What it does: Makes freight and logistics software
Staff stats: Over 500, with around half of those based in Australia
The good bits: It’s pretty much all good!
The not so good bits: You’ll struggle if you’re not the initiative-taking type
Hiring grads with degrees in: Engineering, Maths, IT & Computer Sciences.
The Wisetech Global story
Wisetech Global started out in the Newtown, Sydney home office of erstwhile refrigerator engineer, musician and guitar repairer Richard White in 1994. With little more than a personal credit card to fund his vision, White wanted to lead the international logistics industry innovation. Without generating much media or public attention, White has fulfilled that goal becoming one of the handful of Australians to create a tech ‘unicorn’ (i.e. a company valued at over $1 billion).
WiseTech Global really is global at this point, with 7000 customers in 130 countries and offices in Australia, New Zealand, China, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Italy, Brazil and Japan. The company is “an innovative, multi-award winning global developer of cloud-based software solutions for the international and domestic logistics industries”.
The company creates software solutions that are “renowned for their powerful productivity, extensive functionality, comprehensive integration, deep compliance capabilities, and their truly global reach”. It’s leading product, CargoWise One, provides “the most sophisticated and comprehensive end-to-end logistics solution in the world, and forms an integral link in the global supply chain”. Businesses ranging from one-person operations to multinationals use WiseTech Global’s “next-gneration” software to “improve their visibility, efficiency, quality of service and profitability.”
The company listed on the ASX in 2016. In 2017, the company had revenue of $153.8 million.
The culture
WiseTech Global boasts of having “a diverse mix of extraordinary people drawn from over 40 countries, ranging in age from 18 to 70+, with eclectic backgrounds and remarkable skills”. The company values a “strong and diverse workforces” and aims to create a culture where everyone is treated equally and with respect regardless of their “religion, race, ethnicity, language, gender, sexual orientation, disability [or] age”. The company does not allow “discrimination, bullying and harassment of any kind”and every staff member “undertakes detailed training and compliance testing on equal opportunity and [WiseTech Global’s] approach to it”.
The recruitment process
The company is “always on the look out for talented and motivated people”. While it’s not specified, it appears you’ll need to have studied something that resulted in programming and IT skills to enter the grad program.
To get your foot in the door, you’ll need to email jobs@wisetechglobal.com an express an interest in working at the company. At this point, you’ll probably have a relatively casual chat with a HR staffer about how the company’s “internships and graduate programs will help you get where you want to be. If you want to:
I'f you're up to scratch you’ll probably be offered an internship. This can and apparently often does lead to a paid position. That can be a part-time one if you’re still finishing your degree or a spot in the company’s year-long grad program if you’ve completed your studies. The program involves being “part of a unique, high-achieving team” and being trained and certified in “leading-edge technologies”. Even better, you’ll “experience a fast-paced open-plan environment”, enjoy a “healthy, vibrant work culture” and “escape the bureaucratic mindset and system-heavy approach taken by some other firms”. You’ll also be on a pathway “that could lead to further WiseTech Global opportunities including overseas travel, global projects, and innovative business developments”.
Remuneration
In order to recruit and retain top tech talent in a global marketplace, WiseTech Global offers “a remuneration package that can include fixed pay, cash bonus and deferred equity incentives.”Many of the early staff had an equity stake in the company that paid off handsomely when it listed and more recent arrivals can “invest in the business through the purchase of shares and participation in equity awards as part of their remuneration package”. As result of the widespread take-up of this offer, many of the company’s staff are also its shareholders.
Even in the context of the wider tech industry, the company goes to great lengths to keep its employees happy and healthy. Benefits include, “in‐house fitness classes, nutritional advice, free breakfasts and healthy snacks, lunchtime sport, our family‐friendly working week, health campaigns, and company funded social activities”. There’s a monthly ‘Cake Day’ “to welcome every new employee and celebrate birthdays” and the conclusion of the working week is celebrated with “pizza and refreshments”.
But White seems to be as focused on fostering an innovative culture at work as on making money. He doesn't like comparing WiseTech to Google, but there are similarities when you tour his company's buzzing open-plan workspace in Sydney's Alexandria. The company provides breakfast, a gym, fitness instructor, a music studio, high-tech equipment and flexibility on start and end times.
It appears many people get a grad role through doing an internship.
Career prospects
Like most tech firms, WiseTech invests heavily in its highly skilled staff. It has an internal education and training professional certification program. It also provides employee education assistance for those undertaking bachelor, masters and doctorate degrees and encourages continuing industry education. The company also assists “development with mentoring programs worldwide, facilitated rotations though multiple development teams and ‘theory of constraints’ training”. Plus, it has an “active program of international placements/global mobility to build skills and understanding of technological and cultural diversity”.
The company continues to grow rapidly, so there are no shortage of position available for those wanting to fast track their career.
The vibe of the place
WiseTech Global seeks to “recruit and develop individuals with a diverse range of professional backgrounds and experience” and create a work environment for them that “supports bold ideas and innovation, and a focus on ‘freedom and responsibility’”. This is achieved through a “low hierarchy management with small diverse teams in open plan hubs to stimulate creativity and workflow.”
"WiseTech Global is changing the world of logistics through technology. We think bold ideas and build bold products, like our flagship software platform CargoWise One, which is the product of over 3 million hours of development and counting.
You’ll realize we’re different from the moment you step inside our Sydney tech hub in Alexandria. With flat, small, diverse teams working in open plan hubs, and more than half of our people focused on innovation and product development, our environment is a great incubator for entry-level careers.
We think big, but when it comes to our team, we sweat the details. We know that you don't need to wear a suit and tie to code and you don't need to be chained to a desk to get results. We celebrate success not process.
We want to develop your potential and boost your learning with educational assistance and mentorship. Regardless of how much experience you have, if you're passionate about the challenge of building solutions to complex problems, we should talk.
So don't just settle for another day job. Do more."