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A Google employee from India has gone viral after revealing what it’s really like to work at the tech giant, praising its flexibility while calling promotions difficult
An Indian woman employed at the tech giant’s US office has answered the question with surprising honesty (Image-Tech.co)
A job at Google is often viewed as the ultimate career goal, but an Indian woman working at the company’s US office says the reality isn’t as glamorous as many imagine. While she praised Google’s flexible work culture, she revealed that growing within the organisation can be an uphill battle, even for high-performing employees.
The discussion surfaced in a street-style interview shared on Instagram by content creator @albeli_ritu, where Priya, an Indian professional currently working at Google in the United States, opened up about her personal experience at the tech giant. Speaking honestly about her journey, she revealed that her perception of working at Google has changed considerably since the day she joined.
Recalling her initial days at the company, Priya said getting into Google felt like the ultimate career milestone. She explained that she believed she had achieved everything she had worked towards. With a prestigious job title and an attractive salary, it seemed there was little more to aspire to professionally.
However, that excitement gradually gave way to a more realistic understanding of the workplace.
Priya pointed out that Google is filled with exceptionally talented professionals, making internal growth increasingly competitive. She explained that employees are constantly surrounded by highly skilled colleagues, and anyone hoping to move ahead within the organisation has to consistently exceed expectations and deliver beyond what is required.
Sharing her views on work-life balance, Priya said the experience largely depends on an individual’s personal ambitions. According to her, employees who simply meet their responsibilities can enjoy a comfortable balance between work and personal life.
On the other hand, those aiming for promotions or greater responsibilities often choose to invest significantly more time and effort, particularly in today’s uncertain tech landscape marked by periodic layoffs.
She also dismissed the notion that working excessively long hours is the norm at Google. Priya clarified that employees are not expected to work 10 to 12 hours every day. Instead, she explained that some days can be demanding, while others are considerably more relaxed, giving employees the flexibility to manage their schedules. She stressed that flexibility remains one of Google’s biggest strengths.
“Agar koi bhi bole ki Google mein flexibility nahi hai toh bilkul galat hai. Flexibility kaafi hai, par aap kis tareeke se grow kar paoge, ek point ke baad it’s very difficult.” (If someone says there is no flexibility at Google, that’s completely wrong. There is a lot of flexibility. But after a point, growing further also becomes very difficult), Priya said during the interview.
Reflecting on her personal journey, Priya also spoke about relocating across different cities, including London, Chicago and New York. She admitted there was a time when she questioned whether moving to the United States had been the right decision, especially since life in India had been progressing well.
Despite those doubts, she now believes the move was worthwhile. Living in New York, she said she feels it was the best decision she could have made given the opportunities available to her.
The interview quickly gained attention on social media, with many users appreciating Priya’s balanced and realistic perspective on working at one of the world’s biggest technology companies.
“Informative and realistic,” said one user.
“I am an independent consultant to them and it is horrible as tight time lines and some unorganised work culture creates anxiety. I liked Microsoft instead,” said another.
“Is working at Google USA your dream job too, or do you have a different dream company?” asked a third user.
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