A Day in the Life of a German New Grad @ Google Dublin
April 25th, 2013 | Published in Uncategorized
As part of our ‘A Day in the Life of a New Grad @ Google Dublin’ series we’re highlighting the work of 8 Googlers in our multicultural Google Dublin Office who joined soon after graduating! Today we’re featuring one of our German Googlers, Mengühan, to give you an inside look into the Associate Account Strategist, SMB Sales role. Mengühan began his career with Google as a summer intern and returned to be a full time Googler after his studies!
If you’re interested in applying for an SMB Sales/Services position, check out our open opportunities at the bottom of this post.
Tell us about your path to Google?
I grew up in a small town near Stuttgart in Germany and majored in International Business and Finance at Reutlingen University. During my studies, I completed several internships in industry, consulting and eventually at Google as well. In retrospect, Google was the only place where I was actually looking forward to leaving home to go to work in the morning. For me, it was clear that I wanted to join Google for a full time position after graduating.
Why Google and not other companies?
That’s easy. At Google, you have the opportunity to work with some of the smartest people. If you are interested in technology, then Google is the place to be. Besides that, the perks are unbeatable with free gourmet food, on-site massages, gym and gaming corners on each floor.
What is your role at Google?
I’m an SMB Sales Associate for the German speaking market. I advise small and medium-sized businesses on their online marketing strategies. This can include finding tailor-made solutions for our clients, helping them navigate through their account or talking about how they can cope with upcoming trends. My role is very entrepreneurial. You can decide how and when you want to work. The flexibility is of course bound to high responsibility, but if you are able to manage and discipline yourself properly, you will do well.
Sales is in my opinion the best place to acquire the skills you need for a successful career in any corporation - communicating professionally on a high level (mostly with CEOs), working towards targets/objectives and, of course, building great relationships with your customers.
How does your role fit in with the larger team?
As a salesperson at Google, you have a lot of responsibility, towards both your customers and Google. Google’s revenue is generated from AdWords which means we in the sales teams play an important role as our work enables our colleagues from other teams to work on cool new products and innovation.
The most amazing part of my job is that I advise mainly small businesses. Most small businesses cannot afford to hire a marketing professional so they rely on me to be their Chief Marketing Officer. It’s just great to talk to young entrepreneurs about their goals and ambitions and their strategies to compete in the market.
Tell us about a typical day in your life at Google.
Here’s a typical day for me:
7:30: Start of the day
My smartphone’s alarm is ringing - let´s snooze for five more minutes, and then five more, and then again.. nope, I’m not a morning person. I love the snooze alarm function. Finally, I get up, and I’m already excited about my breakfast at work: Waffles with Nutella and freshly-squeezed orange juice. Epic!
8:45: Emails
After my delicious breakfast and espresso to kick-start the day, I go to my desk and check my emails. I have set several labels in Gmail, so I know what to look for.
9:00: Appointment scheduling
It’s time to schedule some appointments with my customers. German customers are very active in the morning so, with the support of a nice cup of Maroccan Mint tea, I am usually able to schedule around three client appointments.
10:00: Customer calls
Between 10 am and 12 pm, I usually have my first scheduled calls with customers. I take about 20 minutes to analyze the accounts to find optimization potentials. Early in the call, I try to understand the business model, the market, the competitors and so on. It’s always extremely interesting how people make money.
12:30: Lunch
I love sushi, so today I decide to meet with a friend at the Earth Cafe where they have a sushi bar. Salmon Mango Maki and Tuna Nigiri, I love it. The black forest cake for dessert of course, feels like home.
13:00: Customer calls
After around 1pm, I usually have some other calls. Customers tend to be more relaxed with a full belly after lunch. Of course, I do, too.
15:00: AdWords campaign creation
Sometimes the campaigns of customers have to be built from scratch. That’s when we have our creative time. While my music is cranked up in my headphones, I think about a proper structure for the customer’s account - i.e. which customer groups to target and which online marketing channels to utilise. For instance, I like creating banner ads with the AdWords ad builder. It makes you feel like a designer.
