Google Searches and Attracts Top Talent from Diverse Backgrounds

The ongoing and increasing war for top talents serves as one of the main impetuses for pro-active D&I programmes. While targeted campaigns for women have become common, more comprehensive approaches are yet to be developed.
With a significant need for top talent from some of the competitive labour market segments, many from ITC-related fields, Internet giant Google has built a remarkably holistic programme in the EMEA region that combines D&I with some of the key features in employer branding and recruiting in an innovative way. In 2011 Google launched a pilot programme to support UK black university students in technical degree disciplines, in response to an under-representation in the computer science field. With executive sponsorship from a BAME director, Google identified 50 BAME students and created an innovative insight experience for careers in the technology industry.
The Top Black Talent Program combines the key elements of hiring, outreach, employee networks and mentoring in a way that highlights the innovative character of many of Google’s initiatives. In order to maximise the chances of success for students in the hiring process for both Google and other technology companies, Google designed a robust process that identifies black talent on campus and provides extensive bespoke support. The company has rapidly and visibly built a reputation as an employer of choice for BAME talent by strategically identifying top black talent and providing a high value experience including the opportunity to engage with a number of key partners. The revitalised employee network serves as a partner to promote an inclusive environment and support the black community. The Top Black Talent Program also has a mentoring element which was designed to give career development opportunities to Googler mentors and plug the information gap for students with no prior connection to Google. This comprises advice and activities related to career development, CV and interview preparation plus in-depth coaching in cutting-edge technical skills with world-class software engineers. Google also manages to include many of its own products in the delivery of its talent program, including the utilisation of Google Chat (voice and video conferencing software), Google Talk (instant messaging), a YouTube video “A Place To Be You – Google UK”, Google Docs for real-time collaboration and Google Groups to build a long-term peer community.
Due to the success of this model, it will be expanded to other under-represented groups, including female software engineers and people with disabilities in the autumn of 2011.

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