Pinpointing IBM’s exact area of expertise is a challenge, to say the least because the technology giant is prominent in so many fields. The company has been around for so long that they seem to be involved in every significant advancement in technology for the last 100 years.
If you are interested in being part of these developments, then perhaps you should consider a career with IBM. If you are already considering this career path, you’ve come to the right place, as we will discuss what it’s really like to apply to IBM.
We are going to take a look at how to go about applying for and getting a job at IBM, what qualifications you need, and how difficult the process is. So read on to find out if it is hard to get a job at IBM.
About IBM: Ins and Outs of the Company
The International Business Machines Corporation, also called IBM, has been in business for over a century. Because of this, they’ve been involved in some incredible technological advancements in fields like electronics, software, and hardware.
After their start by patenting impressive electronic gadgets and industrial machinery, IBM quickly became the company that we know today. These days, they run the gamut from helping predict the weather, curing diseases, and cleaning up our oceans.
They are one of the leading tech giants in the world. Let’s take a closer look at what working at IBM is like.
IBM’s Work Culture – What to Expect
There’s way more to this company than just computers. While that is how they made their name, IBM has since found a place in dozens of fields, from community outreach to sales.
Diversity
If one of your top priorities is inclusiveness, then IBM might be a fantastic company for you, as they prioritize diversity. The giant wants to ensure that every one of its employees feels comfortable and is allowed to succeed no matter their background.
And that’s not just lip service. Over the last year, amid the pandemic of COVID-19, IBM’s CEO stated that her company feels responsible for confronting the dangers and inequalities that the pandemic exposed.
Collaboration and Innovation
It should come as no surprise that IBM encourages a culture of technological advancement and innovation in their workspace. In turn, this support for innovation helps lead to a workplace culture of trust, collaboration, and openness.
You’ll be working alongside many other highly talented employees at IBM, developing new ways for us to view the world. This could involve creating new UI designs for IBM software to learning about artificial intelligence.
Highly Transferable Skills
Building attractive user interfaces and learning how to code are skills that can open many doors in life. These challenging skills are of paramount importance at a company such as IBM, where you’ll never really stop learning. As an employee, you’ll continually be required to experiment, and it’s no secret that this tech giant has made a name for itself by hiring the best employees in its field.
Working for IBM
Now that you understand a little more about why IBM is as successful as it is today let’s see how the company can bolster your career growth.
How Difficult is it to Get Hired at IBM?
The short answer: it isn’t easy. IBM could not be where it is today without only the strictest hiring standards. The company requires its employees to have a combination of raw skill and endless innovation, which means that only the best and brightest are applying for vacancies with this company.
Applying to IBM
You might be relieved to know that the IBM application process is quite straightforward.
Before you apply, you will need to make sure that your resume is updated. Be sure to include all of your relevant credentials and skills. As with any other job application, you can submit an online application after you have decided which position you are interested in.
You must refine and edit your resume before submitting it, or you may not make it further than the first step. IBM works with professional resume screeners who compare your resume with the position you are applying for, so be sure to include all of the proper skills listed in the job description.
If you are considered for an interview, you might also have to complete some online assessments. These are designed to gather information regarding your personality before your formal interview and can involve your coding skills, cognitive abilities, or proficiency in the English language.
These tests are quite standard, and if you pass them, you will be contacted for an interview. At this point, it is essential that you have researched the position you have applied for and IBM as a whole. During your interview, you’ll have the opportunity to impress the hiring managers with your knowledge of the field and how the company can help you achieve your career goals.
The format and content of these interviews can be quite varied. You might go through several phone interviews or only be interviewed once by a panel of hiring managers at IBM. The discussion that these managers have with you will be based on a list of behavioral interview questions that are regularly updated.
If you do well in the interview, you will be kept in contact with IBM. The only thing for you to do at that point is to wait for a callback.
Final Thoughts: What it Takes to Work at IBM
Whether you’re a developer, software engineer, or data analyst, working at IBM can offer unique and lucrative opportunities that you’ll struggle to find anywhere else. The company and the technology that they develop are constantly evolving. If you want to be successful, you will likely need to have several degrees under your belt and a strong skill set that relates to the position you have applied for.
We hope this guide will help you in your mission to work for IBM. Good luck!