It’s been a little over 2 years since I joined Thoughtworks as a recruiter.
A lot has been said about Thoughtworks’ dauntingly different culture. I had heard about it as well. So when I first came here, I was unsure about what to expect and if I would gel with fellow Thoughtworkers.
It’s not uncommon to meet at least 8 to 10 Thoughtworkers as part of the interview process before you get hired. It is often believed that we care only about the results of the technical rounds. However, there’s a method to our madness. It is important for us to know and reconfirm that the candidate shares similar values and beliefs that we as an organization do.
The company cares deeply about advocating for social justice and Thoughtworkers are never shy of sharing their views about social issues. Feedback too, is an essential part of our culture - expect regular feedback exchanges with other Thoughtworkers. So, by the end of our interview process, you’ll probably know if this is something that suits you and if we are ready for each other.
Ultimately, we’re looking for someone who has a passion for technology and a healthy dose of irreverence for the status quo. If you make it through our interview process, it’s because you convinced us that we are a great fit. If not, it’s not the end of the road. There’s always a second chance and either way, we’ll exchange feedback with you.
Thoughtworks has an aspirational goal to better humanity and help drive a socially and economically just world. And every Thoughtworker has a part to play in it. So we put a lot of thought into every hire we make at the company. By the time you finish with our interview process though, you’ll realize that it’s not as “difficult” as it is made out to be.
A lot has been said about Thoughtworks’ dauntingly different culture. I had heard about it as well. So when I first came here, I was unsure about what to expect and if I would gel with fellow Thoughtworkers.
I remember my interview process vividly. Just as every nervous candidate would, I tried unceasingly to look for that one page on the internet that would give me even the slightest understanding of the Thoughtworks interview process. All I could find was information about coding rounds, technical rounds and everything to do with hiring developers. As it eventually turned out, just being myself worked out and here I am at Thoughtworks.
Demystifying the Thoughtworks Interview
There is a perception that Thoughtworks is amongst the toughest companies to get into. Being a part of the recruiting team, I now understand that we’re probably more selective than tough. To help demystify the Thoughtworks interview process, let me tell you that our recruiting process follows a philosophy of “show us what you can do”. And while there’s enough literature on the Internet on how to crack a Thoughtworks interview, the short answer to what we look for is originality and the ability to work through your solutions in a collaborative fashion.It’s not uncommon to meet at least 8 to 10 Thoughtworkers as part of the interview process before you get hired. It is often believed that we care only about the results of the technical rounds. However, there’s a method to our madness. It is important for us to know and reconfirm that the candidate shares similar values and beliefs that we as an organization do.
Standing Apart
Speaking of culture, it wouldn’t go unnoticed how different we are from other IT consulting companies. A simple way to excel in the interview process is to make sure that you’ve taken enough time to learn about us. Working at Thoughtworks is a conscious decision. Thoughtworkers take a keen interest in the company’s business and the organization itself is very transparent. We’re as flat as it gets when it comes to hierarchy in the organization. This shows up even in the open design of our offices where you might well find yourself sitting beside a CxO or an MD.
The company cares deeply about advocating for social justice and Thoughtworkers are never shy of sharing their views about social issues. Feedback too, is an essential part of our culture - expect regular feedback exchanges with other Thoughtworkers. So, by the end of our interview process, you’ll probably know if this is something that suits you and if we are ready for each other.
Ultimately, we’re looking for someone who has a passion for technology and a healthy dose of irreverence for the status quo. If you make it through our interview process, it’s because you convinced us that we are a great fit. If not, it’s not the end of the road. There’s always a second chance and either way, we’ll exchange feedback with you.
Thoughtworks has an aspirational goal to better humanity and help drive a socially and economically just world. And every Thoughtworker has a part to play in it. So we put a lot of thought into every hire we make at the company. By the time you finish with our interview process though, you’ll realize that it’s not as “difficult” as it is made out to be.
Disclaimer: The statements and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Thoughtworks.
