A Place to Build a Rewarding and Meaningful Career
Pros
I've worked at Hanover longer than the average employee, so this review is intended to describe my own personal experience and what is possible to achieve for those who have the right attitude and ambition. I started at the entry-level and worked my way up receiving several promotions over the years. The company has always been fair and honest with me and I've never felt like I couldn't speak my mind. This is important. You can't expect your manager to read your mind. If you have a concern or feel you need a change, approach your manager and have an honest conversation. A lot of the negative reviews on here are folks who took zero initiative to help their own unhappy situation. No company is perfect, and in a company filled with young professionals, a lot of us are still figuring out what we want in a career. The management team really does care about its employees' well-being, which is evidenced by the number of employee surveys, robust benefits package, staff luncheons, snacks, happy hours, Redskins box, and many other company sponsored events and activities. Yes, the pay could be better, but it's a trade-off. If you just want the most money, shop around. If you're looking for a place where you can have autonomy, exercise creativity in the work you do, have great work/life balance, flexible time-off, and work alongside an incredibly smart, talented, and friendly group of people, Hanover is a great place to be. A word about compensation: Starting salaries are not the highest, but there is serious potential to earn a very nice income for those who work hard, achieve results, and stay at the company. I've seen people leave Hanover prematurely, chasing a higher salary only to find they aren't any happier (or less happy) with their career. Be patient, do good work, and the money will follow. Another piece of advice: try to start with the end in mind. Have personal career goals. If you're entry-level, what sort of work would you like to be doing in 1, 3, 5 years? If you work hard in the beginning, you can choose your own path. Hanover rewards and provides ample opportunities for those who work hard and do whatever it takes to make the company more successful. Other pros: recently renovated office space (really nice improvements!), free coffee, nice location right off the metro and pretty convenient parking, break-rooms with bean-bag chairs, TVs, yoga rooms, 401k with matching, and external professional development opportunities.
Cons
Despite being in business for over a decade, Hanover still has a "startup" feel to it. This can mean several things, but for me it means that there isn't always structure. This can be a pro for some, but certainly a con for many. You have to take responsibility and be accountable for your own success. What systems there are in place are not necessarily going to make it "easy" for you to hit your goals. At least on the Content side, I wish the culture was geared a bit more towards cultivation and collaboration instead of leaving staff to their own devices on projects. It would also help if Research Associates could gain more exposure and experience by being on the phone or in front of clients. I think this would help them find more meaning and connect their day-to-day work with a sense of purpose.
