Pros
They tend to hire more humble, kind people than the asset mgmt industry on average
Cons
The kind, humble people they hire tend to leave at a far quicker rate. Those that stay have a penchant for playing internal politics (least desirable coworkers). As a result of this adverse selection, what's left is an ever-growing share of bad coworkers who step on peers to get ahead, and micromanagers who excel at pressing the flesh. If your aspirations exceed being a middle manager in a back/middle office function, the portfolio management dept. (or firm more broadly) isn't for you. If the career path of company yes-man/yes-woman or corporate politician appeal to you with below-industry-average pay, it may be the place for you! If it is, though, know that your opportunities for advancement and pay rises will be few, as the firm's slice of the pie is shrinking. A juniorization of the workforce (e.g., discontinuation of the MBA intern and hiring channels) points to rising cost pressures, and the firm's inability to support the careers of ambitious young professionals. If a rising tide lifts all boats, then the opposite's true at DFA. Tide's gone out, leaving boats high and dry. Organizationally, decrees are handed down from on high. Tow the company line or risk your career prospects. For years the culture has rotted, festering like an open wound with each heavy-handed managerial misstep or promotion of a corporate replicant. For evidence look no further than the extremely high turnover rates across departments, or woeful employee satisfaction surveys.
