While you may have visions of a Sony PlayStation showing up under the Christmas tree, some job seekers are looking to work at a global company like Sony Network Entertainment International in 2016.
SNEI was founded in 2010 and is a core Sony business, delivering cutting edge digital entertainment experiences, like the incredibly popular PlayStation Network. So what does it take to get a job at SNEI and deliver content to their 65 million users? We asked Keira Schumake, Sr. Recruiter, Human Resources for some insight.
What to do you look for in a new hire?
We typically examine two areas when recruiting technical talent. First, is this person passionate about our industry and products? This often comes through when I hear candidates talking about their passion for digital content in the entertainment and gaming industries. Second, does this person fit within the culture of our organization? The types of candidates we are looking for have the ability to think about the customer first and adapt to changes with ease.
What makes someone's application stand out?
Our recruiters want to see clear and concise descriptions of the projects the candidate has been working on, including the software and apps they’ve created. We are always looking for candidates that keep up with the ever-changing technology landscape, that have worked in eCommerce and other always-on environments.
What do you expect candidates to know about the company before an interview?
A great starting point is an understanding of what we do from a high level as well as the products and services that we offer on PlayStation Network. We delight millions of customers around the world so we want a candidate to have an appreciation for how we scale to meet the demands of our growing user base.
What's a common mistake people make in interviews and don't know it?
A common mistake that I see people make during the interview process is relying heavily on technical skills and not letting their personalities show. We are always looking for strong technical talent but it’s just a portion of the hiring criteria. Culture fit and personality are equally as important.
What are some of the most in-demand skills for working at a tech company today? Do most jobs require a specific degree?
For us, the most in-demand skill sets are the front-end engineering skill sets (ember, Node.JS, JavaScript, ETC), information security skillsets, backend technologies, and Big Data technologies.
How difficult is it to hire top tech talent in this market?
The market for top technical talent in the San Francisco Bay Area is extremely competitive but we find that candidates are attracted by the allure and excitement of working at a renowned global brand like PlayStation Network. Most candidates have multiple offers to consider so our interview process has become a two-way dialogue. We are interviewing the candidate for skills and fit, and the candidate is interviewing us to determine if they can see themselves on our team.
