Top MBA Recruiters: Netflix
In the 1990s, when you wanted to rent movies, there was only one way to do it: head into a Blockbuster. At least that was the case until 1997 with the advent of Netflix.
When the company first got its start, the world of on-demand streaming was nonexistent. Instead, Netflix.com was a DVD rental and sales site where you paid a low monthly fee for unlimited DVD rentals. By 2005, more than 4.2 million people became members of Netflix and Blockbuster began to fade.
Everything changed again in 2007 when Netflix introduced streaming, where members could instantly watch TV shows and movies online. All you needed was your parent’s password, and the rest is history.
Now, Netflix is a video streaming giant with 139 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime and anywhere, including original series, such as the highly successful Orange Is the New Black and House of Cards.
With all this going for it, it should be no surprise that Netflix is a sought-after employer for MBAs with a keen interest in disruptive tech and entertainment.
Why MBAs Love Netflix
Netflix is famous for its unique company culture. According to Business Insider, the company “does not tolerate either failing employees or ‘brilliant jerks.’” That can be both good and bad depending on your viewpoint. What it does translate into is a company that focuses on “freedom and responsibility,” meaning you’ll be expected to work hard, hit the ground running, and excel in a cutthroat environment.
“Being part of Netflix is like being part of an Olympic team,” Netflix tells the Wall Street Journal in a written statement. “Getting cut, when it happens, is very disappointing but there is no shame at all. Our former employees get a generous severance, and they generally get snapped up by another company.”
The good news is that this equates to impressive pay with 800 employees on Glassdoor giving the company 4.2 stars for “Compensation & Benefits.” On average, a manager at Netflix can expect to earn $178,176, while a senior manager makes $213,243. The key is that you perform and perform well at Netflix. There’s no handholding. Instead, you can expect long hours and a tough work/life balance rating at 3.3 according to Glassdoor.
And there’s no doubt that hard work has paid off for the company. Since 2012, the Netflix stock has increased 2,500 percent and is the indisputable leader in the entertainment industry. It might be a fairly ruthless culture, but it’s working and producing results.
Netflix Careers
According to one former employee who posted an Indeed review in March 2019, “the benefits and the company itself were great: flexibility, values, inexpensive insurance, no dress code, etc.” And others agree.
When you work at Netflix you can expect half free lunches, an amazing kitchen with all kinds of snack and drinks, and fair PTO and sick days. However, you can also expect a demanding schedule that requires you to be on your game and getting the job done.
“Fast-paced, dynamic company, great exposure, and learnings. High impact and good [renumeration] and perks. Many peoples dream company to work for,” one anonymous former director wrote on Glassdoor
Getting Hired at Netflix
Don’t expect getting a job at Netflix to be a piece of cake. According to a 2016 Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) hosted by a purported Netflix employee, the interview process is long, involved, and designed to make sure your personality fits the company culture, and you’re technically capable.
According to the Reddit, you’ll talk to “eight or so people,” some of whom are from HR while others are from higher up in the department where you’re applying to. Typically, if even a single person doesn’t like you, you won’t get the job. You’ll even be flown out to headquarters for an all-day interview just to make sure you’re the right person for the job.
As for what Netflix looks for in its employees, they want you to demonstrate qualities that align with their values. This includes:
- Courage
- Humility
- Curiosity
- Passion
- Being open to providing and receiving feedback
- Scrappiness and grit
- Team player
- Inclusive and self-aware
For more insight, there’s a great Netflix podcast that is all about how the company hires, which you can watch here.
Current Netflix Careers
Generally, Netflix does not high new grads or interns. According to a thread on Quora, Netflix does not consider itself an entry-level company. If you’re an exceptionally skilled candidate or someone with a rare skill, the company may make an exception, but for the most part, the company is looking for employees that already have experience.
There are currently more than 450 job openings at Netflix in California, London, Singapore, Amsterdam, Tokyo, and other locations around the world. Those openings include jobs in:
- Business development
- Marketing and public relations
- Finance
- Data, analytics, and algorithms
- Design and product innovation
The best part of every job opportunity at Netflix is the “freedom to do whatever you think is necessary to move the business forward. The worst thing is that nobody will tell you how to spend your time or what exactly you should be working on (outside of setting larger goals for your role),” according to a LinkedIn Q&A
School v. School: Michigan Ross v. Minnesota Carlson
Where should you go to school for your MBA? It’s a hard decision that has to factor in many different elements from location to reputation, alumni networks, ROI, and program options.
