5 crazy things about working for Tiktok. (why we quit our PM and engineering jobs)

Introduction

In a recent conversation between Natalie, a former product manager at TikTok, and Lucas, an engineering team lead at the same company, they discussed their experiences contrasting TikTok's working environment with that of traditional Silicon Valley tech firms like Facebook and Airbnb. Here are five crazy things they uncovered about working at TikTok that might surprise you.

1. Heavy Reliance on Product Operations

One of the most notable differences between TikTok and American tech companies is the significant emphasis on product operations. At TikTok, each product team collaborates closely with a sizable product operations team. Before launching any new feature, teams must seek approval from product operations representatives across local offices. This approach ensures that features are properly localized and understood by target audiences. This heavy dependence on product operations gives TikTok a competitive edge in quickly entering new markets.

2. No Unit Tests or Code Approval

In stark contrast to the practices in Western companies, TikTok engineers do not typically write unit tests, nor are their code revisions subject to approval. Instead, the Quality Assurance (QA) teams handle testing, allowing engineers to focus solely on shipping features quickly. This methodology may seem reckless to some but has proven effective for maintaining the platform's performance without major outages.

3. Flat Organizational Structure

TikTok operates with a deeply flat organizational structure. Managers are responsible for an astonishing number of reports—one manager overseeing 50+ product managers and engineering leads managing over 180 direct reports. This structure often leads to a lack of personalized management, where the focus is more on project outcomes than individual career growth.

4. Unique Meeting Culture

Unlike many of their Western counterparts, TikTok employees hardly have regular one-on-one meetings. Large meeting sizes and infrequent individual check-ins reflect the cultural differences in managing relationships and collaboration across a vast number of employees. This could be attributed to the sheer scale of operations in China, where having frequent one-on-ones with all colleagues would be impractical.

5. Work-Life Balance and the 996 Culture

TikTok, like many Chinese companies, operates under the controversial "996" work culture—meaning employees are expected to work from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week. This relentless pace often leads to intense pressure, creating a work environment that feels more like a war zone than a typical corporate office. Salaries, however, can be enticing, especially for those wishing to transition into the middle class.

Overall, while TikTok offers numerous opportunities for career growth and exposure to international markets, those considering a position should be prepared for its cultural differences and work intensity.

Keyword

TikTok, Product Operations, Unit Tests, Code Approval, Organizational Structure, Work-Life Balance, 996 Culture, Quality Assurance, Engineering Management, Career Growth.

FAQ

Q: What is product operations at TikTok?
A: TikTok has dedicated product operations teams that work closely with product teams to ensure features are localized and understood by target audiences in various markets.

Q: Do engineers at TikTok write unit tests?
A: No, TikTok engineers typically do not write unit tests. Instead, they rely heavily on Quality Assurance teams to conduct thorough testing.

Q: How does TikTok's organizational structure differ from Western companies?
A: TikTok operates with a flat organizational structure where managers oversee many reports, often leading to limited personal management and career growth opportunities.

Q: Are one-on-one meetings common at TikTok?
A: No, one-on-ones are infrequent at TikTok compared to Western companies, primarily due to the large number of employees.

Q: What does the "996" work culture mean?
A: The "996" work culture in China implies that employees work from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week, creating a challenging work-life balance scenario.