San Francisco-based Cloudflare works hard to help build a better Internet. They protect, secure, and optimize websites and other Internet properties to ensure the fastest load times and best experience for visitors. They do this by routing online traffic through their global network, learning from each site that passes through.
This highly-technical company is creating a better digital universe, but it is also creating a better universe for its employees. The company has been recognized in Austin as having a great and progressive culture, as well as being a company that stands for something.
Diving Into the Values at Cloudflare
We Are Principled:
The company's mission of 'helping to build a better Internet' is bold and ambitious, and they take it seriously. It isn't just some catchy slogan to them.
We Are Curious:
The Cloudflare team is made up of pioneers of the industry. They approach each and every challenge with interest and a hunger to learn. Problems are solved in clever and astute manners.
We Are Transparent:
Cloudflare is an open book and believes that client trust comes first. As such, they prioritize transparency and take responsibility if mistakes are made. They know that mistakes are a part of life and that it is when you learn from it that counts.
The Culture at Cloudflare
Hashtag Worth Culture
#lifeatcloudflare. This is a tag that has come to define the energetic, diverse fun culture of Cloudflare. Life at Cloudflare is good. It is a thriving, collaborative culture where respect reigns supreme. New ideas are well received and professional development is encouraged.
It is also a very diverse workplace. In fact, the company puts a big focus on cultivating diversity in its workplace. Cloudflare knows how important different perspectives are and actively seeks them.
Janet Van Huysse, Head of People at Cloudflare said, "Cloudflare team members come from many different backgrounds, and we appreciate and celebrate these differences because diversity contributes to better decision-making, more innovation, stronger financial results and a better workplace for everyone."
It is hard to envision a company thinking any other way about diversity after hearing and seeing the success of Cloudflare and its very diverse team. Van Huysse went on to say, "At Cloudflare, we think diversity and inclusion efforts are a strategic priority for our company's long-term goals. We will continue to invest in robust reporting so we understand the makeup of our global teams -- where we have gaps, how our employees experience life at Cloudflare, and the impact of our efforts."
Cloudflare doesn't just hire diverse groups to hit a number mark. Every person in the company has a voice and a platform. The company makes sure that this is the case by having special employee-run resource groups. Those groups include (but are not limited to):
"We will continue to support our employee resource groups such as Proudflare (LGBTQIA+), Afroflare (African diaspora) and Women in Engineering. We will amplify the efforts of our "ally skills" trainings, and employee-led workshops which aim to teach simple, everyday ways to create a long-lasting supportive culture at Cloudflare. Our leadership team will continue to be vocal advocates for our diversity and inclusion initiatives so we can reap the benefits that diversity offers," Van Huysse said.
Some other ways the Cloudflare team members can find community outside of work are through clubs. Some examples of Cloudflare employee clubs are an Argo Running Club, Cloudflare Gamers club, Edge Riders Motorcycle Club and a Toastmasters club.
The Office at Cloudflare
Cloudflare has a total of 13 offices worldwide. Those offices are:
All of these locations are strategically placed in great areas of the cities. Most of them are right in the heart of the cities. That means that you will have access to some of the best cafes, restaurants, and nightlife the world has to offer.
The Benefits at Cloudflare
For starters, here are some of the benefits and perks offered at Cloudflare:
Van Huysse said, "A couple of ongoing initiatives include our partnerships with returnship programs like Path Forward, which provide apprenticeship opportunities for individuals that have taken extended time off to care for a loved one and want to return to work. We also attend conferences and events that reach underrepresented minorities, like Grace Hopper Conference, Lesbians Who Tech, TAPIA, WomenHack, National Sales Network and more."
Another super cool perk is that Cloudflare provides employees with memberships to Ginger, an app that connects you with a trained mental health coach as well as Bright Horizons for infant health and Modern Fertility for at-home fertility tests.
The Interview at Cloudflare
Ellie Jamison, a Recruiter with Cloudflare said, "If you truly want to be impressed by Cloudflare, interview with them. Every employee knows the process is deliberate, thoughtful, and diverse in taking the time to get to know a candidate while the candidate gets to know Cloudflare."
The initial contact will come in the form of a phone call, which is fairly standard. Here you will be asked questions about your experience and goals. If you are invited for an onsite interview, there are a few things to know. The onsite interview will be a little different than your run of the mill traditional interview. First of all, you are likely to interview with five or more employees that day. Some questions that have been asked in the past were things like "How would you describe Cloudflare to your grandmother?" or "What is a DDoS attack?" You will leave knowing more than you did when you arrived.
If you move on further, you will meet with Van Huysse. Past and current employees have described this conversation as very genuine and that they truly felt like it was two people trying to get to know one another. The last stage is definitely unique. This is where you, a candidate, get to interview an executive with the company.
