CNET Networks Reviews

Pros

Coworkers are passionate about technology, and everyone loves being surrounded by others in the same boat. There are so many different departments within CNET that cover different facets of tech, that a good employee has the opportunity to prove themselves, then move around the company to try new things. One of the best things: Benefits are practically cadillac grade. AWESOME (and I miss it dearly)

Cons

Since being purchased by CBS, a little more of that big company bureaucracy continued to creep in. Raises and promotions are sometimes only aided by your insistence of them. Pay is... so-so.

Pros

Great location in downtown San Francisco, wonderful people that work there, open environment, afterwork parties every Thursday of the month

Cons

Salaries are lower than average, raises are very small, benefits are below average compared to the leading Software services companies

Advice to Senior Management

Senior management should listen more to the employees, middle management on average is doing a great job within the company

Pros

CNET is a fun, open-minded, fast-paced place to work. The company alues diversity and individuality and it shows. Supports work-life balance. One can grow in their job and advance.

Cons

CNET can be a bit silo-ed with one hand not knowing what the other is doing.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep pedal to the medal. Though CNET pioneered new media, there are a lot of nimble competitors in each vertical these days.

Pros

The people and culture of the company is the best thing about the company. The work environment is full of passionate people.

Cons

The only real downside to the company is that the overall compensation range for employees is a lot lower than comparable companies in the industry.

Advice to Senior Management

The company needs to address the compensation aspect in order to increase the possibility of recruiting and hiring highly skilled employees and increasing employee retention.

Pros

Writing about interesting things. Good technical infrastructure.

Cons

It's a sweat shop for editorial staff. We just crank out copy and we can never crank out enough.

Advice to Senior Management

Hire robots to do the job.

Pros

The work is meaningful, you always have an idea how your work is contributing at a grander scale of things. Good working environment, stress is always present but not really felt.

Cons

Employee benefits are decent, nothing special. On occasions, the business-side of things could not fathom the challenges in the IT side which makes communication slightly challenging. But I think this is an equal challenge in almost every organization.

Advice to Senior Management

Too focused on CNET in US and need more time going to CNET UK, Australia, Europe and Asia to conduct townhall and meetings.

Pros

CNET Networks is a good employer that values its employees. I had a great time working there, I worked hard but the management recognized the importance of work/life balance and of creating a pleasant office work culture.

Cons

The only downside I can think of is the company was acquired which meant some jobs were added and somb jobs lost.

Advice to Senior Management

My feedback is it all seems good. I have no other advice to give to the leadership at CNET Networks

Pros

Working for established brands and some fun social activities.

Cons

Too much dependence on legacy systems and too little knowledge and or documentation on how those systems work.

Advice to Senior Management

Take the time to build systems the right way, rather than quickly and poorly.

Pros

Culturally, CNET has a lot to offer. For the most part its employees are sociable and make work a pleasure.

Cons

There has been a marked decrease in the quality of middle management. Career development has, in virtually all cases I've experienced or borne witness too, been the last priority. Many line managers appear to more concerned with political advancement then in building the organization around them. When the downturn lessens, I would not be surprised to see large numbers of mission critical employees jumping ship.

Advice to Senior Management

Work to develop middle management and improve your employee retention focus.

Pros

CNET has a large organization with many areas of expertise in which to work.

Cons

Compared to similar organizations, the compensation is far below the industry standard for most positions.

Advice to Senior Management

Take a hard look at your retention policies and compensation for all senior managers. Is it in line with their goals? Are all SVPs contributing the same level of knowledge and guidance?