Pros
You’ll get a decent salary (when put in the context of a 40 HOUR work week). And then you’ll realize when you’re working 80 hours per week that the money isn’t worth it. The best thing that came of my time at Real Chemistry is the power to recognize my own self worth and know when an environment is too toxic to overcome.
Cons
There’s a reason they have a terrible retention rate. If you’re a junior level employee (Group Director and below), you are merely a number. No one will respect you. You are not allowed to have a life outside work. “Unlimited PTO” is offered because people are too afraid to use it, and if you do use it, you’re criticized in your performance review. You’ll be told you can’t say no to anyone more senior than you even if you’re overloaded because it’s “disrespectful”. The minute you question anyone more senior than you, they will start to target you and berate you until you have no choice but to quit. HR is a joke. If a senior level employee breaks company policy, HR will not help. I witnessed this several times and HR’s response was always to terminate the victim and never address the accused employee. When the client is happy, the senior leader gets credit. When the client isn’t happy, it’s always the junior employee’s fault, despite an obscene internal review process on every deliverable and email. People are promoted into leadership based on political ties in the company. Actual leadership and interpersonal skills are never considered. I had to get therapy after I left because of how much Real Chemistry ruined me. Run away as fast as you can.
