As the business rapidly expands, we're increasingly asked whether we have internship positions at TikTok - and the answer is yes! This week, we're sitting down to speak with Jonny Pine, an intern at TikTok and recent Marketing graduate from the University of Newcastle, to find out how he landed the role, what his experience has been like so far, and tips for interested candidates.
Can you share with us more about the team you are interning with?
I work on TikTok's Global Employer Branding team. I joined in July and am based at one of the company's London offices. Our team is responsible for how we present ourselves to the outside world, not only as a product but also as an employer. Showcasing the fantastic team behind our product, you could almost describe us as the marketing function of HR! We're a diverse group of colleagues from a range of different backgrounds in terms of cultures, skills, and experiences. Despite the fact that many of us are based across different geographies or time zones, we're also really tight-knit, and are regularly in touch both on and offline. Some examples of the work that we do includes industry partnership events, campus recruitment, and managing social media content on professional platforms, such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor etc.
Sounds exciting. So what brought you to TikTok in the first place?
Funnily enough, I was at university and browsing on a competitor app, when an advertisement for TikTok popped up. The content was exciting and creative - so I decided to give it a download and got hooked! Later in the year, an internship position at the company came up on my LinkedIn feed and I knew I wanted to go for it due to the fit of the role with my skills and experience, and also because of my love of the product. After a number of interview rounds, I discovered that I had secured myself the position! Whilst I had received a couple of offers for different marketing roles in the tech space after graduating, this opportunity was too unique to pass up - and I haven't looked back!
I was also attracted by reviews I had read online about the start-up atmosphere that TikTok promotes within its company culture - and I can confirm that the environment is as fast-paced and challenging as I had imagined.
Could you provide some details of your hiring process for those who are not familiar?
TikTok currently uses LinkedIn as one of the primary resources for recruiting internship candidates (although keep an eye out for our new careers page coming soon!). I submitted my CV and cover letter, and received a call within a few days inviting me to interview. Typically interviews are in-office but as I was living in Newcastle at the time, the team were flexible in allowing me to conduct the interview via video. I had three rounds of interviews in total, with different members of the team. The interviews felt more like discussions rather than just question and response - this style felt empowering. Some of the conversation was around my past experience, strengths, and skills, and I was also asked more challenging questions about my own opinion, suggestions, and solutions for challenges both the team and wider business were facing at the time. The whole process from application to offer was around three to four weeks.
Thanks for sharing. What particular qualities do you think helped you land that offer?
That's a hard one. Personally, I think my eagerness was key - showing the hiring manager that you're eager to learn and you want to be part of a company that's on a really exciting journey (and trust me, we are!). I think this in particular can set you apart from other candidates. The other quality I would say is curiosity. It's part of the company culture to encourage people to ask questions - and you'll notice that people here do so. It's great if you can demonstrate your inquisitive mindset in the interview, but remember not to ask questions for the sake of it; the skill is knowing the right questions to ask.
So that's the application and interview process down. Now for the exciting bit - what are you actually up to as a TikTok intern?
I definitely can't come up with an average day. In fact, there's not even a typical week in this role. To be honest, that's why I love the job - I'll wake up one morning and I'll have no clue what I'm about to be faced with that day. Saying that, there have been a lot of events that I've been involved in throughout my time here. One which really stands out for me is the partnership we co-ordinated with the SheSays network in September, where we hosted and showcased influential females and their followers from around the UK in a dedicated discussion panel surrounding the topic of female leadership in the tech industry. This event gave me the opportunity to work with a passionate and motivated community and I was grateful to have had the opportunity to organise a platform for people to express themselves; just like our app!
In some companies, I understand that the intern title can feel quite limiting, but here it is the total opposite! Even during my first week I was given the opportunity to get involved in such a wide scope of activity. This offer of independence has also resulted in traveling to various office locations, working with our UK creators/influencers and running events and activities in collaboration with different teams.
What are your top tips for others so that they could succeed in an internship at TikTok?
Don't be scared to take a risk. Working at a start up (given our scale of growth, it feels strange to say that sometimes) requires a certain element of being able to calculate risk and work with some level of autonomy. There's not always someone there to hold your hand or bounce your ideas off of every step of the way. That being said, I always felt supported by the team and knew I could count on them if I encountered any difficulties along the way.
Get to know your colleagues, even (or particularly) those outside of your team. You never know when a conversation in the kitchen can lead to potential collaboration on a project or idea. You also might need to call on them for help in the future, and it's great to already have a friendly relationship.
Read up on the company, and keep up to date with the news - it's a fast paced environment, and it's important to know the context of the industry to make informed decisions in your work and understand the position of the business. It is not beyond the realm of possibility for you to help our PR department prevent brand risk by just a simple catch-up on the local news.
Relax! It sometimes seems like there's a perception that social media companies are only for techies. Actually, I found that's not the case - it's more about a sense of cohesion with the company's mission, values and culture, and the potential for growth.
Finally, a question we also get asked a lot is what is the inside of the TikTok office like. Are you able to give us a sneak peek?
Yes, check out our London office tour online, I'm in it! But, to put it simply - it's energetic! People are always moving around and there's plenty of things going on at any given time- including fun activities like table football, ping pong, social lunches, parties etc. You might be thinking 'Isn't that just like any tech company?' and my answer to that is '`Yes, but it's the passionate people you get to share those experiences with that make it count!'
Thank you for your time and all the best with the rest of your internship!
___
At TikTok, we believe in doing great things with the right people, and this includes sharing responsibilities on meaningful projects, and fostering the growth of all our employees. We believe that enabling our global talents to work in a flexible environment, and with respect to their own interests, provides the best opportunity to develop innovative and entrepreneurial mindsets.
Do you want to a success story of your own? Find out more about our career opportunities by following TikTok on LinkedIn.
At TikTok, it's your turn to make a change!
______
