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Top 10 Reasons Steve Jobs Will Be Missed By Apple Employees

Glassdoor Team — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:52:01 +0000

As the world mourns the loss of Apple’s iconic founder, Steve Jobs, we are reminded of what an innovative and dynamic leader he was through the memories and words of those who knew best – the employees at Apple.

When Jobs stepped down as CEO of Apple this past August, he left the tech giant with an outstanding 97% approval rating among employees. That approval rating speaks volumes as it made Jobs the third highest rated CEO among all CEOs on Glassdoor at the time.

Below are just some of the reasons Steve Jobs will be missed by Apple employees:

1. “Steve Jobs is the Thomas Edison of this century…the Steve Jobs keynote presentations are as close to ‘rock star’ as an engineer is ever going to get.” – Apple Middle Manager (Cupertino, CA)

2. “You will have lots of opportunity to practice working in a somewhat chaotic, but often creative workplace, and to benefit from the genius of Steve Jobs.” – Apple Employee (Cupertino, CA)

3. “Steve Jobs is on top of things; if he see’s bureaucracy he will cut it out, and even if he doesn’t there is a fear that if he does see you as a bureaucrat he will cut you out.” – Apple Software Engineer IV (Cupertino, CA)

4. “Absolutely loved working for Uncle Steve. The corporation, even as a corporation, was a great thing to be a part of.” – Apple Genius (Mission Viejo, CA)

5. “Great senior level management, I can see how Steve Jobs gets voted the Best CEO.” – Apple Engineer (Cupertino, CA)

6. “Steve Jobs is revered at the company. He seems to be a great leader and everyone is excited about the products.” – Apple Employee (Cupertino, CA)

7. “It’s one of the most exciting places to work for! Watching Apple grow in the Steve 2.0 era has been nothing short of astonishing.” – Apple Network Engineer (Cupertino, CA)

8. “Apple takes care of its employees. Full time workers receive health benefits, all employees are offered stock options and very good prices on previous generation apple products.” – Apple Mac Specialist (location n/a)

9. “I am proud to say that I work for Apple. The products speak for themselves and it is great to be able to use them.” - Apple Project Manager (Austin, TX)

10. “Management is transparent and very friend, great colleagues, pleasant work environment in which you encouraged to be who you are.” – Apple Employee (location n/a)

Glassdoor Co-Founder Sounds Off On Steve Jobs’ Resignation

Glassdoor Team — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:16:10 +0000

With Apple CEO Steve Jobs stepping down as the company’s top boss, Glassdoor co-founder Tim Besse shares perspective on what this unexpected move may mean to employees.

What are your thoughts on Steve Jobs’ resignation as CEO?

Glassdoor Co-Founder Sounds Off On Steve Jobs’ Resignation is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

Mobile Companies & CEOs: Are They All Talk?

Glassdoor Team — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:00:43 +0000

As consumers, we are constantly inundated by the latest mobile offering, whether it’s the Motorola Xoom or the rumored iPhone Nano. While a company may either boast the “largest and most reliable network” or a product that “changes everything,” we wondered whether their promotional excitement is backed by the support and satisfaction of its employees. We turn our attention to see how employees in the mobile industry who either make mobile products or sell mobile services rate their employers and CEOs.

In addition, Mobile World Congress, the industry’s largest annual showcase, wrapped up last week and we evaluated how CEOs who spoke at this massive conference compare and how well their employees think they are leading the company.

Mobile Device Manufacturer Comparison

According to research firm Gartner, Nokia sold the highest number of mobile devices to end users in 2010. However, as Gartner reports, strong smart phone sales in the fourth quarter of 2010 pushed Apple and Research In Motion (RIM) up in their 2010 worldwide ranking of mobile device manufacturers therefore cutting into Nokia’s piece of the pie. But it’s not just revenue that keeps these two companies ahead – their companies are also highly respected by their employees.

On a 5-point scale, Apple receives a 3.8 (satisfied) company rating and RIM receives a 3.6 (satisfied) rating and Steve Jobs holds a 97% approval rating (3% disapproval). RIM’s co-CEOs don’t fare quite as well — Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis bring in a 78% approval rating (22% disapproval). While the year started off rough for Nokia’s new CEO Stephen Elop, employees have given him an87% approval rating, 13% disapproval.

Wireless Network Operators Comparison

Networks are typically lambasted by users, and they don’t seem to fare as well in the eyes of employees as well. In a comparison of 10 wireless network operators, just one receives a ‘satisfied’ rating– ALLTEL (3.9). Not one CEO in this comparison receives greater than an 80% approval rating. Three of the highest rated CEOs, with 20 ratings or more, in this category all receive approval ratings in the 70 percent range: ALLTEL’s Scott Ford (77% approval, 23% disapproval), Verizon Wireless’ Lowell McAdam (71% approval, 29% disapproval) and Sprint Nextel’s Dan Hesse (71% approval, 29% disapproval).

Mobile World Congress: Spotlighted Industry Speakers

Among the several industry leaders who spoke at this year’s Mobile World Congress, three CEOs have less than a 50% approval rating with employees including: AT&T’s Randall Stephenson (43% approval, 57% disapproval), Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer (48% approval, 52% disapproval) and Yahoo’s Carol Bartz (49% approval, 51% disapproval).

Just one CEO receives above a 90% approval rating – Google’s Eric Schmidt — and he’ll be leaving his post in early April. (We wonder how Larry Page will do.) Four other CEOs speaking at this year’s Mobile World Congress also fare pretty well in the eyes of employees: QUALCOMM’s Paul Jacobs (89% approval, 11% disapproval), Nokia’s Stephen Elop (87% approval, 13% disapproval), Cisco’s John Chambers (85% approval, 15% disapproval) and Intel’s Paul Otellini (84% approval, 16% disapproval).

Do you work for a company that’s deeply imbedded or that simply helps influence mobile? Tell us about your job, your company and how you think the industry is doing by sharing a company review on Glassdoor.

Mobile Companies & CEOs: Are They All Talk? is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

How To Know When Time Off For Illness Is A Good Thing

Vickie Elmer — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 19:20:09 +0000

This week, Steve Jobs announced his third medical leave from Apple Computer, the company he’s led to a string of successes and a stock market sparkler. Jobs’ reputation as a visionary anticipator of consumer tastes is also sky high.

For more middling managers, taking time off for an illness could be harder – and certainly will generate fewer headlines. People who are “at the top of their game” have more latitude to take a long leave or delegate much of their job, if needed, said Rosalind Joffe, a Boston-area career coach specializing in people with chronic illnesses. She has had multiple sclerosis for 30 years and other chronic conditions. “Most people can be replaced,” she said, though federal law provides some protections during a Family and Medical Leave Act break or under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Joffe’s best advice for those without Jobs’ stellar reputation is to keep working as much as you are able to – and know that the engagement can be good for you. Stay on as long as your health allows, but be attuned so you know when to let go. So how do you know when you should take off time for illness? Joffe suggests asking yourself these three questions:

How are your symptoms impacting you and your work performance? “On your own or with someone you trust, do a careful self-assessment,” she said. Consider how your anxiety and stress may be changing your management style and personality – and how that may read to coworkers around you.
What do I want to do, and need to do about the illness? Create a plan for yourself and your team. Figure out what kind of “workarounds” are necessary and estimate how much time off you may need. Look at your situation, the likely future path and take responsibility for managing it.
What am I going to tell people? Who needs to know about my illness? Some leaders with chronic illnesses clue in only members of their immediate team; others let everyone know. Do what’s necessary and what’s comfortable and what fits your style and culture, Joffe said. Then talk about your illness without emotion. Make it clear that you are committed to your job and your team as well as your health.

If you’re facing cancer or another disease with a long duration, consider joining a support group or enlisting some advice from a nonprofit such as Cancer and Careers.

