Level 3 Communications is a multinational telecommunications and Internet service provider whose Tier 1 provides core transport, IP, voice, video and content delivery for most medium to large Internet carriers in the Americas and Europe. The Broomfield, Colo., company is also the largest competitive local exchange carrier in the nation. And it's hiring. “We’re currently looking to fill about 350 technology-related positions globally. About 250 of those are U.S.-based," says Laurinda Pang, the company's chief Human Resources officer. Level 3's looking for software engineers, software architects, IT architects, IT project managers, network engineers, security architects, security engineers, IP engineers, Network Operations Center technicians and field operators, Pang told us. As a company on the cutting edge of telecom, it seeks out forward-thinking tech experts who appreciate an environment that supports rapid changes in technology. “We also greatly value people who are creative thinkers, continuous learners, team players and effective problem solvers,” Pang says.

The Ideal Candidate

Pang has several characteristics in mind for the ideal applicant. She says one of the most important things is "how well he or she embraces and demonstrates Level 3’s core values of integrity, ownership, performance, respect and commitment." She also looks at a candidate's self-motivation, attitude and ability to meet the specific tasks listed in the job description. As for the corporate culture, Pang calls it fast-paced and stimulating. “The kind of person that would be the best cultural fit is adaptable; team-oriented; able to 'thrive in the gray,' thinking creatively rather than in absolute blacks and whites; and is excited to help shape the way enterprises communicate and conduct their business.”

How to Apply

To stand out from the crowd, do your homework and demonstrate a point of view on how you can add value to the organization. “You can really tell if someone understands our business and industry, understands our core mission and values and wants to be part of our growing success,” Pang says. Pang urges candidates to be creative in their approach. “For example, present your portfolio as if you were selling to a customer. Do something different from other candidates. Be passionate about what you want to do, and why.” Like many HR executives, Pang is put off by resumes with typos or bad grammar. “You can have the best experience and education,” she tells us, “but if you don’t take time to closely proofread your resume, chances are slim that we’ll even bother reading past a mistake.”

Related Links

• Level 3 Communications