At Atomic, we have a lot of pride in the software that our development teams build. So naturally, when considering potential future Atoms, we want to be sure that they can contribute to the success of those teams. We evaluate three areas to accomplish this: technical ability, communication skills, and cultural fit. If you were to apply, we would ask you for writing samples, invite you to a technical interview, ask you to perform a programming or design challenge, and, of course, have you in for an in-person interview.
Many companies will determine if a candidate can do the job by diving deep on very specific topics that are immediately relevant to the position. At Atomic, we measure technical ability not on what we need right now, but on the candidates’ understanding of the tools they claim to know now. We measure this by asking questions about the tools and technology that candidates use day to day, as well as presenting them with situations that are clearly outside their comfort zone.
One of the major hurdles for Atomic Object candidates is the Programming/Design Challenge. For developers, this means that you’re asked to solve a problem using a language and toolset you’ve never seen before. For Designers, you are asked to provide wireframes detailing a website or mobile application as well as high-fidelity mockups of at least one of the key screens. Few people successfully complete the challenge, but those that do make the short list of potential candidates.
Technical capability is only a part of what makes a successful Atom. We also prize communication skills. In my experience, when a job posting lists “strong communication skills” as a requirement, the job-poster really wants to know if you can you express an idea. Though that is important, at Atomic we’re looking for a bit more. All of our developers interact with customers both through the spoken and written word. We test this by having you complete a writing sample, as well as through our conversations with you. It’s important to understand that the most important language at Atomic is not a programming language, it’s English.
Finally – and certainly not least – we at Atomic need to determine your cultural fit. One of the strongest clues for cultural fit is the candidate’s experience with a number of different technology stacks. We expect interns and new graduates to have worked with tools outside of what is taught in the classroom, while those with more experience to have even more breadth.
Does this sound like you? Would you like to work in our Ann Arbor or Detroit offices? If so, we’d like to hear from you. Send your resume to [email protected].