While companies like Google, Microsoft and Facebook are pretty much synonymous with the term "cool employee perks" (bocce ball, anyone? How about a stress-relieving massage at the on-campus spa?), they're not the only technology companies where workers enjoy unique -- and enviable -- benefits on a daily basis.
From letting employees bring their dogs to work to offering unlimited paid vacation, tech companies of all sizes are finding cool new ways to lure top technology candidates. Check out some of the innovative recruiting tactics that make these companies an employer of choice for both current employees and job seekers.
1. Q2 hosts "arcade nights" for current and potential employees. Every quarter, interested candidates come to a local arcade to trade résumés and mingle with current employees. At the end of the day, it's the culture that really sells candidates: For the past three years, the virtual banking solutions provider has been ranked as a Top Workplace in Austin, Texas.
2. MoneyDesktop keeps recruiting casual with "drink ups." Like Q2's arcade nights, MoneyDesktop's drink ups enable current employees and prospects to learn about the culture in a relaxed environment -- here, however, the meeting place is a local brewery.
3. RJMetrics lets workers design their dream job environments. "One of the major draws of working at RJMetrics was the opportunity to design my ideal workspace, including my desired chair, desk and computer," writes one employee on the company blog.
4. Autodesk welcomes employees' dogs. The California-based business, a Fortune "Best Company to Work For," also lets employees take six-week sabbaticals every four years.
5. Evernote offers unlimited paid vacation. The California-based company joins a growing list of companies -- including Netflix, Best Buy and Akamai -- offering employees unlimited paid vacation as a way to lower stress, minimize turnover and attract new workers.
6. Rackspace gives employees a "fun budget." Over in its U.K. offices, every Rackspace employee enjoys a monthly "fun budget" of £25 per month. Employees in the U.S. get a pretty good deal, too. With 60-hour workweeks as the norm, management wants employees to play just as hard as they work, so "Rackers" (as employees are called) have access to an on-site gym, video games and pool tables -- in addition to break rooms stocked with free food and drinks.
7. Enova's "hackathons" lure innovative candidates. The Chicago-based tech firm invites local college students to compete in "hackathons" to get to know them, introduce them to the company and get them excited about the opportunity to work there. (No doubt, one of the selling points is Enova's "chill hub," where employees can get free haircuts, manicures and massages.) To top it off, Enova also offers new employees signing bonuses.
From letting employees bring their dogs to work to offering unlimited paid vacation, tech companies of all sizes are finding cool new ways to lure top technology candidates. Check out some of the innovative recruiting tactics that make these companies an employer of choice for both current employees and job seekers.1. Q2 hosts "arcade nights" for current and potential employees. Every quarter, interested candidates come to a local arcade to trade résumés and mingle with current employees. At the end of the day, it's the culture that really sells candidates: For the past three years, the virtual banking solutions provider has been ranked as a Top Workplace in Austin, Texas.
2. MoneyDesktop keeps recruiting casual with "drink ups." Like Q2's arcade nights, MoneyDesktop's drink ups enable current employees and prospects to learn about the culture in a relaxed environment -- here, however, the meeting place is a local brewery.
3. RJMetrics lets workers design their dream job environments. "One of the major draws of working at RJMetrics was the opportunity to design my ideal workspace, including my desired chair, desk and computer," writes one employee on the company blog.
4. Autodesk welcomes employees' dogs. The California-based business, a Fortune "Best Company to Work For," also lets employees take six-week sabbaticals every four years.
5. Evernote offers unlimited paid vacation. The California-based company joins a growing list of companies -- including Netflix, Best Buy and Akamai -- offering employees unlimited paid vacation as a way to lower stress, minimize turnover and attract new workers.
6. Rackspace gives employees a "fun budget." Over in its U.K. offices, every Rackspace employee enjoys a monthly "fun budget" of £25 per month. Employees in the U.S. get a pretty good deal, too. With 60-hour workweeks as the norm, management wants employees to play just as hard as they work, so "Rackers" (as employees are called) have access to an on-site gym, video games and pool tables -- in addition to break rooms stocked with free food and drinks.
7. Enova's "hackathons" lure innovative candidates. The Chicago-based tech firm invites local college students to compete in "hackathons" to get to know them, introduce them to the company and get them excited about the opportunity to work there. (No doubt, one of the selling points is Enova's "chill hub," where employees can get free haircuts, manicures and massages.) To top it off, Enova also offers new employees signing bonuses.
