Edelman Reviews

I have been working at Edelman

Pros – Great atmosphere, smart and engaging people, creative environment where your thoughts and opinions matter. You can make your own path.

Cons – Low compensation and long hours but you will find that with any agency. Have to be forward and be your biggest cheerleader.

Advice to Senior Management – Continue to engage and listen to the junior staff and take into account their time and effort to complete tasks.

I worked at Edelman

Pros – You will learn a lot about media lists, media relations and social media while working here. This knowledge is very valuable. You will also learn a lot about office politics, which comes with a price but could be valuable eventually. Overall, the ultimate “pro” is that you will walk away with a major name in the PR industry on your resume.

Cons – To name a few cons, Edelman Seattle is full of poor management, favoritism and toxic people. If you are not a favorite of the general manager, upper management or HR don’t expect to get a promotion, a raise or even be heard when you have an issue. If your manager feels at all threatened by you and your talent, you will be demeaned in front of upper management and clients, not promoted for reasons you will only find out during your review and will be positioned by your manager as “not meeting the mark” (regardless of meeting/exceeding client expectations). Some other cons include low pay, long hours and very little appreciation.

Advice to Senior Management – You are losing talent to office politics, a terrible HR department and toxic people.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Edelman

Pros – There are many opportunities to learn and take on a variety of projects. There are also opportunities switch to difference practices. Edelman also encourages having a life outside of work and experiencing new things - I really value that and would hate to work for a place that doesn't encourage these values.

Cons – To me, the louder you are, the more recognition and promotional opportunities there are. It doesn't always seem fair that you must be extremely vocal in order to be given new responsibilities. There does seem to be heavy favoritism at this office. Sometimes it's too big for junior staff to have the chance to dive in and take on more meaty projects and roles.

Advice to Senior Management – Listen to the junior staff - we have good ideas too. Also, management needs to look at how people are evaluated and promoted. I was overlooked for not being outgoing enough - at least that's what it boils down to - while others with less experience were promoted at the same time I finally was. It didn't matter that I had great praise for the great work I was doing from everyone on the internal team as well as from clients.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Edelman

Pros – Great work-life balance, plenty of professional development opportunities, open-door management styles and top-notch clients. Smart and accomplished co-workers. One of the few PR companies with long-term career potential for newbies, and excellent about promoting from within.

Cons – The company is big enough that it can be difficult to get to a position of real influence. Furthermore, an employees experience varies largely based on the account they happen to work with, which is not uncommon for agency work. The real minus is the salaries. Unless you were brought on before the recession, chances are you're being paid below market.

Advice to Senior Management – Promotions, professional development opportunities and praise are excellent for morale and much appreciated. But if salaries don't increase when the economic situation stabilizes, there is sure to be a loss of talent to competing agencies.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Edelman

Pros – I have a fabulous manager. I have great work life balance. I am compensated well. I enjoy my work. The people are amazing.

Cons – I can't think of any. I honestly feel so grateful to work here. Richard Edelman is fabulous and I enjoy coming to work each day.

Advice to Senior Management – Stronger Leadership is needed in Chicago. Although they are competent, the leaders aren't heard from as often as they need to be.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Edelman

Pros – The people and ability to carve your own path.

Cons – Too many titles and employees constantly looking for promotion. We should be flatter.

Advice to Senior Management – Look closely at changing title structure and come up with new compensation plan.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Edelman

Pros – The work is very challenging and the issues and accounts are varied. The organization is also very entrepreneurial and dynamic.

Cons – The work life balance is completely off... especially for the those starting off. This is probably the case with most agencies.

Advice to Senior Management – They need to look out for their direct reports a little more and need to spend more time on career and skill developement.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Edelman

Pros – Brilliant people, good culture, well-recognized clients and an international brand. Edelman is definitely at the top of the communications industry.

Cons – Financial compensation is not something Edelman is known for, and there are politics at every level that make it hard to push through ideas.

Advice to Senior Management – Thank you for making it a priority for us to reach out and become a part of the Edelman global network.

I have been working at Edelman

Pros – Entrepreneurial spirit, leadership within the industry, good life / work balance, top notch clients, global presence, interesting issues and challenges

Cons – salaries are not nearly high enough for the caliber of people that work at Edelman, opportunities for advancement and promotion could be much better

Advice to Senior Management – recognize the hard work that employees do and reward them accordingly, more opportunities to visit other offices and learn from colleagues around the world

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Edelman

Pros – Good culture, interesting and prestigious clients

Cons – Technology tools sometimes lacking in IT area

Advice to Senior Management – none

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend