Pros
- Huge growth potential - Emerging technology - Easy to make internal transfers - Lots of opportunity for individuals of all levels to carve out areas of expertise and programs to own - Fantastic mechanisms in place for vision setting, delivery, etc. - Amazon is typically "great" at everything they offer to customers--developing their own tools/technology, solving problems quickly, the quality of delivered products, etc. If you like working for the best, Amazon is it. - People here are brilliant. You get a PhD level education quickly. - If you're great at ownership and delivery, you can experience fantastic work flexibility and balance (see cons for flip side). I've worked here for years in multiple orgs and have never downloaded email on my phone or worked a weekend.
Cons
- Ownership is used as an excuse to not provide direction or support - Managers are rarely allowed to truly manage - must also deliver as individuals - Very difficult to be promoted - Leadership is overwhelmed by scale and out of touch with employees - Few benefits - Average compensation - Frequent management changes and reorganizations mean that employee expectations and growth plans are often changed - Easy to get lost in huge company. Hard to get visibility. - HR protects the company, NOT the employees. - Little to no accountability for managers who make decisions that negatively affect those that work for them - If you are NOT naturally inclined to ownership and have trouble quickly delivering expectations, you will quickly be overwhelmed and will have no work life balance.