To help simplify the process for you, our School vs. School series takes a look at two similar top b-schools to compare and contrast their offerings. Today, we look at Michigan vs Minnesota to see which is best for you. Continue reading…
Adam Grant’s Favorite Books, Olympic Winners, and More – Toronto News
Recent weeks have seen exciting developments and events for Toronto metro business schools. We’ve laid out some of the high points below.
17 Business Leadership Books That Have Helped MBA Students Succeed in the Business World – Business Insider
Business Insider contributor Adam Grant, perhaps the most famous business school author in the world today, just released a list of 17 books that he finds beneficial for MBA’s entering the workforce. His list includes “The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers” by Ben Horowitz. Noura Sakkijha, co-founder of Mejuri and graduate of McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, was highlighted as someone who found Horowitz’s book particularly beneficial:
“I love learning through successful people’s real-life experiences and this book provides an extremely practical and honest experience about running a company, managing people, and handling tough problems.”
Grant also highlights “Power Up: How Smart Women Win in the New Economy” by entrepreneur Magdalena Yesil, who was one of the primary investors in what would become multi-billion dollar tech powerhouse SalesForce, and “Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose” by Tony Hsieh, the CEO of online shoe giant Zappos. Check out the rest of Grant’s 17 favorite books here.
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir: “The Perfect Partnership” – News@Ivey
Olympic figure skating medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir recently spoke at Western University Canada’s Ivey School of Business, delivering the keynote address for HBA Leadership Day. In addition to providing advice on how to succeed in a competitive sport, the couple offered insight into what has made their relationship work over the past two decades.
Olympic figure skating medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, the keynote speakers at the Ivey School of Business HBA Leadership Day / Photo via ivey.uwo.ca
“We always skate well when we’re on the same page both on and off the ice,” Moir says. “Having each other’s back was our biggest advantage over our competitors.” Virtue also shared the obstacles that come with being a woman in an athletic field. She indicated that as her success rose, so did the amount of scrutiny, criticism, and vulnerability she experienced.
“Every time you get to the top of a mountain, there’s another summit. You’re at one of the best—if not the best—business schools in Canada. You’ve already accomplished so much. But this is where you take off. This is the beginning of a great journey for you.” – Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue
You can read more about the skating duo and the recent Ivey HBA Leadership Day here.
Ryerson, Maple Leafs Announce New Future of Sport Lab – MetroMBA
The brand new Future of Sport Lab, was announced on Tuesday, Sep. 11, 2018 as a brand new partnership between Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Ltd. (MLSE) and Ryerson University. The school, according to a recent press release, notes, “the objective of the FSL is to be Canada’s leader in sport innovation, creating a sport business ecosystem that will connect Canadian sport properties and industry partners, entrepreneurs, faculty, and students. Together, they will support and foster innovative sport business solutions and technologies along with sport industry research, insights, and education.”
The new program will be directed by Dr. Cheri L. Bradish, the Loretta Rogers Research Chair in Sport Marketing with the Ted Rogers School of Management. In an interview, Bradish says, “Toronto is truly a world-class sport business city. The Future of Sport Lab will bring together the incredible talent that’s already here and give them a chance to collaborate and create solutions with real world impact. This will be the new home of sport innovation in Canada.”
Cheri Bradish, Director of the Future Sport Lab (back, right), with Humza Teherany, Sumit Arora, Teresa Resch, and Jennifer MacInnis / Photo via ryerson.ca
You can learn more about the Future of Sport Lab here.
Alumni Spotlight: Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates Founder, HBS MBA
For 40 years, investment firm Bridgewater Associates has managed portfolios and partnerships with a tremendous level of success. Today, the company manages about $160 billion for approximately 350 global clients, including public and corporate pension funds, university endowments, charitable foundations, supranational agencies, sovereign wealth funds, and central banks. Ray Dalio, Founder of Bridgewater Associates and Harvard Business School MBA grad, is a big reason for this success. Continue reading…
Top MBA Employers: Building a Foundation with Chevron
Even with the preparation provided by an MBA, entering back into the business world after school can be daunting. California oil giant Chevron, one of the 20 largest companies in the world, offers a program that provides additional support and training for MBA grads to help them take their education to the next level. The oil company’s competitive business and commercial MBA program (BCMP) provides opportunities and resources for motivated grads aspiring to senior management positions. Chevron has made Glassdoor’s list of “Best Places to Work” eight times, and made Indeed’s list of Best Places to Work in 2017, likely due to the numerable opportunities for advancement and considerate treatment of employees.
According to Business Insider, “Chevron also has programs for new mothers and families, such as rooms where new mothers can nurse, a college-counseling program that guides employees and their families through the college application process, and a program that reimburses employees up to $5,000 for adoption-related expenses.”
Current MBA’s and recent grads interested in working at an oil will surely want to add Chevron to their list of potential employers.
The Chevron Business and Commercial MBA Program
During Chevron’s two-year business and commercial MBA program, students will have access to a variety of resources, including mentorship from senior members of the Chevron team. Program participants will do four six-month rotations involving projects in any of the following areas: strategy, planning and business analysis; supply chain/value chain optimization; business development; asset commercialization; decision analysis; hydrocarbon scheduling and logistics; hydrocarbon trading analytics; or marketing and sales.
Program recruits should have geographic flexibility, as the program can take them to California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, or Singapore. Participants can look forward to regular performance feedback on each assignment. The BCMP allows MBA grads to accelerate their career trajectory, to achieve more senior positions more quickly.
You can take a look at Chevron’s full BCMP brochure here.
Getting A Foot In the Door: Summer Internship Program
If you’re interested in pursuing Chevron’s business and commercial MBA program, applying for the company’s summer internship is the way to go. In fact, Chevron considers the 10-12 week internship program to be an extended interview that provides an in-depth view of how potential long-term recruits operate in a project-oriented setting. MBA’s can apply after their first year of grad school.
Though a long-term Chevron job offers a multitude of possible locations, the internship will take place in either Houston, Texas, or San Ramon, California (home to the original company headquarter’s). To be eligible for the internship, grads should have a minimum of three years of work experience between their undergrad and grad educations. Chevron looks for adaptability, collaboration skills, analytical chops, and leadership qualities in its internship recruits.
Chevron MBA internships take place in several U.S. cities, including its Houston offices.
The Highest Paying MBA Internships You Can Find
An MBA education can open the door to an astounding number of lucrative opportunities before you’ve even completed your degree. Many MBA interns are earning hourly wages unfathomable to the larger majority who spent their undergrad internships restocking break rooms and memorizing coffee orders, all for a whopping $0 per hour. Below, we’ve laid out the highest paying internships in some of the most common industries for MBAs.
Stats for MBA interns on Management Consulted dwarfed most other intern salaries. Though the reality of management consulting may lack the seedy glamor portrayed by Don Cheadle and Kristen Bell in House of Lies, these numbers are certainly compelling enough on their own to keep the attention of ambitious young interns.
Deloitte, a consistent top hirer of MBA’s according to Fortune, may be a top destination for MBA interns as well, if compensation is any indication. In 2016, MBA’s at Deloitte make an average of $11,380 per month for a ten-week internship, with the opportunity to receive full second year tuition reimbursement for returning interns. Depending on their goals, interests, and professional backgrounds, interns join a client service team in Deloitte & Touch LLP, Deloitte Tax LLP, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, or Deloitte Consulting LLP.
Management Consulted put the average MBA intern salary at A.T. Kearney at a staggering $11,500 per month. A.T. Kearney offers a ten-week summer internship, during which interns will have unique experiences, such as a three-day opportunity in the middle of the summer to converge in a single location with all of the season’s interns. During these three days, students have the opportunity to network, socialize, and learn about the different facets of the company.
Outside of consulting, there are plenty of opportunities for MBA interns. It is no secret that some of the highest paying jobs out there are in tech. Luckily, there is a sizeable demand for MBA’s at tech companies.
Despite the recent, um, controversy surrounding Facebook’s security practices, the social networks interns are making out well. Facebooked topped Glassdoor’s list of Highest Paying Internships in 2017, with a median monthly salary of $8,000. The 12-week business internships offer frequent Q&A’s with higher-level employees and the opportunity to tackle real problems that face the social networking platform.
It would be remiss to talk about MBA’s in tech without mentioning Amazon, which is fast becoming one of the largest MBA tech recruiters. With a median monthly pay of $6,400, Amazon also made Glassdoor’s list of Highest Paying Internships in 2017. Keep in mind, this number is the median for all Amazon interns, and does not factor in MBA education, which would likely yield a much higher number. Interns are assigned a strategic project that provides the opportunity to contribute to solving a real business issue. Additionally, an internship with Amazon is often a foot in the door to a full-time career with the internet retail giant. Amazon’s website encourages MBA’s to apply, stating:
“You will have the autonomy to think strategically, make decisions, and drive significant impact to the customer experience and the business. To be successful, you must be passionate about the business, flourish in ambiguity, and demonstrate nimble leadership.”
Two Sigma Investments, a relatively young investment management company, has been getting a lot of press for its generous internship compensation. According to Business Insider, the $40 billion hedge fund, which started in 2001, grew 400 percent from 2012-17. The 10-week internships can pay upwards of $10,500 per month. Internships at Two Sigma are primarily in STEM, and MBA’s with an interest in Quantitative Research might find this program particularly rewarding.
