Everyone knows YouTube, but do we really know this company whose flagship product we use almost every day? David Vu, graduate of EM Strasbourg in 2019 and Account Executive within this video giant, takes us behind the scenes of YouTube and Google.
David Vu’s journey
Can you present your academic background?
I am originally from Strasbourg and I did all my schooling there. I studied at the Lycée International des Pontonniers, in the European-English section. After my bac S, I moved towards a DUT Tech de Co, because I needed to experiment, to be hands-on. I then joined the PGE of theEM Strasbourg. I had the chance to spend a year at the University of Adelaide in Australia, allowing me to solidify my level of English. It was really an asset, because I greatly gained self-confidence. In my final year, I decided to do a double degree in marketing and event management.
What about your professional career?
My first professional experience took place in DUT. I explored different sectors that appealed to me. For example, I was a marketing intern in a contemporary art gallery or a salesperson at Decathlon. This is where I discovered that I loved contact with people, advising clients…
In Australia, I turned to Tech companies and managed to get a part-time internship, alongside my courses, in an Australian startup specializing in augmented reality. I also had a part-time job in another startup: HousingAnywhere, a sort of Airbnb of subletting.
During a gap year, my dream was to join a Tech company, but I received a lot of rejections. I was particularly interested in HP at the time and I was accepted, but I preferred to go to Air France which offered me a job in digital. I was in charge of creating mini-sites and organizing competitions for the Air France community. It was my first taste of the digital world and I learned a lot.
The Google dream
How did you get to Google?
For my second gap year internship, I decided to refocus on Tech and I applied to Microsoft, the legendary company! I was an assistant channel marketing manager. I assisted my boss with B2B event organization and communication. It went very well, to the point that they offered me to stay with them on a work-study basis for my last year at EM Strasbourg. It fit perfectly with my training in marketing and event management. It was a great experience in Tech, but I really felt like I wasn’t in contact with the product.
I spoke with a friend who made the transition from Microsoft to Google and so I went through the processes to become an Account Strategist. They are those who manage the group’s client portfolios. It’s a great all-round experience, the dream experience!
What did you like about Google in particular?
Google was top of mind In my opinion. The huge campuses, the folklore… These are all elements that made me want to be part of the Google ecosystem. I was at the European headquarters in Ireland, where there are eight restaurants with all types of free food, gyms, games rooms and swimming pools! I was able to take advantage of it a few months before confinement. Google allowed us to return to the country of our choice, I chose France to telework.
The recruitment processes at Google deciphered
How did the recruitment process go?
I signed up for Google Ad Camp, a bootcamp reserved for future business school graduates organized in several cities around the world. Before Ad Camp, you must apply on the dedicated site. If the CV is accepted, you go through two rounds of interviews. These are real interviews given by other Googlers. The particularity at Google is that anyone can have interviews after having followed extensive training.
I was asked if I wanted to have a first job or an internship, then I was called back after the event.
Within the group, there are five rounds. I had already done two, so I had my last three interviews with seniors at Google. The first is the RRK, Role-Related Knowledgewhere you are asked questions about the position and your technical knowledge. The second is more dedicated to corporate culture, it is a central pillar of recruitment at Google. You have to be very humble to succeed.
Finally, there is the signature Google interview which can be scary. Recruiters ask candidates a very broad question. For example: “Tomorrow you start your own business, what do you do first?” » or “Imagine you have a bus, how many golf balls would it take to fill your bus? » Here, Google does not evaluate the answer, but the reflection. It is important to think out loud and show that you are logical.
Behind the scenes at Google
What preconceived ideas did you have about Google/YouTube before joining it?
I had always been told that there were brilliant people at Google and I was very excited to work with them. It’s very stimulating on a daily basis. Of course, we read a lot of things in the press, so I asked myself questions about corporate culture and management. On the contrary, the Dublin campus is a huge, very open hub with individuals from different cultures. Managers are very caring, precisely because the recruitment processes are there to ensure that people fit into the company culture.
This diversity also allows you to grow and become very empathetic with others. This experience really had a positive impact on me. We are also lucky to have communities that promote ethnic groups or religious groups, for example. I am part of the internal association dedicated to Asian Googlers.
A secret that no one knows about YouTube?
Many people don’t know this, but YouTube is the second largest search engine in France. When we think of search engines, we mostly think of Bing, for example. But YouTube is ahead of them. Viewing time among young people is also very high. Among 18-34 year olds, it’s 92% coverage and 50 minutes of viewing per day, which places us above Netflix.
The job of Account Executive
You are now an Account Executive at YouTube. What does this role consist of?
Two months ago, I had the opportunity to move from Account Strategist to Account Executive and joined the teams specializing in YouTube advertising. It allows me to stay in touch with the product. Today, I specialize in YouTube Ads and more specifically YouTube for Action, a product that encourages users to purchase. I work with Account Strategists whose clients use YouTube heavily. I work with them to offer them a support plan and accelerate their presence on this site.
What is a typical day like at YouTube?
There is no truly typical day. The advantage of this type of job, in a corporate culture like that of Google, is that you can organize your working time as you see fit. No one judges you not on presenteeism, but on the final results.
I start at 9-9:30 a.m., I process my emails, then I make an appointment with the Accounts Strategists who have high potential clients on YouTube. During these meetings, I build with personalized support with them for their clients. There are good practices to follow so that users don’t skip advertising straight away. There is a whole mechanics to follow on the creative part, the orchestration of the campaigns, the formats used, the target audience, the date of launch of the campaign… It’s quite a job!
We are also lucky to have side jobs when we are seniors. You can get involved in projects and become POC, to point of contact. POCs specialize in a product and become the go-to person when needed. I decided to specialize in the measurement and tracking part of performance on YouTube.
Recruitment perspectives and tips for joining Google
Today, is Google recruiting interns, work-study students or permanent employees?
Google France offers internships, notably at YouTube. Work-study programs are very rare in Paris, but it is possible! The recruitment processes are the same, but the advertisements quickly disappear because many candidates apply to each of them. My advice: check the LinkedIn profile of recruiters who often publish posts related to the group’s recruitment needs. Do not hesitate to find out more and go to the various events organized by Google.
Today, marketing positions are mostly based in Paris, while sales functions are in Ireland. It is very difficult to enter and start your career at YouTube. You generally have to cut your teeth as an Account Strategist.
Any advice for those who would like to join YouTube or Google?
There is often an inferiority complex that prevents students from applying to Google. The received idea is that when we apply, our application will be directly rejected. It is believed that Google is not accessible to business school graduates. However, it is possible! To put all the chances on your side, it’s better to know someone at Google who can refer you. This generally allows you to pass the first stage of screenings and go straight to HR interviews.
