How did you choose what company to work for?
I am interested in a job in technology, but i'm not sure how to go about deciding what company to work for. How did you pick the company you are working at? What factors did you take into consideration? #technology
44 answers
Sven Zimmermann
Sven’s Answer
Hi Ali,
I think the most important thing is to know what you want to do and to check if that company fits your desire. An important factor is also the culture of the company and to check if that fits your aspirations, e.g. a company that is very much focused on remote work might not be the right one for someone who needs personal interaction.
The company should have a vision that inspires you. I found its very important that you buy into this and that it matches your aspirations.
Regards
Sven
I'd second this and highlight how - in my experience - the company culture and the type of people you will work with are equally important to what you are doing. I'd recommend narrowing down a list of companies that are in a field that interests you, and make a selection based on the people you meet and the culture you sense at each. Obviously, not everyone can afford to be super picky, but if you are fortunate enough to be one of the lucky ones with options, that's what I'd recommend!
Jonathan Menashe
Sarah’s Answer
Think big picture, is the company you want to work for good for starting your career? Such as, they are known for one thing? This may be the business you want to get your feet wet with to start. Or is the company you want to work for expansive in product and reach and is the only identifiable thing is that they are always changing? Think of a company like GE, there are so many parts of the business and may mean something to one person or consumer such as a stove that is entirely different to another like the instruments they manufacture for other business. Verizon is like that; we are not just the communication aspect telecom but the future of information technologies. You may want to build your resume with experience so that when you come to a more diversified company you are ready to move with the company as they explore their future. Best of luck to you!
Alicia’s Answer
I decided to work at Verizon because it matched my interest and passion at the time. I have a love for all things in the tech industry and when you look at the world many things have transitioned into the wireless world. Nearly every industry needs wireless solutions from carpenters to medical doctors. The growth in the industry is limitless. Other factors included tuition reimbursement, 401K matching, flexible hours, and the potential for growth. My best advice to you would be to step back and find your passion first then find the company that can best take those passions to infinite levels.
Brendon’s Answer
- Great compensation.
- Great benefits package.
- Good boss.
- Comfy work environment.
- Freindly work environment.
Carol’s Answer
Rani’s Answer
Hello ..There will be different kind of companies based on the services.for example in Networking ..Vodafone is service based company and CISCO is product based company.So we can choose the company based on service what they are offering to the customers.
Nathan’s Answer
Afshan’s Answer
Personally, I will first look at Work Life Balance, work culture and whether management encouraging the employees for innovation
Dominique’s Answer
Great question! Choosing the company you want to work for is almost like choosing the best college for yourself. Doing research on the company and comparing what they provide to what you desire is the best thing. You may not always get a 100% match, but you decide with what will work best for you and make you happy. If you are happy at the company you end up choosing, work won't feel much like work. Some qualities to look for are tuition assistance (if you are considering to continue your education), medical benefits, work flexibility, and career advancement. You can definitely inquire about the salary, but don't make that your only focus, because sometimes you may get the money you want, and not be happy where you are.
Aqueelah’s Answer
Hi,
I researched Verizon online and made sure it had the benefits that I was looking for. I am also big on reading other people's opinions of he company so I considered, what others had to say as well. I used such sites a glassdoor.com.
Sharon’s Answer
Patrick’s Answer
Roland’s Answer
I chose what company to work for based off their mission statement as well as who was leading the industry in the field i chose to go into. I wanted to associate myself with a company that had the same beliefs and core values that I have and live by. I wanted a company that would believe in me as much as I was willing to believe in them.
Julius’s Answer
First you must find out what's important to you. Take some time to think about all the things that you found fun in your previous employment or schooling experiences, then try and find a job that will at least let you do some of them. For example, I really enjoyed learning new concepts, I find myself getting really bored and putting less effort in when I do something that's very repetitive or not mind stimulating, so I tried to find a company/position that would allow me to continuously train and learn.
Julius recommends the following next steps:
Naveen’s Answer
First identify the field that you want to work. Build a strong foundation in the field you are interested in and keep yourself up to date on the filed you are interested in.
While you are still in college try to get internships, this will help you figure out what you want to do as well as what you are looking for in a company/job.
Internships will help give you more real-world experience than your college classes
when it comes to choosing which company to work, i suggest to work with the companies which work with the latest trends in market,
always remain in demand and face day to day challenges. Being a part of such teams teaches you a lot and exponentially raises your learning curve.
It can be straining at times, so you must have a look at the work life balance that the employees of the company experience before deciding to join them.
Best of luck !!!
Valerie’s Answer
Hi Ali-
Before coming to Verizon as a part time employee, 10 years ago, I was their customer first! This may not always be the case with any company you look at, but I urge you to consider, is it somewhere you would bring your business? Do they treat their internal/external customers in a way that is consistent with how you would want to be reconized in business? We have a credo that we operate under-it keeps us at the highest integrity when dealing with our customers and how we act as corporate citizens. This means a lot to me!
