HBO Reviews

I have been working at HBO

Pros – Work-life balance, great people, flexibility and high degree of autonomy, comfortable and attractive offices, leading product, opportunity for skill growth

Cons – lack of advancement opportunities, advancement seems to be based more on politics than professional knowledge, ability and skill. Lack of formal processes, bottlenecks in decision making, lack of collaboration across departments

Advice to Senior Management – Look for talent in-house before hiring from the outside. Identify and groom talent from within and place in appropriate positions based on skills and abilities, vs. political prowess alone.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at HBO

Pros – The benefits and pay are OK.

Cons – No advancement
Politics / bureaucracy
Lack of ethics in management
Can be a cutthroat environment

Advice to Senior Management – Really understand the work and processes you manage. The lack of this knowledge is sadly obvious and incredibly costly.

I worked at HBO

Pros – A strong brand with a great reputation. Willing to put budget behind projects once they are finally approved. A well-oiled machine- people know what they are doing and it can be a very collaborative environment. Accomplishments are recognized and the company morale overall is very high. Salary, raises and bonuses are fair.

Cons – Such a wonderful place to work that people don't ever leave- making no room for upward mobility and creating fierce competition between those in the lower ranks jockeying for position. Too many layers of management. which can make for lots of red tape and delay progress.

Advice to Senior Management – Retire! Joking aside, HBO has very strong, intelligent and professional management. Increased flexibility and a faster response to changing demands in the industry would only strengthen the company.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I worked at HBO

Pros – The satisfaction of saying you work at HBO and the time off is very generous (4 weeks). The pay is also competitive, but again - it was good, not great.

Cons – The company is not as progressive as they portray. They give you just enough to keep you happy and not leave, but not enough for the WOW factor.

Advice to Senior Management – Please be more honest in the decision making process. The lack of knowledge leads to gossip and misinformation.

I worked at HBO

Pros – Work atmosphere, good people, nice offices, perks / swag / free stuff, flex time, benefits, appreciation for the work that you do.

Cons – Not as collaborative as it could/should be, overstaffed so too many people not doing much, little to no room for advancement. A lot of politics.

Advice to Senior Management – Should be more collaborative, more room for advancement, get rid of the many people who sit around, don't do much and fall under the radar. Need to take a really good look at what goes on there.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I worked at HBO

Pros – Nice work environment, pleasant managers, lots of diversity

Cons – The diversity didn't extend to age

Advice to Senior Management – The reputation here is that their hiring managers are ageist. I saw a lot of younger people leave their jobs at HBO for opportunities in other companies, so I don't see how hiring people who have a "5-year-plan" benefits most managers, as they end up spending more time and money replacing the ones who leave and training new employees, who also have their eye on the next level. Attn Managers: you'll get loyalty, a strong work ethic and positive attitudes from employees in the 45-50+ age range who would be proud to work at this company.

I worked at HBO

Pros – Every day was a new challenge and my coworkers all thought of innovative ways to reach their audience and best market the company.

Cons – Sometimes the hours were long and managers would pile on work towards the end of the day. Sometimes people would get anxious or upset and release their anger on their subordinates.

Advice to Senior Management – Keep doing the great work but also know that you must promote people in order to keep the talent you have at HBO.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at HBO

Pros – Has high regards in the industry, so it's a good way to brag.

Cons – On the production side, there is no chance for growth. Management stays in position to long limiting natural growth in your field and making decision making out dated.
HBO is very compartmentalized, no section of the company knows what other departments exist and/or do.

Advice to Senior Management – Create more transparency on different departments, better collaboration between departments.
Allow for better growth opportunities on the production side, so staff doesn't get stuck and 'bitter'.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

I worked at HBO

Pros – Excellent HR and Benefits Departments; Superior Sick Leave policy which can't be beat.; Potential for landing a great job within HBO if you are lucky enough to work for good and talented people; Nice cafeteria; some excellent perks; Great location; Nice to work for a network whose work you can respect (i.e. specials and documentaries).

Cons – I was paid a salary at HBO at $9,500 a year less than I had previously earned and which was $18,500 less than I am currently earning at my present job; Lack of talented, insightful management (i.e. Hiring Managers); Mindless, uncreative, beaurocratic “Worker-Bee” mentality; One of the many Office Managers there is a Diva in Her Own Mind whose only real talent appears to be as "Gossip Extraordinaire;" Too many star-struck egos lacking substance wanting to be celebrities; no recognition of--or appreciation for--truly talented employees.

Advice to Senior Management – Weed out and fire your Gossip Extraordinaires. They pollute the environment with all the "whispering" they excel at. Teach your Managers some desperately needed management skills and pay talented employees what they are worth.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at HBO

Pros – Great people, good benefits, fun product to work on

Cons – Poor management, limited opportunities for advancement, corporate politics

Advice to Senior Management – Judge managers based on the level of respect they've earned from their colleagues/staff