Great entry level or transition roles, but not a place to build a long-term career.
Pros
1. Mission culture. It is indeed "work that matters." It's fun knowing you genuinely help people. This will especially resonate with the younger crowd who need to be a part of a team. Aside from the mission, things like Wednesday Devotionals and epic Christmas parties have tremendous value for some. 2. Great entry level opportunities. No matter your role, some of the business principles taught there are worth more than an MBA if you let them soak in. If you're in your early 20's, I'd recommend a couple of years of work there in a heartbeat. See how that compares to college! (But for your personal growth and your bank account's growth, know when to leave. Be forewarned: many here "drink the kool aid" and start pretending like the company is Disney World, not the Real World. Don't get sucked in. Know when it's time to move on.) 3. Having this company's name on your resume will mean something to certain future employers. Even if they don't like Dave, they're likely familiar with the brand. 4. If you need a break from Corporate America, this place will be refreshing for a time. The honeymoon won't last forever, but the "no gossip policy" and generally kind attitudes of most of the team will make life easier. Some of the sweetest (but most naive) people I've ever met work there.
Cons
1. The company is in the middle of a mass exodus of great talent. Many of their best leaders (VPs as well as those in the trenches) have voluntarily left in the past two years. This is a dramatic shift from previous years when turnover was low. Moreover, many have jumped without having their next job lined up. What's that tell you? 2. The mission culture there also means that there is often mission-grade pay for your work. Too many people there are working second jobs to make ends meet. The low pay is especially well-known around town when it comes to working in skilled tech roles. If you're considering a sales role the pay may work out for you - you have earning potential others don't have. But heads up: get detailed comparisons, projections, promises and expectations before accepting the position. If the hiring manager won't share specifics, something is up. 3. When someone leaves the company (quits, gets fired or otherwise) it's like they disappear. There is rarely a company announcement or sendoff, even for those in prominent positions or who had been there for many years. People there unofficially call it the "Lampo Rapture." While this silence is often disguised as protecting the integrity or privacy of the departing party, it ultimately breeds distrust of leadership among the lower level employees. Not healthy. 4. Dave is a leader who is fair and full of integrity - with the information that he has. As his fame has increased and the company has grown, he has increasingly become out of touch with the people who have brought him where he is today. Keep in mind that what he hears about your performance (whether good or bad) is filtered and distilled through layers of corporate structure. If you get pegged for a screwup, make sure the truth is heard directly from your lips to all your leaders including Dave.
