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This is the seventh post recounting our interview experience with The MathWorks. Today’s post focuses on our overall thoughts on the interview process and the end result. Click here to see a list of related posts.

Quan’s Testimonial

After it was all said and done, I must admit that the entire interview process went smoothly and that I was quite impressed with The MathWorks personnel and their campus. Their offices are pretty spacious and each office has windows! When you work in a cubicle all day or an office with no windows, you learn to appreciate those windows.

Anyhow, I heard back from The MathWorks a couple of hours after my interview was over (yes, I was surprised by this too!). But I was unable to pick up my phone so they just left me a message. Martha Burns had called as she was interested in getting feedback on my thoughts and opinions on my interview. I was very impressed that they were so hands on about everything. Anyhow, I got in contact with Martha the day after and I felt that I had a good chance of receiving a a job offer.

All of this was confirmed a week later when Andrew Tseng called me with a verbal offer! They gave me two weeks to mull it over and sent over the written offer and some other tidbits of information in the interim. Since I live in Los Angeles, California, the decision to move out to Natick, Massachusetts was not exactly a no-brainer. If the position were located in Los Angeles, it would have been an automatic yes. The main complication was the property that I own in Los Angeles (and the dreary winters in Natick). In the end, I decided that moving to Natick wouldn’t be the best career move.

After it was all said and done, I took a moment to reflect. And then it hit me that this blog has really opened some doors for me. It was able to attract the attention of the folks at The MathWorks, culminating in a job offer!

Daniel’s Testimonial

After a whole day of answering technical, behavioral, and general questions, I had trouble answering a question I had for myself: “To eat McDonalds or Japanese Teriyaki at the airport?” Standing at the food court area, I could not help but recount all the questions that were asked throughout the day and how I could have answered better. I was not sure if I landed the job at the time yet. But I did know that this MathWorks interview experience helped me realize a few things about myself and the process was a pleasant one. I never once felt mistreated, and all the employees I talked to were genuine and personal.

Later, my cellphone rang and it was Joe Smith, the technical HR that interviewed me just few hours ago. He told me that they are ready to give me an offer after they do some reference check. Woohoo? To me it sounded like it was conditional offer. So I was not ready to celebrate. But then Joe dispelled my doubts by telling me to “Be happy! Celebrate! Eat something nice! This one is on the house… even though it is already.” Right then I knew I was going to have a bento box from Japanese Teriyaki. Airport food had never tasted better.

After a few weeks of weighing all my options I accepted the offer from Andrew Tseng, EDG Manager. Here is a list that summarizes my thoughts.

1. Since this would be my first job out of school, I felt that it would be important to start a good company. The MathWorks, to my knowledge, has been profitable ever year since the 1980s. It has international offices all over the world. MATLAB and Simulink are both top of the line products used in several fields. My work here can potentially be applied to various fields. Compensation and employee benefits are comparable, if not better, than several other tech companies I interviewed for.
2. I have a Civil Engineering degree. But I don’t want to do that rest of my life
   MathWorks EDG group provides you numerous opportunities in career paths. At first I thought I would be a programmer here, but it could be much more than that. Whether it be in Sales, Program Manager, Marketing, Consulting, Developer, Finance, etc… as long as I want it and there is opening, it can be mine. They provide all the training. This was very appealing especially for someone fresh out of school or who has many interests.
3. I am afraid to make the move from California to Boston
   The relocation package exceeded my expectations. But what really helped me get over this block was Doug calling up MathWorks employees who moved from California to Boston. They shared about their transitions and how their concerns at the time were very similar to mine. A few employees also have worked their way to work remotely in California as well. Several employees shared genuinely about their personal lives and how they come their decisions in moving. It really helped to hear all of that.

Still seems a little surreal that I will be working at MathWorks soon after I finish my dissertation. I remember joking with Quan that when we start this website MathWorks will find us and recruit us. Sure enough, they did.

Other Tidbits

1. The MathWorks provide free milk, orange juice, soda, and all types of liquids to quench your thirst. I saw the majority of offices stocked with at least two boxes of cereal to take advantage of the free milk. .
2. They offer relocation packages, very competitive salary, and also a stakeholder plan. All the normal goodies like health insurance and dental insurance are also covered.
3. They have their own in house gym with the standard machines and weights.
4. Natick is a nice little town but is pretty close to Boston. You can go party it up in the big city at leisure.
5. I met a pretty cute girl there. But in general, I think the majority of the employees are men.
6. The MathWorks campus was very nice (but I did visit during the summer). I hear that it can get quite cold in the winter.
7. Received numerous testimonials from other MathWorks employees that it is a GREAT place to work. Doug Hull even mentioned that he loves it so much at The MathWorks that he will most likely retire there.
8. The dress code is very casual. I didn’t see one person wearing a tie. A collared shirt seemed to be the extent of “dressing up”.

Quan and Dan are just two normal guys who happen to know a thing or two about MATLAB. Together, they team up to bring you the latest MATLAB offerings. They are a tandem just like peanut butter and jelly. Stockton and Malone. Jordan and Pippen. Samwise and Frodo.