This company wants to be well known. They don't realize that they already are well known in the market. As a company that is mediocre at best and likes to take short cuts. There are many very talented people, but they drive them out by constantly making promises they never intended to keep. They over-work the lower level employees to the point of sickness. You will often hear of companies that reward ineptitude and punish hard work. Well this company would win a gold medal in the Olympics of ineptitude rewarding. If you want to get ahead in this company, the secret is to spend the majority of your time making sure someone else does your job and then take credit for it when it is done well. If it is not done well, you will have someone to blame and take the heat. Also, make sure to be a "yes man" or "yes woman." Even if you know it goes against regulations or standard procedure. As long as you have someone to pin it on, you'll be good.
You do need to be careful about stepping on toes though. Some of the upper level management will make it a point to harass you or your manager on a daily basis, to the point where you will quit or be let go, just so the harassment will end.
Of course you have to get hired first. But you have to be careful there too. They love to do the bait and switch routine. They will list and interview you for one position. But they love to change your role, or manager after you have signed the acceptance letter. It happens quite often actually. Or they will tell you to just take this job, and we'll get you into "the job you really want" in a few months. That never happens. And they make it difficult to try to switch to open positions in the groups you would rather be working.
They have this career system that they think is pretty cool. It was finally developed after more than 10 years. Normally a hierarchy is based on skills obtained and responsibilities, but here it's really based on two things. Have you been here long enough in the management's eyes, and does the management like you. Because the RA I-III, or Analyst I-III, all pretty much do the same thing, just some have been there longer than others.
I really can't go on much longer without divulging too much restricted information. But be very wary of this company if you want a longer term career. Your career will end at the drop of a hat, and then you'll just have a job. See Advice to management.
