Is there actually a difference in these two telecom giants? Is one place significantly better than the other in terms of TC, work, culture? Anybody worked for both? What's the general public impression?
Just as a rep. A good rep can make 70-100k+ at Verizon. Out of high school.
Not now! They have completely shifted commissions and it’s nowhere near the payouts we used to see.
I've worked for both: Both companies were great experiences professionally, if not a bit over the top for trying to be diversity-friendly(but which mega companies aren't trying to score brownie points with diversity?). TC is similar, AT&T retail is 100% union(ugh), Verizon is optional union. B2B is around the same for corporate culture, but AT&T seems to value family work-life times better. Culture in general for both companies can be heavy handed, but a lot of it comes down to the people you work for. Either it's a pain or it's enjoyable, because of the manager you work for. Hope that helps a bit.
On union vs. non. Only one of those companies can get your job back if you feel you were wrong terminated and plead down whatever punishment management wants to impose. Reps at AT&T have way longer tenure on average and with good reason. See above. The bad side to mobility is if you start out as an RSC the path to management is fiercely competitive and political. If you don’t feel like a favorite now, you won’t there, either. Know what you want to get out of it and think 4 steps ahead.
Both are Corporate Giants where one can thrive or get lost in the shuffle. I don't think either stands out in my view. I have close friends and peers who worked for Verizon and I used to work for ATT. Glad I left
Try T-Mobile! There is not a better company in telecom that treats its employees as well. No union necessary, many benefits are given. Rated multiple years in a row as a Best Place to Work-Forbes, HRC, Fierce Wireless, etc.
I can't speak for VZ, but if you get on with AT&T always have an exit plan in case you get surplussed.
Another vote for t-mobile over either of those two. But if you can, would also agree to stay out of telco - even banks might be a better employee experience.
Yeah, one starts with a V and one starts with an A