Her other advice: “Keep your team on your side.” People usually don’t lose their jobs or their standing if they’re well-liked or if they bring extraordinary value to their employer. And while you’re on leave, depending on your job and your treatment, stay in touch and somewhat available to their colleagues. “You’re still seen as part of the team,” Joffe said.

How To Know When Time Off For Illness Is A Good Thing is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

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25 Best Tech Companies To Work For (Silicon Alley Business Insider with the help of Glassdoor)

Glassdoor Team — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:19:07 +0000

How does your tech employer rank among other companies in the industry? Today, Silicon Alley Insider reports on the 25 Best Tech Companies to Work For*, a list compiled with the help of Glassdoor.

Google, long known for employee perks offered at the Googleplex and beyond, topped the list. CEO Eric Schmidt holds a 97% approval rating and the company currently holds a 3.9 rating – and it’s not just because of the food. Employees are proud to be a part of the search king and comments include:

“Intelligent, hard-working co-workers who are all such interesting people with incredible talents beyond their work.” – Google Senior People Programs Specialist (Mountain View, CA)

“Upper management is very transparent and open.” – Google Employee (Seattle, WA)

Even with layoff concerns and recent employment uncertainty, Adobe ranks as the second best tech employer on SAI’s list. Employees note the collaborative environment and top notch products as a reason to love their job. Recent reviews include:

“I respect Adobe’s management/senior leadership and believe that the company has a solid strategy for meeting the challenges of the future.” – Adobe Employee (San Jose, CA)

“Very good benefits, from PTO to health plans. Discounted software. Flexible work hours – must be in core hours but able to work from home on occasion.” – Adobe Employee (San Francisco, CA)

What about current Wall Street favorite Apple (APPL)? Apple receives a company rating of 3.8 and comes in 4^th on the list of top 25 tech companies, and CEO Steve Jobs receives a 98% approval rating. Employees report on the focus around customer satisfaction while also being treated to high salaries, exceptional discounts and freebies, and solid benefits—but occasionally long hours. Recent reviews include:

“Great senior level management, I can see how Steve Jobs gets voted the Best CEO. Streamlined operations, very lean, disciplined and focused. You feel proud working for the company.” – Apple Engineer (Cupertino, CA)

“The best reason to work at Apple is that everyone is passionate about what they do. You work with people that share your interest in technology and more importantly are invested in helping people.” – Apple Genius (location n/a)

Click through to see what other tech workplaces made the Top 25 >>> with many photos provided by Glassdoor users.

Think your employer is a best place to work? See how companies stacked up on Glassdoor’s 2010 Best Places to Work list, an Employees’ Choice Award. Want yours to be considered for 2011 – or not – fill out a company review for your current employer or an employer within the past three years.

* Top 25 tech companies based on reports including 25 company and CEO approval ratings

25 Best Tech Companies To Work For (Silicon Alley Business Insider with the help of Glassdoor) is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

Best Places to Work vs. 100 Best Companies to Work For 2010 – Comparing Glassdoor and Fortune Rankings

Glassdoor Team — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:40:53 +0000

Today Fortune released their list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For 2010”, and we wanted to do a little side by side comparison to see how their list stacks up against Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work. While both lists rely on employee feedback, Glassdoor’s list exclusively represents Employees’ Choice as it takes into account all the anonymous company reviews submitted throughout the year, instead of a short period of time, and does not allow companies to nominate themselves – employees do that through surveys in which they rate and review their employer*.

What we found most interesting was that Glassdoor’s Best Place to Work, Southwest Airlines, was absent from their list, and our #2 slot, General Mills, was ranked #90. It was #1 on our list last year, and barely made Fortune’s rankings at #99. The number one company on Fortune’s listing, SAS, did not make the Best Places to Work top 50 because it had too few reviews to qualify, but it does have a 4.0 rating on Glassdoor, and the CEO, Jim Goodnight, has a 73% approval rating. Fortune’s #2 company, Edward Jones, was also lauded by employees on Glassdoor, however, it was #24 on our list.