16:30
In the evening, I usually have some time for personal projects, such as writing this blog post.
18:00
The best way for me to finish a day is to power out myself in the Google gym.
What is the most interesting project/client that you have had to work with?
That’s difficult. I have talked to many clients that were very interesting. Once, I talked to a the CEO of a start-up that provides a car sharing service in Munich and it was one of the first of its kind in Germany. You can basically pick up a car anywhere with your member card and pay on a per minute basis. I’ve always thought that car sharing is the next big thing in public transport. Hearing the strategy and data behind the concept from the CEO was very exciting.
Have you done a rotation onto another team? If so, can you tell us about that?
I did my internship last year on the same team but for the Turkish market, as I am of Turkish heritage. It’s unbelievable how customers differ. Turkish customers have to build up a personal relationship before you can give them any suggestions on their work. German customers usually cut straight to the chase. Hard to say what I would prefer, sometimes I want to chat, sometimes just do my work.
What's your favourite Google memory or ‘Magic Moment’?
At Google, magic happens and is created on a daily basis. I know that sounds cheesy, but that’s actually what makes everything “Googley”. During an internal social engagement activity called Age Engage, I taught a senior citizen how to use a computer, the internet and a social media site in order to stay in contact with his grandchildren. He, in exchange, shared personal and very interesting aspects of his life with me. Personally, I found that magical.
What career advice would you give to a new grad embarking into the world of work?
Take a short break. I took one month off to travel after graduating. It really helped me to get a new and fresh view on everything and my life. After that, I would plan over some months for the application process. Don’t go for the first offer, get some options by applying to many companies and then decide for the place that suits you best. For me, it was Google. I love to work in a technology company with a young and dynamic working environment. Google facilitates the lives of so many people every day - that’s amazing. I would say, choose the job you really want, not the one you think will bring you the most money. Good luck!
Interested in working for Google Dublin? Check out our new grad positions today and apply!
EEA work authorization is required for roles supporting EEA markets.
Posted by Mengühan Ünver, Associate Account Strategist.
If you’re interested in applying for an SMB Sales/Services position, check out our open opportunities at the bottom of this post.
Tell us about your path to Google?
I grew up in a small town near Stuttgart in Germany and majored in International Business and Finance at Reutlingen University. During my studies, I completed several internships in industry, consulting and eventually at Google as well. In retrospect, Google was the only place where I was actually looking forward to leaving home to go to work in the morning. For me, it was clear that I wanted to join Google for a full time position after graduating.
 |
| Mengühan at the Google Dublin Office |
That’s easy. At Google, you have the opportunity to work with some of the smartest people. If you are interested in technology, then Google is the place to be. Besides that, the perks are unbeatable with free gourmet food, on-site massages, gym and gaming corners on each floor.
What is your role at Google?
I’m an SMB Sales Associate for the German speaking market. I advise small and medium-sized businesses on their online marketing strategies. This can include finding tailor-made solutions for our clients, helping them navigate through their account or talking about how they can cope with upcoming trends. My role is very entrepreneurial. You can decide how and when you want to work. The flexibility is of course bound to high responsibility, but if you are able to manage and discipline yourself properly, you will do well.
Sales is in my opinion the best place to acquire the skills you need for a successful career in any corporation - communicating professionally on a high level (mostly with CEOs), working towards targets/objectives and, of course, building great relationships with your customers.
How does your role fit in with the larger team?
As a salesperson at Google, you have a lot of responsibility, towards both your customers and Google. Google’s revenue is generated from AdWords which means we in the sales teams play an important role as our work enables our colleagues from other teams to work on cool new products and innovation.
