EQUIFAX

Equifax, Inc., is the largest supplier of credit information in the United States. Information from Equifax’s 190 million files is retrieved 25 million times a day in response to requests from organizations such as retailers and banks. In addition to credit reporting and check processing services, Equifax provides underwriting information to insurance companies, medical claims administration and analysis, physician certification checks to healthcare providers, market research and opinion surveys, electronic lottery sales and validation systems to state governments.

Founded in 1899, Equifax is a publicly –held corporation with revenues of $1.4 billion. The company has 13,000 employees, with 4,000 of these based at corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

Culture

Computer professionals work in cubicles in a nonsmoking environment. A preemployment background check and drug screening are required. Standard office hours are 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Overtime is generally not necessary; it depends on the project and is not compensated for positions from Senior Programmer/Analyst and above. Limited travel may be needed for pre- and post-sales support, applications support, internal consulting, and hardware installation support. Equifax offers its computer professionals a growing company, a technology-oriented environment, the opportunity to move into a client-server environment, and compensation package that includes incentive bonuses.

Equifax observes 10 holidays. Employees earn two weeks of vacation after one year, three weeks after four years, four weeks after fourteen years, and five weeks after twenty-four years. The company pays the majority of the costs of medical, dental, disability, and vision insurance. Equifax pays for life insurance and tuition reimbursement. The company funds retirement and profit-sharing plans. All employees are eligible for stock options and a 401(k) thrift plan to which the company contributes. There is a company credit union, a payroll deduction plan for savings bonds, and a car-leasing program. There have been layoffs during corporate restructurings. Affected employees were offered severance packages based on their length of service with the company.

Candidates

Equifax looks for computer professionals with specific technical expertise depending on the position being filled. Candidates should also have experience with large projects and strong analytical and design skills. Candidates should show initiative and flexibility. Experience working in more than one company helps provide a perspective on various environments that is helpful in Equifax’s mixed and changing environment. Current staff members have an average of three years to five years of experience and at least a Bachelor’s degree many have Master’s degrees. Equifax does hire entry-level computer professionals. Candidates should have an excellent academic background and co-op or intern experience.

Equifax finds the 150 computer professionals it hires a year through the Internet, job fairs, advertisements, employment agencies, and unsolicited resumes.

Contact

A letter or a fax is suggested. No phone calls will be accepted.

Mr. Harold Deal, Senior Technical Recruiter

Equifax Technology Center

1525 Windward Concourse

P.O. Box 74006

Alpharetta, Georgia 30202

Fax: (770) 740-7461

www.equifax.com

Copyright 1998. Carol L. Covin. Covin’s Southeast Computer Job Guide