Surprisingly Apple, which has been a mainstay on Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work and Top Rated CEO lists, was also missing from among Fortune’s ranks. It was also interesting to see Genetech noted as #19 – while most employees surveyed on Glassdoor as “satisfied” with their company, new CEO Pascal Soriat has a low 28% approval rating, which made Genentech ineligible for the company from Glassdoor’s list. (Last year, Genentech ranked #17 on the 2009 Best Places to Work list under then CEO Art Levinson, who had a 94% approval rating)

In all, only 10 of Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work cracked Fortune’s top 50, and 21 companies in total that were honored by Glassdoor made their “100 Best Companies to Work For 2010”.

Here’s how Fortune’s list compares to Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work:

How do you think the lists compare? Have they left off a really great place to work, or awarded a company that is only so-so? We welcome your opinion!

• NOTE: Folks at Glassdoor.com have participated in the Fortune application process at previous companies, and it typically has management dedicating considerable staff time and money in an attempt to “wow” the Fortune/Best Companies to Work For committee. In creating Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work, we decided our list would simply let employees voice be heard loud and clear.

Best Places to Work vs. 100 Best Companies to Work For 2010 – Comparing Glassdoor and Fortune Rankings is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

Job Recruiter Insights From Apple

Jeff Hunter — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:52:39 +0000

Glenn Kwarcinski is a senior technical recruiter in the Wireless Technologies Division of Apple. I worked with Glenn at Electronic Arts, where I learned that if you wanted sharp insights, quick action and direct feedback, Glenn was your man. He is a true rock star recruiter who is the kind of person you want on your side in a job search. I asked Glenn 10 questions about interviewing, staffing, recruiting, resumes and about everything else in between and here is what he said:

The dumbest thing a candidate ever told me… “I like that you have showers on campus, because that is where I like to take my one night stands.”

I go the extra mile for a candidate when… They are upfront and honest (no sales jobs).

I prefer referrals because… I appreciate them, but do not necessarily prefer them.

The best way to turn a bad interview around is… Recognize it, and ask to take a quick break to compose yourself.

My favorite source for great talent is… All of them – if you are great I will find you.

The optimal length of a resume is… 1-2 pages for a junior candidate, 3-4 pages for a senior candidate.

When I read a resume / profile I look for... Concise, applicable content that speaks to both the candidate’s team and individual accomplishments.

I read the objective section of a resume because... It shows if someone knows how to represent their strengths and interests in a concise and articulate way.

I have never hired a candidate who… demonstrated a lack of integrity.

The one thing I wish candidates understood is…. during the interview/offer process, the more transparent you are with me, the more I am able to address those things that are important to you.

We have one final recruiter in the Q&A series, and then we will start discussing what these responses mean for you and your job search.

Job Recruiter Insights From Apple is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

A Bite Out Of The Big Apple: Employee Dishes On Life Within The Tech Giant

Glassdoor Team — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:38:00 +0000

Thinking about buying an iPod or even a MacBook this year as a gift for that someone special? As you walk into an Apple store this year, we wanted to give you a behind the scenes look at what it’s like to work for the company that has captured the hearts (and wallets) of so many.

As our review of the month, this Apple employee is based out of the headquarter offices in Cupertino, Calif. and provides a comprehensive review with an honest perspective of the work culture at the company today.

The good things about working for Apple emphasized in this review include:

Outstanding opportunity to work with really smart people in your field.
Really interesting work in most areas (very little dull routine).
Financial health of company is excellent. Very good handle on cost management. Benefits are very good.
Really cool leading-edge products and services you can be proud to help develop.

The downside of working at Apple though comes as a reaction to the overall culture – and it appears that Apple’s reputation of being a ‘Fortress of Secrecy’ is still alive and well. The employee points out:

You will not know if you really “fit” the culture until about a year on the job.
Work-life balance can quickly become terrible for those who really understand systems and processes and how to manage them. The better you are, the less balance you can expect.
Management planning process – continual over-committing continues.
Secrecy bordering on paranoia can be a pain in the neck especially when it delays notice on necessary (and unplanned) changes in other areas.

