Google that sounded perfect for him. In fact, he had already applied for that exact position online a month earlier and received no response. This coworker put Matt in touch with an employee currently on that team who recommended Matt for the position and he got a call for a phone interview a day and a half later.

A month later, after several phone and in-person interviews, a lengthy application (where Matt had to describe in detail his "Googliness"), three references, three hiring committee's approval, and even the CEO's approval, Matt received a job offer! A dream come true! Shout out to the many people who helped Matt learn of the job (Jacklynn Tong and Dan Pham) and those who helped him prepare for the interviews (Jared Munyan and Blake Tsuhako).

Side note ----> They gave him the opportunity to move to Manhattan, NY and start in a new team there which I was all for, but Matt turned that down.

This is not only going to give Matt the opportunity to work in the tech industry for a great company he admires, doing work he is passionate about, but also has the amazing Googler perks. Here are some of the highlights:

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• Free food (three meals a day if he wants) and snacks all day as well (as long as he remembers to eat, they can't fix that)
• Use of the funny Google bikes to transport between buildings and campuses
• Free Google shuttle to work (with WiFi), though if we stay where we are at now, Matt can walk to work everyday
• Full soccer field, bowling alley and volleyball court on the main Google campus 
• Gets to attend a weekly all-staff meeting and learn about all of the new projects that Google is stewing up, along with an open Q&A with the president about any number of company issues
• Casual dress attire and flexible work schedules

On Monday, Matt becomes a Noogler and goes through their new-hire orientation. He will indeed have to wear the funny hat as pictured above and as seen (at 1:18) in the movie trailer for "The Internship". I am begging him to send me a photo of him in it. 

I am so happy for him, for us and so proud of him for working so hard to be able to get his dream job.

Side note ---->  For those of you wondering what Matt's googliness is, it was described to Matt as the following: Interesting facts, hobbies, personal achievements, sports, charity work, clubs, something that defines your uniqueness, and passions for things outside work and school.

Here are some of Matt's examples:

• 2010 Adobe Web Analytics Competition - Collegiate Champion & Intercollegiate Finalist
• Volunteer Route Chair for the Utah County Heart Walk - American Heart Association - 2010
• International Barbershop Youth Chorus Festival Champion - 2009
• BYU Intramural Champion - Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Wheelchair Basketball
• Volunteer Adult Computer Class Teacher, Provo City Library
• Sang bass in BYU Men’s Chorus 2003-2004
• Earned A grades in 4 BYU ballroom and latin dance classes and competed twice in the BYU Ballroom Dancesport Competition
• Volunteer Church Representative - Full-time Service to Missouri St. Louis & Illinois Peoria Missions - 2000-2002
• Earned Eagle Scout at 14 years old
• Grand Prize Winner - Stock Market Trading Game - Contra Costa County Times