While it didn't seem as important when I started with the company, I had a lot of people tell me about the benefits and how competitive they were....now that I have a family of my own-I understand what they were talking about! The health and welness of their employees is important to them and it shows in our insurance coverage and employee assistance programs that are offered to us!
Best of luck to you in your future!
Freddie’s Answer
Wow what an interesting question to have! My first job that dealt with technology was at Best Buy. I wanted to work here because they are a one stop shop for many technology products from different companies. While working there, we had an Apple representative that took the time and effort to help me grow in my role, and Integrated Apple technology into my workflow. I had been to a Apple Store twice to receive technical assistance, and was blown away from the assistance received. I also used Apple computers at school for film. So since I had a background with Apple technology, and 3 great experiences with their employees, I knew that I wanted to be able to provide that same experience to others through Apple. I became an Apple expert at Best Buy, and the expressions on people's faces after they purchased their first Apple product just meant so much to me!
5 interviews at three different stores later, I am now a Technical Specialst at an Apple store and I can see how much better my quality of work is, because I love my job, the people I work with, the products I work with, and the people I work for within the community. It is so great to take a big part in people's lives and help resolve their issues with a smile!
Chase what and who you are passionate for, and don't be afraid to start at the "bottom". Best of luck to you!!
Susan’s Answer
I was fortunate that my mother encouraged me to move out on my own! Not being able to make it working retail, I applied in telecom and over the last 29 years have worked hard to learn and work up through Verizon to gain knowledge that has empowered me to move forward in various roles within the company!
Looking back, a wiser move would have been to go to college and get my degree first! Verizon has been an amazing company to work for but nothing replaces the experience you gain in college by meeting new people and being able to apply the advanced degree in the workplace.
Debashree’s Answer
Appreciate your focus on technology but chosing a company plays an important part of your life and thus gets confusing. You need to know which technology interests you.More specific you are with the technology, your hunt for the right company gets closer.
Following things I looked into before choosing the company:
- Which technology interests me? Is this company a market leader in my interested technology?
- How is the work culture and market reviews?
- Does it gives proper pay hikes as per market standard?
- Is talent appreciated?
It really worked out for me and hope this helps you too. All the best!!
Jaypal’s Answer
Criteria 1: Work profile company is offering (is it aligned with your skills/passion/education/expertise)
Criteria 2: Company's work culture (you can get to know from current employees, your friends/colleagues/seniors who joined that company)
Criteria 3: Company's/job location
Criteria 4: Amenities/ facilities/ CTC offerings
Criteria 5: Brand Value
There can be many further criteria, mentioned few.. Also depends, at what stage of career phase you are (About to enter in professional world, early in career, mid level in career, senior person seeking for growth), accordingly your preferences and priorities may change!
Hope you will find this helpful All the best Ali
덕윤’s Answer
Neha’s Answer
Nice question ! If one is clear about future goals then researching on which companies will help achieve those goals would be helpful. Larger companies have better structure, policies , compensations and benefits in place . All of us want to work for such organizations and not all may land up in their dream company. Also those who did land up in their dream company may not be happy with the kind of work they are doing.
Acheivement of career goals and job satisfaction drives a person's association with any organization. If not clear regarding a job position do ask interviewer what the role is the hiring for , what will be the responsibilities associated with the role. They will be helpfull in making a decision whether to accept the offer or not. To get started with if job helps gain some experience in your intersted stream go for it. Each year of experience counts as years go by.
All the best !
Theresa (Tisa)’s Answer
You have a lot of answers but I thought i would chime in. I have worked for many companies over the years and in 3 different career fields.
I personally think that the first thing you should use to decide is the what point of your life/career are you in. The time of life tends to have a big impact in considering companies. In my late 20's, I had the choice of either working for a small city company that all the locations were only in that city or a company that was doing military contracting and i would have the chance to travel around the world. If that job choice came to me today, at 53 years of age, I would have chosen the local company. But in my 20's it was a great time to choose a more daring and exciting job that would give me travel.
The next thing to take into consideration for technology companies, specifically, is how progressive they are. Research the companies. Are they on the cutting edge or are they primarily a product company and put very little investment into the growth of their technology.
Also consider the environment and culture of the company. It needs to suit you. If it is a very stiff office with little flexibility or personality to it, and you are an active, outgoing and creative person, that may not work well for you. Do they invest in growing their employees or do they just hire and exist only on the existing technology. Do they value diversity. these are all questions for you to consider and how important they are to you.
The last item i would list is company stability. If you are young, it may be ok to look at start ups. As you get older, you may want to look at more stable companies.
I hope these help.
