Hey, I have some questions assuming you're a Google employee.

- In the selection process, how important is pedigree on the resume as bane mentioned? I graduated at the top of my class but from a mediocre university and with a B.S. in IT (not CS), and I've wondered if this has hurt me in the selection process. I've interviewed twice at Google, performed very well, but got rejected in the end both times. Last time I actually got rejected, then offered another position, and then rejected a second time, lol.

- Does a recommendation from an existing employee give you a boost in the selection process? Google claims the process is 100% anonymous but I've wondered about that. I made a contact with one of the interviewers last time and I'm wondering if it'd be smart or even kosher to ask the guy for a plug.

If you've gotten through to the interview stage then it doesn't matter what school you went to. Re-examine whether you did perform well in those interviews. :)

Recommendations from people you know and have worked with and who can vouch for how awesome you are are valuable. Recommendations from someone you spoke to once aren't.