Find a job you love: 8 Chicago companies hiring right now

by James Risley
December 8, 2016

The tech market is booming, and that means companies are always looking for new talent. But it’s not just coders, engineers and developers that are in demand (although, yes, they’re needed too). Chicago startups and tech companies are also looking for marketers, designers and salespeople, who are all vital to keep companies running.

We talked to eight companies about what they look for in new employees. Be sure to apply to their job listings below, or check out our full job board for more options.

 

What they do: Great products don’t sell themselves. Vibes helps brands and retailers unlock new revenue streams by improving mobile experiences with cutting-edge tech. The company raised one of the biggest funding rounds of the summer to expand globally, but it’s still hiring in its Chicago headquarters as well.

Sweet perks: In addition to competitive salaries, health insurance — even for your pet — and a matched 401(k), Vibes offers weekly breakfasts and happy hours. Other perks include reimbursement for transit and cell phones, summer Friday hours and an annual barbecue.

Note from the boss: “We look for people who are innovative and motivated, and we empower them to run with their ideas instead of seeking permission,” said SVP of talent and development Christine Schoeff. “Vibes cultivates a very collaborative and enthusiastic environment, where our staff is excited to work together on cutting-edge technology and with big international brands.”

 

What they do: iLoan is focused on making borrowing better. By maintaining a simple process with a personal touch, the company is pioneering new ways of consumer lending and allowing people to better control their financial future.

Sweet perks: Employees at iLoan receive daily catered lunches, an annual learning budget, ample vacation time and their pick for computer hardware, keyboards and headphones. Additionally, the company’s on-site happy hours and off-site excursions help build a closer team. Their last team-building exercise was dragon boat racing on the Chicago River, pictured above.

Note from the boss: “We look for highly motivated people that share our passion and excitement for driving business results by collaborating on analytics, data and technology solutions to build the next generation of consumer lending products,” said vice president of technology Ron Smith. “Our team is driving greenfield development with the feel of a startup, but with the financial stability of an established and successful company.”

 

What they do: With the Internet of Things industry expected to reach $19 trillion over the next 10 years, Aeris enables market leaders to prepare for the future. Companies like Chrysler, Honda and Bosch are using Aeris tech to offer new products that move their industries forward. The company is headquartered in San Francisco but has offices in Chicago along with London, Delhi and Tokyo.

Sweet perks: Aeris’ recently renovated Chicago office is located in the top two floors of a vintage River North building. The extensive perks list also includes flexible paid time off, wellness programs and a corporate house in Lake Tahoe that’s raffled off to employees so they can spend some time away.  

Note from the boss: “At Aeris, we do things differently. We look for smart, persistent, creative people who can chart their own path and strive to out-innovate and outpace the competition along the way,” said senior director of talent Alina Perevozkin. “We see diverse perspectives as a key competitive advantage. Innovation, integrity, leadership at all levels, and continuous learning are keys to our employee’s success. These traits are reflected in everything our employees do — from product design to corporate wellness.”

 

What they do: SAP Fieldglass provides technology for services procurement and workforce management, making it easier to manage vendors. Customers can leverage Fieldglass’s Vendor Management System to gain visibility into their external workforce and optimize spending.

Sweet perks: A competitive base salary and annual bonus are complemented by generous healthcare and paid time off plans. Discounted gym memberships, fully-stocked kitchens and charitable opportunities are also available.

Note from the boss: “At SAP Fieldglass, we are passionate about our customers and we look for people who share that same dedication,” said Amy Nordness, senior director of human resources. “We want people who are thirsty to learn, thrive in taking on new challenges and want to come to work in a friendly environment where we check our ego at the elevator. Forget work hard, play hard — we work smart and mix in lots of laughs.”

 

What they do: ShowingTime enables real estate agents to schedule showings online. The software-as-a-service platform is used to schedule an average of three million bookings per month, reducing strain on real estate professionals and streamlining the process for their clients.

Sweet perks: ShowingTime’s perks package is anchored by stock options, a matching 401(k) and health insurance reimbursement for employees. A block west of Union Station, the company has access to a free fitness facility and commuter benefits.

Note from the boss on who they're looking for: “The easy answer is diligent problem solvers who take ownership of their business function,” said Bruce Simmons, senior corporate recruiter. “Beyond that, though, we look for individuals that want to do something significant in their work lives with an inviting culture of like-minded people with interesting personalities and backgrounds."

 

What they do: Social media is an ever-changing, opaque industry, making it hard for marketers to take full advantage of all it has to offer. Strike Social uses artificial intelligence to improve social media advertising campaigns. It’s led campaigns for big names like Honda, Xbox and Mattel and won the 2016 Moxie Award for Best B2B startup.

Sweet perks: The company offers employees top-quality hardware, unlimited time off, company-sponsored happy hours and free snacks at its Loop offices. A casual dress code and frequent team outings help everyone feel relaxed at the office.

Note from the boss: "Strike Social is a fast-paced environment, so we look for people who are ready to come in and hit the ground running,” said recruiter Hannah Perron. “Go-getters who can learn quickly and contribute immediately fit in well here. Everyone enjoys coming to work, and we strive hard to maintain an unmatched culture."

 

 

What we do: Yep, that’s right — Built In is hiring, too! We’re a team that loves the local tech scene, from the latest startups and technology to the people who make it all happen. We are our target market, and in addition to articles like the one you're reading now, we're dedicated to helping tech companies hire the talent they need to thrive. 

Sweet perks: Catered lunch is on us, plus plenty of community events and a fully-stocked kitchen and fridge. We've also got an open office plan that's helped build a tight-knit team who shares in every win. Health, dental and vision insurance, a flexible working environment, unlimited PTO and options are also included in our perks package.  

Note from the boss: “We’re at our best when we’re working together to help local tech companies grow,” said Maria Christopoulos Katris, Built In’s co-founder and CEO. “And we’re growing — fast. We’ve got big goals and big ideas, but we’re looking for people to help make them that much bigger. As a team, we value transparency, trust, humility, accountability and passion, alongside the occasional glass of Kim Crawford. If you’ve got gumption, grit and an ounce or two of humor, you’ll fit right in.”

 

What they do: Consumer packaged goods often have detailed labels, but consumers and even retailers can have trouble understanding what those labels mean. Label Insight turns the data from those labels into helpful attributes that can inform customers and retailers on how to use and present products.

Sweet perks: A casual dress code, kegs of cold brew and beer, and unlimited vacation days help Label Insight employees keep stress levels low — as do the bring-your-dog-to-work days. A fully stocked kitchen balances healthy items with craveable snacks to keep workers going all day. Each week ends with a 360 meeting led by a transparent leadership team.

Note from the boss: “We founded the company with the belief we could help millions of people make better food choices by helping the industry become more transparent,” said vice president of customer intelligence Dagen Xavier. “It’s a cause we’re still inspired by today, and we’re building a team to help us fulfill this mission through product data. We look for people who first off, share our passion. We look for innovative problem solvers, people who aren’t afraid to take risks and those who embrace lifelong learning.”

 

Images via featured companies

Looking for more jobs? Check out our job board and follow us on Twitter @BuiltInChicago

 

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