Good Luck
Christine’s Answer
Think about how you like to work. I chose a larger company because they are typically very structured and rule driven. They tend to always be in a state of change and improvement. I like the structure and want a challenge, like how can I improve this process. A larger company may offer perks like matching retirement savings, a cafeteria and gym inside your building. On the flip side, if you are a more creative type, the structure of a large company may be limiting for you. you may prefer a smaller, more personal company, that gets to know you and can work with your creativity. They may be more open to new ideas.
Office culture is also very important. Read the company's website to see what is important to them. What do they value? What is their mission? Do you agree with their values and mission? Then look for a career opportunity and apply!
Vipul’s Answer
Everyone wants to work with a company which pays high but higher pay alone doesn't guarantee that it would suit me in long term. So the one thing which I looked for is the kind of technologies I will be working with in the given role of a company.
When companies work with age old technologies, it affects your career badly. You don't remain competitive with market standards. Your knowledge is no longer in demand and thus you will be stuck in same company for lifelong. Since companies also cant find new market with old technologies, you stop getting hikes and promotions.
On the other hand, companies which work with the latest trends in market, always remain in demand and face day to day challenges. Being a part of such teams teaches you a lot and exponentially raises your learning curve. It can be straining at times, so you must have a look at the work life balance that the employees of the company experience before deciding to join them.
Vipul recommends the following next steps:
Kristen’s Answer
I was actually lucky, my career started with a company where I was 4th generation in my family to work for Telecommunications. As I was deciding on if I should go work for my company while I was in college, I looked at a few things. Where is the company at stability wise, what are the benefits, do they have education assistance program (they paid for most of my MBA), do they have annual payroll increases, do they have promotion opportunities, and do they have retirement. The earlier you start retirement savings the better off you will be come retirement time, even if it is a few years down the road.
Stephanie’s Answer
Like many others have stated, you need to know what you want and what will make you happy. And this may change over time. For me, a company's mission, culture, working environment and industry were important. However, I also knew that wherever I worked, it was important that I had opportunities to grow and learn. Now that I am married with a family, I would definitely say that benefits are towards the top of my list as is work/life balance. When I was single, I loved having to travel anywhere and at anytime. Today, as much as I would love to still be able to do that, my priorities have changed. Just remember, this about you and what will make you happy. For some it may just simply be about the money and others about stability and long-term growth. If I were you I would make a list of what values are important to you and use that list to help guide you. All the best!
Kei’s Answer
Here are some of the factors I considered when I chose the company I worked for in the past and currently.
1. Culture - I research what type of culture the company had and make sure that they promote equal opportunities (diversity and inclusion), they treat their employees professionally and have an open door policy
2. Type of Industry - depending on the filed that you wanted to pursue, I've always considered companies with laser focus on the course I finished
3. People - I review blogs and even company ratings to check how the companies are treating their employees
4.. Training - I value developing myself more so I also consider companies that provide learning and personal development
For some, depending on the need, they also look at the compensation and benefits. Others look at proximity too.
Ian’s Answer
Keri’s Answer
Great Question! Research is key to finding the company/organization that works best for you. You need to determine does the culture, size, location, policies are things that meet what is important to you. Also, what about job growth, opportunities, and benefits! Remember, you spend a lot of your waking hours here so you need to make sure you are comfortable with the fit. The other big thing that may initially sway you is the current opportunities.. so getting in if they are hiring in your field! Good luck in your search!
Howard’s Answer
Kaustubh’s Answer
I think most of us had this question as we started sitting for placements in college. And most people from my experience, had no idea what type of job they wanted to do, since we undergraduates had no industry experience whatsoever. One of the best pieces of advice my senior gave me was to not compare yourself to others, and give into peer pressure. Unlike examinations, the placement process in colleges are highly unpredictable, and it doesn't always happen that the person with the best GPA is the one to get the job. Placements are not a competition, and this is something that everyone needs to understand, since most of us have been brought up in a very competitive environment thanks to the Indian education system. So basically, don't get pressured to register for a particular company just because your friends are going for it, even if the pay is good. Some people get placed during the first week of placements, and some get placed only after a few months of attempting placements, it is totally normal. Read up about the company and the job role they are offering, talk to people who may have an idea and see if you'd be interested in it.
The salary package obviously was a big part of my decision making process, but not the main factor. I registered for all companies that offered more than a certain minimum package(that I had set for myself), since personally I was very open to everything, and didn't have any specific preferences.
During your job interview, enquire as much as you can about the job description they are offering, and try to understand whether it suits your strengths and interests. Remember, that it's not the company that is "picking" you, well of course they are, but that is only half of the story, you should decide whether that company suits you too! It's like match-making. So be clear to the interviewer about what kind of work you want or don't want, and if it's a good match, then your chances of getting into that company are highly likely!
