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How to get a job at a top tech companies?

The biggest names in tech offer a lot of perks competitive salaries, growth opportunities, and a major boost for your resume. But how can you land a job with top tech companies like Apple, Meta, Amazon, or Microsoft?

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Tech companies look for certain technical skills, experience, and qualities during the interview process. Our guide offers a roadmap to strengthen your skills, make your resume stand out, and shine during your interviews.

How to get a job at a top tech companies?

If you want to work at a large tech company, you need to know what tech companies look for in job applicants. Whether you want to be an Amazon software engineer or seek a non-technical role at Sony or an Alphabet Inc. company, these tips will help.

Start a digital notebook of research, learnings, and tips

Tech jobs require specific skills. What's the best way to track what you've learned, company research, and interview tips? A digital notebook.

Include sections on programming or coding tips, definitions of technical terms, and descriptions of projects you've completed. You can also add:
  • Research into tech companies and their missions
  • Examples of hard and soft skills from your work experience
  • Questions that might come up in job interviews

Tools like Evernote, OneNote, or Notion can help you organize your digital notebook. And it will come in handy when you're building a resume and prepping for job interviews.

Invest in getting the experience you need

Big tech companies look for job candidates with a certain background. While you'll need strong technical skills, companies also look at your professional experience.

Working for a startup, freelancing, completing a tech internship, and working for smaller tech companies can all help you land a job at a major tech company.
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Consider a "lily pad" company a smaller company where you can gain the experience necessary to work in big tech. Spending one to five years building up your resume and gaining experience at other companies may help you land an interview and job at a major company.

And consider that many of the big tech employers prefer to hire senior-level roles. Gain experience at the junior level elsewhere before moving into a major company.

Seek out informational interviews

An informational interview helps you learn more about a company, its hiring process, and its expectations. If you know anyone working at a big tech company, ask whether they're willing to answer questions in an informational interview.

Plan out your questions or email them in advance. And send along a copy of your resume. Ask about their prior experience and the interview process. You can also ask for tips or suggestions.

Use your network to identify people for informational interviews. Or reach out via LinkedIn or other networking sources to politely ask for time.

You will need to stand out from other applicants

How can you stand out from other applicants? Major tech companies see thousands of resumes. What will set you apart?

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Avoid gimmicks. Instead, consider anything unique in your background or skills. Or start an unusual new project that will help you stand out. Record a tech podcast, create unique open-source code, or launch a side project that brings in users. Or found your own company.

Did you work for a high-growth startup? Or a company that made headlines? That can also help you stand out.

Demonstrating your professional passions and coming across as interesting will help you stand out during the interview process.

Optimize your resume

In the best-case scenario, a recruiter from a big tech company will reach out to you. But in most cases, you'll submit a resume. How can you make it past the screening process?

Make sure to optimize your resume for both applicant tracking system screenings and people reading it. Quantify your experience whenever possible. List your tech stack, including the version of each program. And incorporate keywords from the job listing.
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Avoid lengthy descriptions and blocks of text. Do not include multiple pages, particularly early in your career. And avoid passive language by including action verbs in your bullet lists.

Networking is critical

Networking plays a crucial role in landing a job at a big tech company. Having a referral often means your application passes the initial screening and lands on the desk of a hiring manager or recruiter. But first, you must get to know tech workers who might refer you.

Consider joining professional organizations and participating in outreach or mentorship programs. And brush up on your networking tips to make the most of your time.

Only apply for roles where you fit all qualifications

When a major tech company lists requirements, make sure you fit them. Does the role require Java 17, but you've only worked with earlier versions? Then brush up on your skills before applying.

You'll be competing with others who meet the qualifications, so make sure you do, too. That might mean gaining experience at a smaller company before jumping to a major tech company.

Start preparing early and thoroughly for technical interviews

Technical interviews are one of the most intimidating parts of the hiring process. So start preparing early.

That means practicing your tech skills, particularly in areas where you're weaker. It also means learning about the technical interview process at your target companies.

Each major company uses a slightly different process to measure technical skills. Research the types of questions you might face and find people who've completed technical interviews in your area. People may share interview questions they've encountered on the company's Glassdoor page.

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Learn everything you can about what to expect so you can plan ahead. It's also smart to read up on common computer science interview questions.

Fine-tune your interview skills

Big tech companies often use several rounds of interviews. After an initial phone screen, you might have a second interview with the hiring manager, a tech interview, and meetings with key team members. Fine-tuning your interview skills will give you the confidence you need to stand out.

Prepare a quick pitch that includes your background and why you want to work for the company. Bring in the research you've done into the company's goals and what you can bring to the team.

You'll also need specific examples to demonstrate your hard and people skills. Check out our interview tips for more advice.

Don't be surprised if you apply and interview multiple times before landing a job

Many tech professionals apply multiple times before landing an interview at a big tech company. And many interview multiple times before receiving a job offer. Don't get discouraged. Instead, expect the process to take time.

Keep honing your skills and perfecting your job application and your coding portfolio. And keep working toward your professional goals.