A great career start heads south - Researcher Forrester Employee Review

2.0
May 26, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Forrester is a relatively small company that tries to foster an exciting and collegial environment for its younger employees. The senior management goes out of its way to offer transparency in the company's strategy and performance, and it often does so with a great sense of humor and vitality. There is always opportunity to take ownership of a special project, advance a new methodology, or own a process.

Cons

Forrester often thinks and tries to act like a billion dollar company, but its execution always resembles that of a small company. This translates to a constant state of very high expectations and few resources to realistically pull anything off well. This often trickles down to frustration as the worker bees must "make it work" and deal with tactical headaches. Salaries are very low, especially for recent graduates and negotiation is not possible. The expectations for quality, volume, and turnaround of work are unreasonably high in my own experience, given the lack of compensation. In general, competent employees are overworked while others slide by. The opportunity to take on more responsibility and do additional work is always available, but only if an employee is willing to work much much more than 40+ hours per week. In time, taking on more work is "rewarded" by a reset in manager expectations such that the overtime being put in (and not compensated for) is considered normal or the low bar. Standards for promotion vary wildly for the same positions around the company, leading to some animosity among junior research staff. At times it seems some are rewarded because they market themselves, almost shamelessly, to get ahead.

Explore other reviews about Forrester

5.0
Jun 1, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Forrester is a truly rewarding place to work. I feel like I make a meaningful difference every day, both for our clients and within the organization. The colleagues here are exceptional. They are smart, collaborative, and genuinely supportive. I’m constantly learning from a talented group of people who care deeply about the quality of their work and the impact it has. The culture encourages thoughtful problem-solving, professional growth, and doing work that matters.

Cons

The most challenging aspect right now is the current business performance, which can create uncertainty and added pressure across teams. At times, this environment can impact workloads, decision-making speed, and overall predictability.

2
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Forrester Response
1mo
Thank you for your many years of contribution to Forrester ! I’m really glad to hear how strongly you feel about your colleagues and the impact of the work. It's wonderful to see the combination of thoughtful problem-solving, collaboration, and meaningful outcomes reflected in your experience. You’re also right to call out the challenges of the current business environment. Periods of change and performance pressure can create uncertainty, and I know that can impact workload, pace, and predictability. I am confident we are on the right path towards growth this year and it wouldnt have been possible without great colleagues like you. Thank you again for your candid feedback, it means a great deal coming from someone with such deep experience at Forrester. Jobina Gonsalves Chief People Officer
3.0
Jun 23, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Smart people work here, work-life balance is ideal if you have a good manager.

Cons

Morale is low, leadership is extremely out of touch with the sentiments of the workforce.

1
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