Pros
- A LOT of opportunity to move around and explore different roles to see what you like. The company really does value promoting from within. The general rule of thumb is to work your position for around a year before you can move around. - Salary increases are predictable, which makes budgeting very easy. - It's hard to get fired. You would really have to screw up to lose your job. - Hours are flexible, great work life balance. - In the words of Jeff Bezos, it's "a 'country club' where people go to retire". Take that as you may.
Cons
- Company pays below market wages for jobs at corporate (usually around 15~20%). - A lot of people are jumping ship to other companies in the area because wages at corporate are below market and the cost of living in the Seattle area has been rising at a very rapid rate. People openly talk about leaving the company with each over lunch. On the flip side of this, you get a great work/life balance. So I believe that while the overall salary is low, you are paid fairly for the amount/level of work you do. - No tuition reimbursement or assistance with continued education. - Many roles are so narrow in scope that it is hard to develop transferable skills that are valued in the marketplace. Part of the reason why tenure is so high is because a lot of employees get "stuck". Some managers call it the "golden handcuffs". - I do NOT work in IS/IT, but I have heard from multiple sources that morale is low in that area of the company.