Workplace secrets revealed at Glassdoor.com

It usually takes a few months to really understand the inner workings of a workplace. Which is partly why it’s frustrating to jobhunt - there is no guarantee you’ll fit your new job, or whether it will fit you.

If you have a connection who’s worked there, great. Otherwise you can rely on the hardsell from your interviewer and a Google search, which usually yields marketing content and perhaps some bitter forum posts. Mind you, these days, helpful info is likely popping up on social networks too - though a few well-publicized blog-related firings may keep it in check.

Today I came across a new startup, Glassdoor.com, a “career and workplace community where anyone can find and anonymously share real-time reviews, ratings and salary details about specific jobs for specific employers — all for free”.

Indeed, employees and ex-employees are madly and candidly reviewing their workplaces and posting their salaries. The deal is that you must first post your own review before gaining access to all reviews and salaries. Luckily, there are sneak peeks for Deloitte and Google - some fascinating insider perspectives.

The reviews are fantastic. They are mostly consistent, which adds credibility, but diverse in detail and personal experience. Each one has a section for “Advice to Senior Management” and each review has comments! If I was able to read this type of content for any prospective employer, I’d be over the moon. Mind you, Glassdoor is only four months old and most reviewed companies are big players so far. Don’t expect to find your small agency…yet.

While it is not the first implementation of this concept, Glassdoor seems to be doing things right. They are careful about moderating reviews and keeping them high-quality. The “give content to get content” model pretty much guarantees a strong growth rate. And they’ve addressed employers directly by offering a special employer account and reminding them how much candid employee feedback is available.

If Glassdoor gains traction, I might expect to see some of my smaller past employers appear, which is where things get really interesting.