The most amazing part of my job is that I advise mainly small businesses. Most small businesses cannot afford to hire a marketing professional so they rely on me to be their Chief Marketing Officer. It’s just great to talk to young entrepreneurs about their goals and ambitions and their strategies to compete in the market.
Tell us about a typical day in your life at Google.
Here’s a typical day for me:
7:30: Start of the day
My smartphone’s alarm is ringing - let´s snooze for five more minutes, and then five more, and then again.. nope, I’m not a morning person. I love the snooze alarm function. Finally, I get up, and I’m already excited about my breakfast at work: Waffles with Nutella and freshly-squeezed orange juice. Epic!
8:45: Emails
After my delicious breakfast and espresso to kick-start the day, I go to my desk and check my emails. I have set several labels in Gmail, so I know what to look for.
9:00: Appointment scheduling
It’s time to schedule some appointments with my customers. German customers are very active in the morning so, with the support of a nice cup of Maroccan Mint tea, I am usually able to schedule around three client appointments.
10:00: Customer calls
Between 10 am and 12 pm, I usually have my first scheduled calls with customers. I take about 20 minutes to analyze the accounts to find optimization potentials. Early in the call, I try to understand the business model, the market, the competitors and so on. It’s always extremely interesting how people make money.
12:30: Lunch
I love sushi, so today I decide to meet with a friend at the Earth Cafe where they have a sushi bar. Salmon Mango Maki and Tuna Nigiri, I love it. The black forest cake for dessert of course, feels like home.
13:00: Customer calls
After around 1pm, I usually have some other calls. Customers tend to be more relaxed with a full belly after lunch. Of course, I do, too.
15:00: AdWords campaign creation
Sometimes the campaigns of customers have to be built from scratch. That’s when we have our creative time. While my music is cranked up in my headphones, I think about a proper structure for the customer’s account - i.e. which customer groups to target and which online marketing channels to utilise. For instance, I like creating banner ads with the AdWords ad builder. It makes you feel like a designer.
16:30
In the evening, I usually have some time for personal projects, such as writing this blog post.
18:00
The best way for me to finish a day is to power out myself in the Google gym.
What is the most interesting project/client that you have had to work with?
That’s difficult. I have talked to many clients that were very interesting. Once, I talked to a the CEO of a start-up that provides a car sharing service in Munich and it was one of the first of its kind in Germany. You can basically pick up a car anywhere with your member card and pay on a per minute basis. I’ve always thought that car sharing is the next big thing in public transport. Hearing the strategy and data behind the concept from the CEO was very exciting.
Have you done a rotation onto another team? If so, can you tell us about that?
I did my internship last year on the same team but for the Turkish market, as I am of Turkish heritage. It’s unbelievable how customers differ. Turkish customers have to build up a personal relationship before you can give them any suggestions on their work. German customers usually cut straight to the chase. Hard to say what I would prefer, sometimes I want to chat, sometimes just do my work.
What's your favourite Google memory or ‘Magic Moment’?
At Google, magic happens and is created on a daily basis. I know that sounds cheesy, but that’s actually what makes everything “Googley”. During an internal social engagement activity called Age Engage, I taught a senior citizen how to use a computer, the internet and a social media site in order to stay in contact with his grandchildren. He, in exchange, shared personal and very interesting aspects of his life with me. Personally, I found that magical.
What career advice would you give to a new grad embarking into the world of work?
Take a short break. I took one month off to travel after graduating. It really helped me to get a new and fresh view on everything and my life. After that, I would plan over some months for the application process. Don’t go for the first offer, get some options by applying to many companies and then decide for the place that suits you best. For me, it was Google. I love to work in a technology company with a young and dynamic working environment. Google facilitates the lives of so many people every day - that’s amazing. I would say, choose the job you really want, not the one you think will bring you the most money. Good luck!
Interested in working for Google Dublin? Check out our new grad positions today and apply!
EEA work authorization is required for roles supporting EEA markets.
Posted by Mengühan Ünver, Associate Account Strategist.