Since many big tech firms are moving recently to Canada to cities like Toronto, Montreal Calgary and Vancouver, you will need the following 10 tips to get a job at one of these big tech firms.
1. Prepare To Wait
Millions of candidates apply to big tech firms every year. On average it takes about 8-12 weeks to receive a job offer if you are selected. Let that sink it – that’s 2-3 months after you start your interviews to get your offer. So make sure you have a job otherwise you will wait for a long time to pass all the interviews. Some of our bigger clients average 8 interviews where it starts with HR interview, and then goes to another 6-7 interviews with developers, leads, managers, VPs, etc.
2. Apply, apply, apply
Even if you do not meet all the requirements, apply anyways. Big tech firms go above and beyond to find a diamond in the rough. So even if you do not have that GoLang requirement but been developing with python apply anyways. If you are good at what you do, hiring manager will try to find a way to hire you.
Be open with recruiter of what you want, and be ready to explain what you have achieved so far in your career.
3. Keep it Simple
Most larger tech firms invested millions into their HR / AI software. However if your resume is illegible , has tables all over the place, or over 3 pages long, sometimes that automatic CV parser would not be able to auto read it and most likely mark it as spam or trash. Make sure you use PDF and or Word resume. Use bullet points for the ease of reading the resume. Your formatting has to be easily understood as most recruiters only spend 10-15 seconds before deciding whether to give you a call or discard your resume.
4. Many Interviews
Be prepared a lot of technical testing. On average bigger tech firms do anywhere from 5 to 8. On top of technical coding challenges you will be asked to “grab a coffee” so the hiring managers and leads can get to know you. Good idea would be to research the person who will be interviewing you to try to estimate what questions will be asked. And most importantly, make sure you go in refreshed and ready to adapt and react.
5. Common Interview Questions at Big Tech Firms
These three questions always come up – so be prepared with an answer:
a) Why are you interested in the job?
b) What are your biggest accomplishments? Explain
c) What are you passionate about? Time to talk about that Fiji hiking trip you did.
6. Dream big, no no even bigger
Big tech loves big dreamers. Your eCommerce idea about selling shoes online might be a good one, but you need to make it 100 or even 1000 times bigger. Big tech caters to millions and billions of users, they want you to think big also. So make it big.
7. Hobbies anyone?
Have a cool hobby? Big tech firms want to hear about your passions. Do you build drones in your spare time? Tell them about that – but do not show off too much. Be modest.
8. Show Interest and Take notes
Buy notepad! and take some notes when doing interviews with big tech. That will show to the hiring manager that you are paying attention and curious. Ask questions – be curious!
9. Social Media
All big tech will do a social media search on you. So be prepared with updated LinkedIn profile, make sure you contribute to GitHub, and share some interesting ideas on Twitter, and for god-sake remove those skinny dipping pics from Facebook.
10. Thank you
Over 80% of candidates do not do this! Send thank you emails to all the interviewers you’ve met. Do not wait – send it the same or next day. Highlight your experience and express your interest in the job. It is so simple, and will give you a definite boost over many other candidates.
