Large Tech Job Interview Ideas From an Account Exec at Meta, Salesforce

This as-told-to essay relies on a dialog with Selma Mouloudj, an account government at Salesforce in Dublin. It has been edited for size and readability.

I acquired a challenge administration job supply from Meta in 2021 whereas I used to be residing in London. I relocated to Dublin to simply accept the place in February 2022.

In 2023, I used to be affected by the worldwide layoffs and misplaced my job. I needed to begin over. Even after simply a short while at Meta, I had problem imagining working elsewhere.

I knew I wanted to search out work

After attempting to run my very own e-learning enterprise for six months, I noticed the company world was extra for me, so I began my job search once more.

This led me to a gross sales startup in Eire, however once more, I used to be affected by one other layoff. I used to be in that very same place, unsure about what to do subsequent.

I keep in mind considering, If I’ll be laid off once more, it ought to a minimum of be at a Large Tech firm as a result of then I will be supplied a package deal.

By means of these layoffs, I noticed how troublesome the job market was and the way aggressive issues can change into when finances cuts happen. Everyone seems to be competing for a similar roles, which suggests you actually need to search out methods to face out.

I landed at Salesforce after interviewing round Large Tech

I interviewed at Google, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Pinterest earlier than finally touchdown my present job at Salesforce.

The layoffs taught me quite a bit, however touchdown jobs at Meta and Salesforce and interviewing at a few of the greatest tech corporations on the earth additionally gave me worthwhile perception.

If you wish to stand out in Large Tech I like to recommend these six issues.

1. Quantify your résumé

One of many greatest methods to make your résumé stand out in Large Tech is by utilizing quantifiable metrics.

As an alternative of merely itemizing tasks, spotlight your affect with knowledge: “I drove development by 40% on this area” or “I labored on the French market and achieved 115% of my quota.”

All the time quantify and measure your success, after which showcase it. Large Tech corporations prioritize numbers and knowledge. In case your résumé lacks measurable outcomes, they will transfer on to the subsequent candidate.

2. Attend networking occasions

One of the crucial necessary classes I realized when job looking in Large Tech was how worthwhile networking is.

Many of the interviews I’ve landed have come from networking occasions, together with my job at Salesforce. After I interviewed at Google, I received the interview due to a buddy I made at a networking occasion, and after I interviewed at Pinterest, that was a networking connection, too.

Networking occasions provide you with direct entry to hiring managers, who would possibly join you with recruiters. Generally this connection may even aid you bypass the preliminary screening name, transferring you straight to the interview and technical check.

In case you get it, you get it. In case you do not, you strive once more. If you may make a superb impression, the hiring groups might contact you later and say, “Now we have a place open, and we expect you’d be a superb match.”

3. Construct relationships on-line

You too can community on-line however that also means constructing relationships with the particular person you want to have a job with, not simply DMing them as soon as. Do not head over to LinkedIn, slip into somebody’s DMS, and say, “Do you will have alternatives? Can I work with you?”

As an alternative, have interaction with leaders you wish to work with, touch upon their posts, and attempt to have interaction in conversations earlier than asking for assist.

While you’re ready the place you’ll be able to ask somebody for assist, and also you discover a job you are taken with, ship the job ID and politely ask in the event that they’d be keen to refer you. Large Tech corporations supply staff a bonus for profitable referrals — so if I refer you and also you get employed, I get a bonus.

4. By no means cease interviewing

While you’re job looking for, by no means cease interviewing — even for those who really feel assured about a suggestion.

Earlier than becoming a member of Salesforce, I acquired two job affords — one from Salesforce and one other. I finally selected the most effective supply.

There have been additionally instances after I made it to the ultimate spherical of an interview, just for the corporate to enter a hiring freeze. Or as soon as, an organization got here again and stated they by accident miscounted their head depend and actually could not afford to rent in spite of everything.

When issues like this occur, it is useful to have a Plan B or to have your identify on the market with multiple firm.

5. Observe up, however not desperately

After I was youthful, I did not have the emotional intelligence I wanted. After I received rejected from a job I needed, I might electronic mail the hiring supervisor and say, “Oh, my God. I actually needed this job.”

I’ve since realized to not make your self determined. As an alternative, after interviewing for a job, I merely ship a thank-you be aware.

If I wasn’t advised after I would hear again, I might wait roughly 5 enterprise days earlier than sending a brief follow-up electronic mail about our dialog.

6. Negotiate, and all the time know your price

Job interviews are nice for getting your foot within the door, however as soon as you’ve got confirmed your self and so they make you a suggestion, negotiate.

If I had identified higher at 25, I might’ve negotiated extra. Negotiation is not nearly wage — you too can focus on perks like distant work choices, schooling plans, or certifications to assist advance your profession. Some tech staff pursue MBAs or certifications whereas working, and it is all the time price asking about these alternatives.

One other space to think about is volunteer work. At Salesforce, staff obtain volunteer paid day without work — seven days of paid depart to assist a trigger or charity.

My recommendation to anybody interviewing in Large Tech is that this: In case you get a suggestion, push again. Say, “That is what I would like.” Even a ten% wage improve is a win. By no means accept the primary supply— as a substitute, all the time know your price, and do not be afraid to ask for it.