NYTimes Op Ed - How to Get a Job at Google

Found the NYtimes Op Ed - How To Get a Job at Google by Thomas Friedman interesting, and it is related to education.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/23/opinion/sunday/friedman-how-to-get-a-job-at-google.html

Two questions I would like to ask is to what extent do you agree with the idea of looking beyond traditional GPA/test scores when making hiring decisions? Also how much do you think that goes on at companies or organizations that do hire?