Coveted Careers: Jobs at Google, Facebook, & Apple
Published: Nov 17, 2011
This week, the Wall Street Journal reported on a study by Universum, which found that young professionals rank Google, Apple, and Facebook as the top 3 ideal employers. Google claimed the No. 1 spot as the most desirable place to work in the survey, which listed approximately 200 employers and included a write-in option.
Why are these media giants so popular with the under 40 crowd, and what does it take to get on the payroll? We dug up some notable perks and jobseeker advice for all three:
Perks & Benefits: According to the company’s site, some of the benefits of working at Google include free lunch and dinner, multiple insurance offerings, workout facilities, 401k match, massage rooms, tuition reimbursement, shuttle services in certain locations, haircuts, paid parental leave, and laundry services.
Jobseeker Advice: In her interview with Vault, former Google recruiter Gayle Laakmann McDowell shared that jobseekers must demonstrate intelligence and fearlessness. A high GPA isn’t enough to land a gig at Google: “Ultimately a resume screener wants to see that you’re smart and that you tackle hard problems and you work hard . . . . GPA is one way, but it’s not the only way,” she said. McDowell also discussed the importance of structuring interview answers and urged non-software-engineer candidates to prepare for behavioral questions. In short, stand out and prepare.
Apple
Perks: Among the benefits and perks listed on Apple’s site are a café with organic food, an employee stock purchase plan, an onsite gym, tuition assistance, discounts on products, and financial education seminars. The company also emphasizes flexibility for its employees and their families.
Jobseeker Advice: Last winter, the tech site ElectricPig researched and consulted with Apple insiders to uncover what it takes to join the i-team. According to the research, candidates should stay up-to-date with new technology and should study the technologies on which Apple focuses. When it comes to getting in Apple’s doors, use your insider connections and get a referral. Once you’re in the door, the company will be checking to see if you fit in—research the company’s culture, such as its small-team environment and emphasis on technology.
Perks: On its site, Facebook describes a variety of "like"-worthy perks, including: unlimited sick days, weekly speakers, paid parental leave, $4k in baby cash for new parents, shuttles, transportation reimbursement, free food and microkitchens, and laundry services.
Jobseeker Advice: Snagging a spot at a company that received a quarter of a million applications in 2010 alone is tough. In a recent interview with Mashable, Thomas Arnold—head of Facebook’s recruiting—explained that successful candidates have entrepreneurial vision, are self starters, and fit with the Facebook culture (it might not hurt to read up on Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg's secrets to success before your interview too). According to Arnold, Facebook seeks candidates who not only understand social media and Facebook’s vision, but who actively use the site as well.
-- By: Mary Kate Sheridan, Vault.com
The Wall Street Journal: Young Workers Like Facebook, Apple and Google
ElectricPig: How to Get a Job at Apple
CNN/Mashable: How to land a job at Facebook
Google's Jobs site
Apple's Jobs site
Facebook's Jobs site
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