Companies like Facebook, Microsoft and Google are in the news every other day. We know that these tech giants are some of the largest companies in the industry but does that mean that they are great places to work for? What does the gross value of a company or its annual turnover tell you about what it would be like working for them? Almost nothing.

There are many things that make a company a great one to work at - job security, employee benefits, a comfortable atmosphere, good salaries and perks, to name a few. While looking for an online course that will help you earn a better salary, you will check rankings, ask others for their recommendations and check Online Degree Reviews to know what others think of the course you have in mind. Similarly, while looking for a job, it is important to know what current employees feel about their workplace. If your goal is to work with tech companies, keep reading to know which ones make it to the list of "Top 5 Tech Companies to Work For in 2013".

#1 Facebook

Without a doubt, Facebook Inc. is one of the companies that have made a lasting impact on people all over the globe. It has changed the way people connect to each other and employees at this leading social media networking platform swear by the atmosphere and perks that the company offers them.

The world's largest social media network has more than 1 million active users and is constantly innovating to keep two steps ahead of its competitors. Facebook's philosophy is to "Move fast and break things" because only risk-takers stand to gain anything. Glassdoor has ranked Facebook #1 in their Employees' Choice 50 Best Places to Work. You can look forward to innovation, fast paced lifestyles and smart colleagues if you are chosen to work for Mark Zuckerberg's brainchild.

#2 Riverbed Technology

Riverbed Technology is San Francisco is best known for their WAN optimization solutions. Employees rank this company very high and it is said to foster an open, friendly and highly collaborative culture. It also happens to be one of the fastest growing companies that offers solid pay packages and employee benefits. The CEO of this company even sits in a cubicle that is identical to that of other employees!

#3 Google Inc.

Based in California, Google is a tech giant that seems to be steamrolling every competitor. So how does Google treat its employees? If employee reviews are to be believed then they want for absolutely nothing more. Google boasts of a great work atmosphere, creative teams and amenities that would put the best hotels in the world to shame! Employees can get their clothes dry cleaned, use services like an onsite car wash, motorcycle repair shop as well as a full range gym, fitness classes and even rock climbing walls for free!

What's more is that if a Google employee kicks the bucket while working for them, the company will dole out half their annual salary for the next 10 years to the surviving spouse/partner. And of course, the company offers pretty high salaries for software engineers and other employees.

#4 LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a great avenue for professionals to look for new jobs, get recommendations and network, but it is also one of the best places to work at. Established in 2003, LinkedIn is a fast growing social media networking platform that is attracting employees from all tech sectors. It is recommended for having a great work/life balance, high compensation, benefits and a senior management that believes in the culture and values of the company.

#5 Rackspace

Cloud computing vendor/hosting services Rackspace is rated high for being employee-centric. Employees are happy to identify themselves as Rackers and love the fact that their lives outside of work are also given importance. It is reckoned as a "great place to grow in a great culture."

Tech companies that narrowly missed making it to the list of the "Top 5 Tech Companies to Work For in 2013" are Gartner, Akamai - digital content delivery networking company, Workday, Salesforce.com - listed as the "most innovative company in America" by Forbes and software giant Citrix Systems. These companies round up the list of the top 10 tech companies to work for and are well known for believing that happy employees are productive employees.

Author Bio

Stephanie Colaco is a freelance writer, editor and former HR professional. An Honors college graduate, she spends her free time helping students/professionals achieve their academic goals by publishing articles and creating blog posts that answer their many questions on sites like CollegesandUniversities.org.

Image credit: lululemon athletica on Flickr