What it does: ByteDance operates a suite of information, education, and entertainment platforms such as TikTok, Helo, and Resso, and other social networking apps
Mission: To inspire creativity and enrich life
Size and presence: They have over 150,000 employees based in more than 30 countries globally
Best known for: ByteDance is best known for one of its popular applications, TikTok
The good bits: Possibility of working from home
The not-so-good bits: The work-life balance comes with the workload
ByteDance was founded in 2012 in China by a team of developers who saw opportunities in the growing mobile internet market. They want to build a platform that could enrich people's lives with education, information, and entertainment.
The company launched its first product, Toutiao, in August 2012. In 2016, they gained the same success with the launch of Douyin. A year later, ByteDance launched its global short video product (TikTok) which gave a new opportunity for the company.
In November 2017, ByteDance acquired Musical.ly and merged it with TikTok. Today, TikTok, which is also available outside of China, has become the leading application for short-form mobile videos worldwide. ByteDance makes it easier and more fun for people to connect with, consume, and create content.
As a global platform of creation and interaction, ByteDance today has a portfolio of applications available in over 150 markets and 75 languages. More than 2.5 billion people interact with ByteDance products and services such as TikTok, TikTok Shop, CapCut, Lark, Pico and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, as well as products and services specific to the China market, including Douyin, Toutiao, Fanqie, Xigua, Feishu and Douyin e-commerce.
Byte Dance’s platforms aim to help users discover and explore creativity, knowledge, and moments that matter in everyday life, by empowering people to be a creator directly from their smartphones. The core of ByteDance's purpose is creation.
They drive impact for themselves and their users through imagination and innovations. That is why the team members need to be brave to pursue the bold ideas that exist just beyond the boundary of possibility.
To do so, ByteDance strives to create an inclusive environment where employees are valued for their experiences, skills, and unique perspectives. They lead with curiosity and do not shy away from taking calculated risks.
Just as their platform connects people from around the world, so does their workplace. To achieve this, they are committed to nurturing their diverse voices and creating an environment that reflects the many communities they reach.
PhD students and fresh graduates may have opportunities to join their Early Career programme. The recruitment process consists of an online application (opens on August 22 for Asia-Pacific), pre-screening activities, an interview assessment event, and receiving an offer.
With a similar process, you can apply for experienced hire positions through their Career page. You can update your CV and materials before someone reviews your application. All applications will be fairly assessed. The interview process varies from team to team, and not all positions have assessments or technical tests. The recruiter will advise you on what to expect.
Most of their interviews are conducted online, and they have several ways to accommodate interviews across different time zones and regions. You need to tell your recruiter if you are in a different time zone. If you are selected, the recruiter will contact you to discuss your offer on a rolling basis.
The company offers lots of career growth opportunities, either to move up or to take on new positions
Some of the salaries to give you ideas on their annual pay: Business Marketing Analyst (AU$48,000-52,000), Human Resources Business Partner Intern (AU$57,000-63,000), Retail Fashion Sales Assistant (AU$58,000-62,000), Software Engineer (AU$89,000-96,000).
The company offers the following benefits for their employees:
ByteDance integrates corporate social responsibility into its daily operations by actively participating in public welfare activities. They keep improving their business practices to make a positive contribution to the communities in which they operate.
They also encourage their employees and partners to actively participate in voluntary public service and other welfare activities. One of their initiatives is the ByteDance Medical Relief Fund which was established on January 25, 2020.
For the environment, ByteDance is committed to 100% renewable energy in its global operations by 2030 and to be net zero by 2030, reducing emissions by 90% by 2030.
Due to security concerns, Australia is joining other Western countries to remove TikTok (one of ByteDance’s video apps) on all federal government-owned devices. The ban would be implemented as soon as possible.
TikTok Australia admitted that they were disappointed with the decision because the decision was taken not based on facts, but at political push, and there is no evidence to suggest that TikTok is a security risk for Australians.