The Notion of Specialness in Tech Giants: Is Working at Big Tech Companies Really Special?

Working at big tech companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, or any other leading tech firm often carries a certain connotation of prestige and achievement. However, as many employees will tell you, the reality may be far different from the hype. In this article, we delve into the true meaning of working in the tech industry, whether the perception of specialness is misplaced, and the role of hiring standards in shaping one's sense of uniqueness.

No Specialness in Mundane Work

Firstly, let's consider the experiences of employees from tech giants such as Amazon, where I, the writer, worked for a few months as a Software Development Engineer (SDE). Working at such a company is often perceived as unique and prestigious. However, the reality is that the work can be mundane, especially when compared to the rigorous hiring process that brings in top talent.

For instance, the big four tech companies (Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft) strictly raise their hiring bar to ensure that only the best, most competitive candidates join their ranks. This process instills a sense of privilege in the remaining applicants, creating a perception of specialness. However, despite these high standards, a significant portion of the work done by these companies is often routine, with contributions being either supplementary or experimental in nature.

Does Specialness Matter?

Here, the writer attests that the true sense of specialness can be found in the challenges faced in one's work and the caliber of one's coworkers, neither of which are necessarily defined by the company name. For instance, at Amazon, the writer felt that the quality of work and the competitiveness of the colleagues mattered more than the company's reputation. Similarly, other tech professionals argue that the feeling of specialness is often a marketing tactic used by companies to attract potential employees.

For example, “No. I might feel special if I actually owned a company like that but an employee is just an employee. We are often ostensibly made to feel special by these companies as an influencer as a means to marketing potential employees into wanting to work here or there but that’s a classic capitalist strategy that makes sense if you are a company because companies need workers.”

Google: A Special Place to Work?

Google, among other tech giants, treats its employees exceptionally well, and the hiring process is seen as one of the most challenging in the industry. This, in turn, fosters a sense of honor and privilege among employees. As a hiring manager, I can attest to the rarity of finding candidates who possess the right combination of intelligence, education, skills, and attitude that perfectly fit the company's needs. However, my perspective as a hiring manager does not negate the fact that the majority of employees are not exceptionally different from those in other industries or companies.

Even when considering the specific specialized skills required for a particular position, the notion of specialness remains a matter of perspective. For instance, there are many incredibly talented and hardworking individuals, particularly in underdeveloped regions, who never get the opportunity to work for a large American tech company. Similarly, numerous smart people work at other tech companies or in different industries, and there are many others who are simply not interested in working for large companies or who face bad luck during the interview process.

Impostor Syndrome: A Common Plague

Many employees at big tech companies suffer from "impostor syndrome", the feeling that they were hired by mistake and that they will eventually be discovered and fired. Impressively, this is not the case for the writer themselves. Through their role in the hiring process, the writer has a deep understanding of what an average resume looks like and how their own stands in comparison. This awareness helps them to feel secure in their position and the value they bring to the company.

For example, “Many Googlers struggle with impostor syndrome the feeling that you were hired by mistake and any day now they'll figure out and fire you. I don't have this myself because through my role in the hiring process I am very aware of what an average resume looks like and how mine compares.”

Conclusion

Ultimately, the perception of working at a big tech company as a special achievement is a subjective notion. While these companies offer unique experiences and opportunities, the true measure of an employee's worth lies in their contributions, the challenges they face, and the caliber of their coworkers. Furthermore, the rigorous hiring standards of these companies, while they bring in high-quality talent, can also create a climate of impostor syndrome, underscoring the importance of perspective and self-awareness.

In conclusion, working at a big tech company can be a rewarding experience, but the true mark of specialness is not found in the company's name or its reputation. It is in the quality of one's work, the challenges one faces, and the sense of privilege and honor gained through the experience of contributing to an industry that shapes the future of technology and society.