So mainly, just be honest to yourself and to the interviewer, and that will lead to you finding the best possibly match! If you don't get through the first few interviews, don't be bummed out, because the important thing is to find a job that suits you, so be patient, and good luck :)
Patricia’s Answer
Hi Ali,
I was in your same shoes 7years ago where do I go..I got offers from several companies but what was my determining factor was I could see the big picture with Verizon. I believed and believe in our products my belief in product got me halfway there to success. I can't express how happy I am with my decision Verizon has truly made me a better individual. The leaders, training and company is phenomenal. During this time I would think about your goals and what company will help you get there. There are several Technology companies you can work with but which one can you believe in. With your pursuit in technology I am sure you would like to stay up with the latest technology. What better company to come on board with to learn hands on about new technology and be able to change lives with it.
Kate’s Answer
Great Question! When I graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering I knew I wanted to stay in the engineering field but did not know what I wanted to do. The best thing to do is try to get internships while still in college. This will help you figure out what you want to do as well as what you are looking for in a company/ job. Internships will help give you more real-world experience than your college classes will as well. My senior year I applied to a bunch of jobs that were all very different. I ended up going with a job that was a rotational program meaning I got to move each year to a new place and try a new job. This was perfect for me since I wanted to travel and I was not sure what I wanted to do so being able to do different jobs helped me determine what my skills were plus what I enjoyed doing.
Don't worry about choosing the wrong company right out of college. If you work somewhere for a year or two and decide you don't like it you can always look for a job elsewhere.
Kellen’s Answer
One other thing to keep in mind -- your first job may not be your dream job, but every experience is an opportunity to grow and learn. Finding a company that supports your aspirations and provides chances for you to try new things is a great place to start. Knowing what you DON'T want can be just as helpful in finding what you do want.
Good luck on the hunt!
Alena’s Answer
For new grads it may be especially useful to join a company that has established internship, co-op or apprenticeship programs because you can learn from more experienced colleagues.
Money is obviously important but I can tell from my own experience that it rarely makes up for a toxic culture.
Dawnyale’s Answer
Benefits were huge for me, as companies who provide them seem to also provide the best work-life balance and opportunity for advancement into other positions. I looked for a company that had a good retirement plan, health insurance, and tuition assistance so that I could finish my education. I also think it's important to work for a company in a field that you are passionate about in order to foster your success from day-one.
Wishing you the best of luck in your future!
Dawnyale
Srikanth’s Answer
Hello Ali ,
very interesting question , with respect to choosing which company to choose, personally I believe you should first identify the field that you want to work in , not always you will be getting placement or opportunity in the most desired company that excites you , also you might not like the work culture or ethics of the company once you join.
So first choose the line of business that you would like to work , opt for a career that you enjoy doing, learn the nuances of the field , first phase of any career is always about learning and gaining knowledge about the work . building a strong foundation is very important to have a successful career . so opt for any company where you can gain & improve your process knowledge .
Enjoy your work , gain more knowledge, keep your self updated about the new trends in your field . every company will be a dream company to work .
Best of luck .
Vandana’s Answer
Ali,
I love the work I do. To be honest, I dreamt about the kind of work I wanted to do, the kind of creative and intelligent people I wanted to be surrounded by, and the kind of work environment that would give me a high.
And, always the right companies picked me.
Wishing you a great career ahead!
Hanish’s Answer
Hi Hanish! Thanks for your answer. I think the spirit of the student’s question was about how you went about deciding to work at the company that you work at. For example, if you applied to many jobs, were you accepted to more than 1? If so, how did you choose between them? It may also help the student to know if you applied to every open job you qualified for, or if you only selected a few — and if so, what affected that decision? Thanks in advance, and let us know if you can speak to these details 😁
Alexandra Carpenter, Admin
Jay’s Answer
a. Project: Decide if you are really interested the project. Does it align with your career aspirations.
b. People: You manager and your colleagues are key in terms of your career progression. See if you manager can be more of mentor and how can can you learn from your colleagues. Never be the smartest person on the room
c. Pay: Make sure your paid proportional to you skill set.
Randi’s Answer
And find something that truly excited you, having something that you're passionate about at work makes it so much more rewarding.
Vivek’s Answer
This is very important thing for students who will be appearing to interviews. Because once you join the company, it will help you reshape your life. Going in right direction- both in personal and professional life is very important to maintain work life balance.
I chose Cisco because I knew this is one of the best company to work for. It's culture is very rich and employee friendly. I got all this information from my college seniors who were working at Cisco. So I would suggest you do following things -
- List down companies as per pay/culture/your interest
- Read employee Reviews/Perks for those companies online (Glassdoor)
- Follow those companies on social media, read what they are doing
Joanne’s Answer
When I started at the telephone company I was hired as a part time employee. Next month I will be with VERIZON for 39 years. If you decide to go to a corporation remember that they may have different departments and services that you can move around and feel like you are working a whole new job without leaving the company. GOOD LUCK in your job search!!