Top Skills Silicon Valley Companies Look For

[Source - Esquire Philippines]

Getting hired at Silicon Valley companies is a dream come true for professionals. There’s a considerable amount of disruption in the Silicon Valley companies' functioning & innovation capabilities. The Silicon Valley itself has been a pathfinder for change in the global digital market. Whether tech talent or soft skills talent, these companies look for some skills that their company believes in. There is always an unrevealed point that a company looks for in a candidate. It is the hunger to learn, to grow, & to go miles above the current designation. Of course, technical skills & soft skills do matter, but when the hiring process begins, the organization primarily observes the “will” in a potential candidate or an “innovative mindset”. 

Let’s explore the soft skills that some Silicon Valley companies look for in a potential candidate:

a. Logical thinking:

Critical or logical thinking is a component that employers in Silicon Valley companies look for. It depicts the ability of innovation, effective decision-making & spotting the root causes of prevailing issues. This thinking also highlights the creative streak in a candidate. When these companies hire, the employers ask tricky questions to candidates to evaluate if they can outsmart the question or the given situation or not.

b. Work ethos:

In Silicon Valley companies, the work ethos is a vital characteristic in potential candidates. A candidate with an unprofessional, immature, or unenthusiastic energy level is highly likely not to survive in that environment. In this environment, a candidate should be more than enthusiastic & proactive as this opportunity should be treasured. So many individuals strive day in & day out to be there but can’t get through.    

c. Emotional Quotient:

A moderate amount of emotional intelligence is an advantage. There are times when you need to be lenient in some situations. For eg, if a junior needs more time than given to complete a particular task which he/she is new at, the extra time frame can be given once or twice. This is just a small example of emotional intelligence.      

d. Fail, learn, repeat:

Carry a flexible mindset each day when you enter the office. Especially if you’re new to the silicon environment, being open to learn, & fail is utmost important. Agreed, you have a skillset due to which you’re standing in the silicon environment, but in that attitude, people often forget that this is just the beginning & they need to learn a lot more. Learning never stops; it is an endless journey.

Now that the soft skills part is done, we’ll shift to the technical skills part, which is significant in excelling at Silicon Valley companies:   

a. AI & Machine Learning

Some tasks are mechanical & monotonous, which do not require the human brain to intervene. Such tasks can be automated as they are unnecessarily arduous. Time is money. Both these factors are extremely crucial for humans & no compromise on it, isn’t it? To integrate these tasks automatically, components like artificial intelligence (AI) & machine learning (ML) are used intensely in Silicon Valley companies. The fast-paced environment compels you to initiate such technical expertise.

b. Cloud computing:

The highest benefit of cloud computing skills is the operational benefits & its cost-effective capability. Besides this, it also has an indispensable security-enabled technology that saves data & maintains the privacy of essential data. The cloud infrastructure also diminishes the carbon footprint, which makes it more energy-efficient as compared to traditional data centers.

c. Data Science:

Data science holds vital importance in Silicon Valley companies as it is necessary to understand consumer behavior, preferences, & needs. This helps brands to modify their products & services combined with their marketing efforts to better meet customer demands. It is leveraged in several aspects like supply chain management, inventory control & valuable offerings.

d. DevOps:

Reliable software & reliability are vital for Silicon Valley companies. Employers want to accelerate innovation, enhance communication & collaboration among teams, for the betterment of operational efficiencies. By integrating DevOps, the organization is always on the verge of securing a competitive edge for itself. The main focus of DevOps is software development with hyped innovation, as it is the need of the hour.

How can someone tell if they're ready to work in Silicon Valley?

There’s no fixed formula to land a job at the Silicon Valley companies. But surely there are some guidelines on how to go about it. As an aspirant, some individuals can consider soft & technical skill enhancement, studying work culture at a target company, & the cultural environment in this industry. Here’s a mix of technical & non-technical skills one needs. Let’s explore here:

a. Proficiency in coding:

For a Silicon Valley aspirant, coding excellence is an unsaid condition. Unless & until an individual is excellent in coding, the dream seems a bit difficult. Now due to the emergence of AI, it has become possible to an extent, but a combination of the human brain & the use of AI also requires a sense of intellect. Practicing the same can make it possible.  

b. Domain knowledge:

Select a particular domain that will be in the vicinity of the technological chin for years to come. Master the specific domain knowledge & generate proofs for the same. You can leverage social media by creating YouTube channels, or an Instagram handle to build credibility & authenticity. Keep records of which content was embraced by viewers, but make sure to post genuine content.

c. Self-study of skills:

Craft a set of questions that you’d want to ask yourself regarding aiming to work at the Silicon Valley. Sit down with yourself once, or stand in front of a mirror. Ask yourself the questions & give genuine answers. Remember, this moment is going to decide your future. So, no over-confident responses or under-confident ones are allowed.

Conclusion

For the aspirants, be it tech or non-tech individuals, landing a job in Silicon Valley is a milestone. Some Silicon Valley companies are on the constant lookout for the right talent. With the technological arrival, there’s no looking back for the techies in the technology industry. Similarly, as innovation has gained momentum, creative peeps can also try their hand at this. Being a business magazine, we are fully dedicated to studying everything business. Silicon Valley is one of our cherished sections of the entire startup realm. For those who tried & couldn’t make it to Silicon Valley, remember this isn’t the end. Sometimes, things don’t work out as we aspire. Be the best where you’re working & outshine. All the best to Silicon Valley aspirants, & to the ones who already tried, just keep going. Never stop.   

Uncover the latest trends and insights with our articles on Visionary Vogues