Sequenom Reviews

Current Employee – been working at Sequenom full-time

Pros – Sequenom is a company that is learning from their past mistakes and is trying to move in new and more diverse directions.They are branching out into more clia regulated testing as opposed to their past position as strictly an R&D lab.Diversification in any company is a good thing, especially in an economy such as ours.If you put too many eggs in one basket, they tend to get broken that way as their existence is so confined.If the eggs were spread out in many baskets, it would be so much less catastrophic if a basket fell once in a while.Sequenom's desire to grow by branching out in new areas is logical, practical, and purposeful.My spouse has experienced a company that does care for their employees through great benefits, including all the basics, even down to pet insurance if desired!They pay very fair wages and bonuses (not just to management), honor all the major holidays and then some, as well as giving good vacation time.As a whole, most managers/leads have great open door policies to discuss problems without fear of retribution or retaliation; they lead by example; and they try to take suggestions into account as much as is possible.Their growth is especially encouraging in these trying times as they are looking far into the future to insure their existence for generations to come.I can say without a doubt, that this is the most satisfied my spouse has been in any job or company in his/her nearly 20+ years of experience.

Cons – Some of the cons of working at Sequenom are that regulations, per California law, not Sequenom's, over-regulate what techs can perform certain portions of procedures, while others who are more than qualified can't perform them.It causes a lot of tension and often an attitude of superiority among many of the employees.Sequenom also has a very rigorous, and nearly impossible hiring policy in which they require 3 verbal recommendations by previous employers during reference checks.It's hard enough in these litigious times to get even 1 written recommendation, let alone 3 verbal recommendations.That process can cause the waiting time to get hired to be longer than what seems prudently necessary.Because of the quick growth right now, a lot is changing very quickly, setting a lot of staff in very uncertain situations.Most people as a whole hate change...scientific folks, as a whole, hate change with an incomprehensionable passion.So, if you are not prepared for a lot of directional/procedural changes,Sequenom is not the place for you.One last con is that it sometimes seems that management is extremely set in stone on certain procedures/rules/job positions/requirements and preach complete uniformity across the board, until it doesn't quite fit their plans, then all uniformity flies out the window.For example, say they have particular requirements for a certain position and they turn down person after person for their lack of qualifications, explaining how Sequenom will not put anybody in that position that is not a 100% match, to keep the process fair.However, if they have somebody in mind for that position,qualified or not, they will break their own rules when they want and will find some reason to justify their decision.Should that be a deal breaker to not work there? I say no, because truthfully, most, if not all companies have the same practice.While that certainly doesn't make it right, life is not fair and their pros far, far outweigh their cons.

Advice to Senior Management – 1. You can never over communicate with your staff.While many things are confidential at your level, share and over share what you can with your staff. People can easily take good news and bad news,but no news is the hardest to accept. 2. You can never over train your staff.Develop and practice better training procedures and programs.Your employees can't do the right thing unless they truly know and understand it. 3. You can never over appreciate your staff.A simple thank you, a smile, and a pat on the back/shake of the hand means the world to your staff.The more they feel appreciated and worthy to you, the harder they will work for you. 4. Treat your internal customers (your staff and outside departments) as well as you treat your out of company customers and clients. They deserve the best side of you too. 5. Show your employees that you are human too!So often,employees are afraid of their bosses simply because of their position.Tell a joke some time, sit and eat with them once in a while, share a story or a photo of your family.All of those simple things create trust and respect between each other. 6.Be patient with your staff and yourself as times are changing.If your staff sees you panic, they too will panic! 7. Stay the course...don't make changes just for the sake of change.Set a course that you mean to follow and follow it! 8. Don't try to grow the company up too fast.Just as childhood to humans is important, so too is the childhood in your company...it's where you develop all your important skills and relationships. 9. Don't make this job or any other be more important to you or your staff than your or their families are.Life is short.Don't live to work...work to live. 10. Thank yourself for the job you do. Because you may not hear thank you or "job well done" from your subordinates, you need to hear it from somebody! THANK YOU AND JOB WELL DONE!

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Sequenom full-time for more than 3 years

Pros – Pros: Company spends lots of money in unnecessary stuff...but TGIFs were great for those who remember the good old days.

Cons – Cons: unexperienced management

Sequenom is a good place for R&D if you are scientist. Specially great are the TGIFs...they cut back on those now.

However, if you are a CLS CAUTION and stay away from it. It was cited numerous times by CLIA and dont know why they are still open. You are much better off with working in Quest/Labcorp.

Advice to Senior Management – Their CLIA management sucks and still under training. Not a good place for a CLS

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Sequenom full-time

Pros – I feel like they care about employees and results. Harry wants to keep people informed and he makes and effort to talk to everyone from all levels. I feel like no one is afraid when he shows up. At my previous work place everyone would get nervous when the CEO popped by. It is a very friendly community that supports one another.

Cons – I get a little worried about its past but they are still trying.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Sequenom

Pros – Sequenom management was traumatized by their T21 law suit. Most of the officers were replaced.
Great happy hours.

Cons – Only officer get bounces. The employees are still learning how to use SAP. The company is running a defect, they may be out of business within 12 months.

Advice to Senior Management – R&D needs to focus on revenue generating options or sell/ license current unused tech.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend