How to get a job at a major tech company
Stephen Wenn, a Consulting Engineer at Cisco, shares his career journey and offers advice on how to land a job at a major tech company.
Aug 22, 2024 • 10 Minute Read
Stephen Wenn is a Consulting Engineer at Cisco with over a decade of experience in IT infrastructure and networking. Before joining Cisco in 2022, Stephen held key roles as a Lead Infrastructure Engineer for the UK Civil Service and as a Senior Enterprise Network Consultant at VCG.
Breaking into the tech industry can feel daunting, especially if you're dreaming of working for a household name like Google, Microsoft, or Cisco. The thought of joining a global tech leader—and having that achievement forever stamped on your resume—is exciting for many. But how do you actually make it happen?
In this blog, I’ll share my personal journey of how I got a job at Cisco, a company valued at over $100 billion and recognized as the world’s largest manufacturer and vendor of networking equipment. I’ll talk about what it’s like working for a tech giant, and give practical advice for those looking to start (or advance) their careers in technology.
- A bit about my story: How I got an engineering job at Cisco
- What is it like to work for a big tech company?
- Does being in a tech company pay well? Are there any fringe benefits?
- Can I get into a big tech company right out of college?
- What should I highlight in my resume or during interviews?
- What should I expect in a technical interview for a big company?
- Can personal projects help me get a job in a tech company?
- Is it easy to get remote development work at a larger tech company?
- Conclusion
A bit about my story: How I got an engineering job at Cisco
I actually didn’t start off in IT infrastructure. Instead, I began as a Communications Systems Operator in the Royal Corps of Signals, the part of the British Army that handles military communications.
About ten years ago, I decided to make the switch to IT. But, like many others, I quickly realized how tough it can be to land a tech job without the right skills and experience.
After getting this feedback from a few early interviews, I turned to Pluralsight to dive into Microsoft and Cisco technologies. I set up a home lab, learned how to configure Microsoft Active Directory (AD), and practiced building simple networks with Cisco Packet Tracer. Once I had these skills on my resume, I finally got my break, landing my first IT role with a small provider in the UK.
From there, my career progressed step by step. I moved from a small IT provider to progressively larger companies, including some work with the government as an Infrastructure Engineer. Along the way, I kept studying, taking vendor exams in Cisco and Microsoft, and steadily building up my knowledge and credentials.
Two years ago, I decided to throw my hat in the ring for a job at Cisco. After a rigorous but fair recruitment process, I secured a position as a full-time Consulting Engineer.
What is it like to work for a big tech company?
Challenging, but highly rewarding. You’re compensated with both a market-leading salary and world-class benefits. The total compensation package typically surpasses what smaller organizations can offer. Beyond compensation, the career ladder and project opportunities are remarkable.
Many large tech companies embrace the philosophy of “One company, many careers.” This means you can get your foot in the door as an engineer, then transition into product management, leadership or another role over time.
In terms of projects, depending on your role, you could be working with and advising some of the world’s largest companies. This often involves tackling large, complex projects that are incredibly rewarding. At Cisco, I quickly realized that early-career engineers are exposed to projects on a scale far beyond what I encountered at smaller companies. As a result, they quickly develop into highly skilled professionals.
Does being in a tech company pay well? Are there any fringe benefits?
The tech industry is known for offering highly competitive compensation packages that often surpass those in other sectors. Beyond attractive salaries, tech companies provide a range of fringe benefits that make working in this field even more rewarding.
Business stock
Many tech companies offer business stock, rewarding employees with large amounts of high-value stock either upon employment or during business reward cycles, which takes a period of time to vest. This benefit provides financial incentives and gives employees a sense of ownership and investment in the company’s success.
Learning opportunities
Continuous learning is central to tech culture, with many companies offering tuition reimbursement programs. These programs support employees in pursuing further education without financial strain, promoting ongoing professional development.
Annual bonuses
Annual bonuses are a common feature in tech compensation packages, tied to individual performance and company profitability. These bonuses can significantly boost yearly earnings and motivate employees to meet and exceed performance goals.
Recognition programs
Recognition programs play a vital role in maintaining a positive work environment. Tech companies often celebrate employee achievements and work anniversaries with special events or rewards, fostering a sense of community and loyalty.
Remote work and flexibility
Flexibility is a hallmark of the tech industry, with companies offering remote work options, flexible hours, and the ability to work from anywhere. This flexibility helps employees maintain a better work-life balance and increases job satisfaction.
Good PTO and holiday packages
Tech companies also provide generous paid time off and holiday packages. Beyond standard PTO, employees often enjoy additional company-wide holidays, ensuring ample opportunities to rest and recharge.
