Google's difficult interview questions attract candidates who enjoy solving tough problems, which is a strategy worth emulating.

Company culture is vital for long-term success, even if it doesn't seem like an immediate risk. As The Muse grew from 12 to over 80 employees, I realized that establishing core values and ensuring alignment during hiring is essential for maintaining a strong culture. The culture screen of asking if you'd want to get a beer with someone can overlook incredible candidates who are different from you.

Be prepared to discuss your company culture in detail, as candidates increasingly want to know what it's like to work at your startup.

Google's mission to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful illustrates how a clear purpose can guide a company's culture without mentioning specific products. Building a strong company culture starts with having a conversation with your co-founder about the values and behaviors you want to cultivate.

A strong company culture can be a powerful hiring tool, especially as competition for talent increases.

During my 12 years at Google, I focused on shaping a culture of creativity and innovation by training people in curiosity, empathy, and experimentation.

Many startups in the 2000s blindly emulated Google's office culture, believing that adopting open offices and free snacks would guarantee their success, without understanding the unique aspects that made Google great.

Culture is about making tough choices, like deciding not to hire a highly skilled candidate if they don't fit well with the team.

The talent market is competitive, but Google is fortunate to attract top talent and has a strong track record of employees starting successful companies.