Wrapping up the review, the employee offers some advice to senior management, pleading for more downtime between work projects. “Less recovery time between waves of project work is stressing people and systems to the extreme. Very few people will tell you how they really feel about the growing workload.”

Interested in reading more of what this reviewer had to say? Click here to be a fly on the wall at Apple.

A Bite Out Of The Big Apple: Employee Dishes On Life Within The Tech Giant is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

Job Recruiters Dish On What They Like About Their Careers, What They Don’t, And What They Get Asked In An Interview

Glassdoor Team — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:05:35 +0000

According to Glassdoor interview reviews, 15% have acquired a job interview with the help of a recruiter and 3% get an interview by working with a staffing agency. Given these findings, we were curious to find out what it’s like to be a recruiter or staffing agency professional in this market. What does it take in this economy for recruiters to pair job seekers with companies hiring? What’s challenging about the job these days? And what type of questions does a recruiter get asked when they are being interviewed for a job?

Based on the company and interview reviews on Glassdoor, we did some digging around to give you a better picture of what it’s really like to be a recruiter today.

What recruiters don’t like about their jobs: In a nutshell, being a recruiter requires long hours, sometimes a low commission based salary, and a continual uphill climb given a tough job market.

Long hours, commission brackets are impossible to reach, once you reach then you still aren’t making that much money. – Aerotek Recruiter

Overall, the staffing industry isn’t a prime place to be. Go in wanting to learn about the job market and what you need to succeed, and get out while you can. – Aerotek Recruiter

You will not have a personal life. – Spherion Recruiter

There isn’t much of a work-life balance, my average week as about 60 hours, and that was nothing compared to some of my colleagues. – Robert Half Recruiting Manager

In a down economy it’s about numbers vs. the past or the quality of the individual. – Kforce Account Manager/Recruiter

What recruiters do like about their jobs: On the plus side, recruiters enjoy getting to see firsthand the fruits of their labor, and some report that the more elbow grease you put into it the more you will get out of your career in recruiting.

You get to see the result of your hard work. There is nothing better than seeing a person get a position they really wanted and having them thank you for it. – Aerotek Recruiter

This job is exactly what you make of it. They reward hard work and integrity with chances to increase your load and advance. – Spherion Recruiter

Excellent opportunity to make money when the economy is doing well. The ability to earn commissions as a sales person there are excellent. – Robert Half Recruiting Manager

You are paid for your performance and income potential is unlimited. – Robert Half Recruiting Manager

Provides an insight into large corporations hiring practices or the lack there of. You can earn a decent entry level paycheck with a bachelors degree in social science or even liberal arts. – Volt Information Technical Recruiter

And last, but not least, what is it like to get a job as a recruiter or at a staffing agency in this market? What do recruiters get asked in an interview?

What does diversity mean to you? – TEKsystems Technical Recruiter

There is a man on the ground with a broken window and a rock in the same room. What happened? – Microsoft Recruiter

Tell me about a former colleague you didn’t get along with. – Apple Recruiter

What would you do if you got a job at a company and you hated it? – AeroTek Recruiter

Remember that this snapshot is just the tip of the iceberg for the recruiter and staffing agencies reviews on Glassdoor. If you have questions on how to determine if a recruiting job at a specific company is right for you, contact Glassdoor’s Clearview Collection, a panel of career experts with expertise in recruiting, HR and other workplace issues, with your questions (askclearview@glassdoor.com). Or, if you are looking to work with a recruiter and staffing agency, take some advice from Glassdoor career expert Jeff Hunter who offers tips on how to evaluate a job and career recruiter.

