Pros
- You will be tested and pushed to your limits - The work done here is not really any different than what's done at the 'big' software firms like Microsoft or Amazon etc. This is mostly because it's a.... - Product-based company. - Great co-workers - No real dress code - Smart people Product-based company means that people around you care about good design and getting things done the right way. Working here will force you to improve as a coder (especially if you're a fresh college grad). You will see your products being used by people and it's really cool. The interviews also do a fairly good job of filtering out candidates so the people you work with will be smart and driven.
Kontras
- Management is inconsistent some good bosses, and some real micromanagers/procrastinators. - HCI is utterly ignored in most applications - Forget work/life balance. - Top-down management - VERY CORPORATE - horrible horrible horrrrible benefits and pretty lousy compensation - not enough innovation This place is full of immigrants who will be deported if they lose their job. The management knows this and works everyone accordingly. We spent 3 months of 70-80 hours a week and coming in on Saturdays to make a launch. This may not sound so bad, but it is horrible when combined with the fact that the pay is some 10-20k less than other similar positions and there aren't really enough rewards for doing well. We are told it 'doesn't make financial sense' to order dinner for employees who stay till 11pm+ at night working to make a launch for the company. We are also not given free soft drinks (which is really an industry norm) or free lunch or really anything. They also used to have cruises and other fun activities but stopped due to 'lack of financial feasibility.' These are pretty much the standard cons of the company. There are more specific pros and cons depending on the team. Some have managers that procrastinate till the last minute and expect everything to be done in a day/over the weekend when a tiny bit of planning could have avoided it all. On the other hand, some drive excellence and elegance and are a boon to work for. It all just depends on the luck of the draw.