Got an offer at Audible, wanted to ask about the firm. Including a few specific qs but any insight’s appreciated. - Recent reviews(taken w/🧂) mention office politics and fighting over resources/projects being one of the larger downsides, how exposed to that is someone as a low level IC? Other than the usual kissing ass - What’s PIP culture like? Similar to Amazon? - New CEO joined last year, has there been a cultural shift felt since then(going from founder to a career exec)? 2 YOE, TC 168 #tech #amazon #audible #faang
Audible is nice, I know someone who was an terrible eng lasted five years there (and still there)
:( Yeah, it's a lower hiring bar.
The Founder/Exec Chairman has a death grip on the company and won’t let go so no cultural changes with the new CEO. He’s basically Don Katz Jr. Lower level ICs might not feel as much of the politics but the reviews are true. If you just want to coast for a bit, it’s easier to ignore it.
Good place to stop and rest for a year before hopping to a bigger company it seems. How does team matching work? Can you ensure you get on a team with good WLB / no drama?
On the surface, there is fantastic culture. Free meals at the office, relaxed policies for return to office (for now - be ready), a barista, WFH supply expensing (policy needs revision for the future), great benefits (Amazon benefits + Audible extras), and an emphasis on being a community you can feel welcomed by. Pre-COVID, there were regular happy hours and every Wednesday they would cover a meal at a local restaurant for you. Politics is at the heart of everything at Audible, especially the review or promotion process. Now that they've standardized on Amazon leveling there will be far fewer promotions going around and the fighting will probably get even more fierce for those. My own VP-level director is more concerned about impressing Bob than he is on providing actual strategic vision in his group. Don has his head in the clouds, so the addition of Bob as CEO has honestly been a godsend, but it may be too little too late. He's been working to right the ship and is very focused on the actual management of the business. His more candid comments and insights give me hope that full acquisition by Amazon can be staved off for longer. Burnout and HEAVY-meeting-culture is prevalant and management has no clue on how to tackle these things. Most people I know are loaded up with work, but not much of it is interesting. The turnover of veterans over the past year has been pretty crazy. Someone had said it's a place to coast and... yeah. That hits the nail on the head. My skills are rusting away while I wait out the clock for my three years. Three years is the standard tenure at Audible for a reason.
"full acquisition by Amazon can be staved off for longer." A full acquisition from Amazon would be a godsend. IMO, Audible's self-imposed silo from the mothership is impeding innovation. Say what you will about Amazon, but they at least take risks on new ideas and maintain high standards.
How do you put burnout culture and place to coast in the same company? How does that work?
Audible is a rest and vest company. Super chill, culture is great, fun perks, and stocks are not backloaded (yet apparently). But your skills are gonna rot here. Processes are super slow but it’s very relaxing and the company actively cares for you.
Is L5 SDM in audible good ? Any insights ?
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Audible's amazing! Free food, incredibly chill wlb, much better benefits than Amazon and you get everything Amazon teams get + Audible only perks. If you're looking to grow your career, I would advise against it tho. Not nearly enough project scope to push for career growth but fun product to work on and amazing people. I don't think PIP is really a thing there lol. I'm sure it exists but it's nothing remotely close to Amazon. It's really a great place to work if you're optimizing for a chill life
What org/team are you in?