Job Recruiters Dish On What They Like About Their Careers, What They Don’t, And What They Get Asked In An Interview is a post from: Glassdoor Blog

Apple / Microsoft War is Back On: New Products and New Marketing Campaigns

Glassdoor Team — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:34:39 +0000

This was a big week for the computer industry – Apple continued to show strength with a favorable earnings report and new marketing campaign; Microsoft launched Windows 7 (in the hope of erasing Vista’s memory forever) and, while the company’s earnings fell 18% to $3.6 billion or 40 cents per share, they beat street estimates of 32 cents a share. This week also signaled a new battle between the two companies as they compete for user attention, and, as VentureBeat reporter Dean Takahashi pointed out, “The overall PC market is expected to grow just 2 percent in the third quarter. That means Apple is taking market share from Windows still.”

Apple has solidified its status as a media darling with its iPod and Mac products, but how do the companies really compare? And what about their respective leaders?

When looking at employee approval ratings of each CEO, Steve Jobs’ 90% approval helps solidify his iconic status, and he completely overshadows’ Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s rating of just 41%. In Glassdoor’s deeper analysis of 90-day trailing averages, Jobs’ has always held more than a 20 percentage point lead over Ballmer. Jobs’ rating took a dip in recent weeks, while Ballmer’s approval rating continued to stay low (20-40%) and could end up being the key reason that Microsoft does not make the Glassdoor Best Places to Work list again this year.

Microsoft has taken some knocks in the industry as of late, but what are its employees saying? Anonymous reviews on Glassdoor include some pointed feedback for the company’s leadership from within its ranks:

MS has the resources to invest in cutting edge tech. And, chances are your project/product will impact millions of users…[in advice to senior management] Stop hiding from Apple and take them head-on in the coolness factor (not the majority factor). Microsoft Program Manager (Redmond, WA)

Great people, benefits, work/life balance (if one takes cares of it)… [but] All decisions made by CEO slows down innovation path. – Microsoft Director of Marketing (Redmond, WA)

Microsoft is challenging. You will be stretched. You will never be bored…[in advice to senior management] Management need to take a hard look at their marketing and advertising strategy. Uncool advertising is so embarrassing for employees, who’d really like to be proud to work there. – Microsoft Process Engineer (Redmond, WA)

Microsoft gets the best and brightest talent from around the world and puts them in global, cross-functional teams…[but] Everyone is overloaded, so planning is often given short shrift which just starts the cycle all over again [and] Lack of transperancy creates a somewhat Macciavelian environment among managers. – Microsoft employee (St. Louis, MO)

Despite notable variances in CEO approval, the company ratings are a lot more competitive. Apple has generally had slightly higher company ratings than Microsoft since September 2008 through to August 2009. However, since August 2009 the company satisfaction ratings have started to close in. In fact, based on the 90-day trailing average for company ratings, Microsoft has taken a slight edge over Apple. As of October 16, Microsoft’s 90-day trailing average rating was 3.4 and Apple’s was 3.3.

According to reviews, Apple employees on the whole are satisfied with the company. But recent reviews do shed some light on the dip in ratings:

Great products, but not a great place to work…Executives are so indoctrinated in the Apple way of doing things that they’re not open to new approaches. – Apple employee (location n/a)

Excellent products that remain among the top in the industry…[but] No communication of ongoing issues with products. – Apple Specialist (Dallas, TX)

Exposure to leading edge technology [and] intelligent co-workers…[but] management makes no effort to find ongoing projects for employees when re-structuring occurs – employees are on-their-own. – Apple Engineer (Cupertino, CA)

Apple still has a great cachet [but] Everything depends on the next hit product and of Steve Jobs staying ahead of the competition. Although there is lots to like in Apple’s products, they have fallen behind before with Steve Jobs, and he will not be there forever. Apple Marketing Manager (location n/a)

However, if the recent marketing campaign is an indicator, Apple is even more serious about the competition with Microsoft:

Will Windows 7 help remove the shadow cast by Windows Vista? Or will effective marketing campaigns continue to help Apple steal market share from PCs? Tell us what you think.

Apple / Microsoft War is Back On: New Products and New Marketing Campaigns is a post from: Glassdoor Blog