Can I get into a big tech company right out of college?
Yes, you can. One pathway straight into a big tech company is by doing a degree-level apprenticeship. These combine practical work experience with academic study in a “earn as you learn” model, and since the tech companies are partnering with the universities to get graduates, experience is not a barrier.
One example of this is Cisco’s Degree Apprenticeship Program. It’s been running for over 13 years, and approximately 80% of graduates who participated have either secured jobs within Cisco or with partnering organizations in the tech industry. I would highly recommend this type of program for students looking to jump right from study to working for a large tech company.
What should I highlight in my resume or during interviews?
Clearly list your relevant technical skills to the role. Be prepared to discuss these skills in detail, providing examples of projects where you applied them and the outcomes achieved. Demonstrating practical application is essential. Highlight any practical experience, including internships, co-op programs, or relevant work history.
Make sure to be specific and use the STAR method
When you’re writing about your previous experience, focus on specific tasks, responsibilities, and the impact you had on projects or teams. During interviews, emphasize your hands-on experience, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and showcase your contributions.
Be ready to prove your problem-solving skills
You need to highlight your problem-solving abilities on your resume—think tackling complex challenges through coursework, and any personal projects or professional experiences where you used these skills. During the interview, be prepared to face questions around how you’ve solved problems in the past, or how you’d solve hypothetical problems they present you with.
When you’re discussing how you solve problems, make sure to clearly articulate your thought process. Discuss both your successes and failures, and how you learned from these to do things differently in the future.
Show them you’re a continuous learner
Technology is an ever-evolving field which means continuous learning is crucial for success. Show that you’re a life-long learner by listing your certificates, courses, or self-learning initiatives— all of these demonstrate your commitment to keeping up with the latest technologies and trends.
Quantify, quantify, quantify
Quantify your achievements and impact whenever possible. Use metrics to highlight the results of your work, such as increased efficiency, reduced costs, or improved performance. By focusing on these key areas you can make a strong impression and improve your chances of landing a job at a major tech company.
What should I expect in a technical interview for a big company?
Technical interviews at major tech companies are multifaceted, evaluating your technical ability, personal competencies, interests, experience, and aptitude to learn.
You can expect questions covering a wide range of skills and attributes.
1. Behavioral questions
Behavioral questions are crucial. Companies want to understand how you work in teams, handle challenges, and align with their values. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you demonstrated key competencies. Early-career candidates should expect questions about their aptitude, interests, projects, and how they stay updated with technical news.
2. Technical questions
Technical questions specific to the job will also arise, covering areas like databases, networking, or programming languages. Demonstrating depth of knowledge and practical application is crucial.
If you're early in your career, highlight your learning portfolio; projects, education, volunteering or part-time work. Later in career your experience weighs heavier, but do not exclude the extracurricular activities that you do.
3. Cultural fit
Companies will also assess your cultural fit through informal conversations and team interviews. They want to see how well you align with their values and work environment. Being genuine and showing how your goals match the company’s mission can set you apart.
Can personal projects help me get a job in a tech company?
Absolutely. This is a tried and true method that works whether or not you’re going for an entry-level IT position, or you’re a seasoned professional seeking to switch directions. Even when advancing your career in the same field, working on a recognized project can make you stand out.
When I was struggling to land my first IT role, I completed the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) course on Pluralsight and built a lab in Cisco Packet Tracer alongside for my hands-on learning. I included these skills on my resume, which set me apart from other applicants.
As you learn new skills, create a portfolio of projects and add them to your resume. Show your interest, be proactive, and keep learning. Also, don’t overlook volunteering or part-time opportunities. These experiences can be valuable, especially in large tech companies like Google, which often appreciate extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment and skills to the industry.
Is it easy to get remote development work at a larger tech company?
When working for large tech companies like Cisco and Microsoft, many roles offer remote or hybrid options, even if it’s not explicitly stated in job postings. It's worth applying for your desired position and discussing working arrangements with the recruiter. Don’t rule out a job because remote work isn’t mentioned.
My current role is predominantly remote working, and this was not listed on the advert. I applied for the role, asked the question to the recruiter, and have a better work/life balance as a result.
Conclusion
Securing a tech role at a major company is challenging, but completely achievable and very rewarding. If you want to secure one of these dream roles, be proactive in your learning, stay curious, seek opportunities, and don’t be afraid of a setback. If you keep working at it, eventually you will succeed.
I’d encourage you to explore the blogs below here at Pluralsight, as they offer some great advice you can use on your journey to getting a job at a major tech company:
