Working for ThoughtWorks

Working for ThoughtWorks?

ThoughtWorks seems to be a target for people of high technical ability, Agile/XP evangelists, and the very smart.  People like me prove that accidents happen in recruitment :-)

So, you're thinking of working for ThoughtWorks?
Well that is going to mean you are a consultant. Consultancy means you're going to be charged out to a client as part of a team.  Sometimes consultancy means you'll traveling to work. I don't mind that so much.

Ways of arriving at ThoughtWorks as an employee.

  1. Applying through a recruitment agent.

    There are a few who are on the preferred supplier list. I don't know which are, so don't ask.

  2. Applying direct.

    Go to http://www.thoughtworks.com/careers

  3. Being referred in through a ThoughtWorker you know.

    We're motivated to do this because we get a referral bonus.  We're not allowed to share/split that bonus so don't ask. Entering process though a ThoughtWorker does not increase your likelihood of arriving, but if it is someone you know (online or real life) met you after you started they will look at you quite oddly if you managed to arrive via an agent or direct and not through them!  Please pick the ThoughtWorker or ThoughtWorkers you have known longest/best :-)

Is it hard to get in?

Yes.  I can't give an outline, but all who arrived think that process is sufficiently hard to attract the right people.

Is it hard to leave.

Yes, post-TW is almost inconceivable.

Paul Hammant
In ThoughtWorks since June 2002.