Getting information from someone on what it is like to work for a specific organization can be invaluable. Well, imagine getting the skinny from multiple employees, both current and past.
Learning all about a company through employee ratings and reviews can incentivize you to apply to a particular company–or steer you clear of somewhere uninviting.
Knowing how and where to find employee reviews of a company is crucial for job seekers as they provide valuable insights into the work environment, culture, and management practices making for more informed job search decisions.
In this article, you’ll discover:
What is a review for a company?
Why are company reviews so important?
Are employees allowed to leave reviews?
Are employees required to give reviews?
Can employers delete reviews?
Where do I find company employee reviews?
How do I read employee reviews?
What is a review for a company?
A review or rating is feedback provided by employees about their experience working for a particular company. Those employee reviews and ratings can include information about the company's work environment, culture, management style, benefits, compensation, career growth opportunities, and overall satisfaction.
Typically, these reviews and ratings are left on a third-party platform that are internet searchable, easy to navigate, and are a great resource when conducting research.
Why are company reviews by employees so important?
For job seekers, company reviews by current and past employees can provide valuable insights into the company's culture and work environment, helping them to make informed decisions about applying for a job and accepting a job offer.
In addition, employee company reviews can help job seekers prepare for interviews by letting them know what to expect from the interview process and providing insight into compensation packages. That last one leads to more power when negotiating a starting salary.
Are employees allowed to leave reviews?
Yes, employees are allowed to leave reviews and ratings of their employers and may even be encouraged to do so. It is important to know that some companies may have policies and guidelines centered around employees leaving reviews.
In short, employees have the right to express their experience as an employee with a company, along with sharing their opinions, but they must exercise good judgment and discretion when doing so.
Are employees required to give reviews?
No, employees are not required to give reviews of their employer, but they may be asked to provide feedback through various channels such as surveys or performance evaluations. Companies may then choose to use the employee’s feedback on the company website or other promotional material as social proof of the organization’s culture.
Can employers delete reviews?
No, an employer does not have the right to delete reviews left by current or former employees on third-party review websites. Now, with that being said, an employer does have the right to request that a review be removed if the review is false or includes defamatory information.
The review websites have their own terms of service and community guidelines that govern what content is allowed on their platforms, and they typically do not allow employers to delete reviews unless they violate those guidelines.
Most likely, a company will professionally respond to negative reviews so as not to draw any backlash nor appear to suppress current and former employees’ right to express their opinions.
Where do I find company reviews by employees?
Employee reviews of specific companies can be posted on various platforms, such as job search websites, social media, and business directories. They can be anonymous or attributed to the reviewer's name and can include both positive and negative feedback.
There are several websites and platforms where you can find company reviews when applying for a job. Here are some popular options:
Company website - The first place to start your research is with the company website. Check the About page of the website, along with Reviews.
Glassdoor - This is one of the most popular websites for company reviews. It allows current and former employees to anonymously review their employer, including rating the company's overall culture, CEO approval rating, and more.
Indeed - This job search website also includes company reviews and ratings from current and former employees. You can filter reviews by job title, location, and more.
Google Reviews - You can also check the company's Google Business profile for reviews from customers and employees.
CareerBliss - This website offers company reviews and ratings as well as salary information and job listings.
Yelp - You can leave and check reviews from customers and employees.
Social media platforms – Social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter are great resources to learn more about a company from current and former employees.
Check out these 12 professional social network alternatives for LinkedIn, where you may also find reviews of organizations by current and past employees.
Do you know these 12 professional social network alternatives for LinkedIn?
How do I read company reviews?
When reading employee reviews of a company, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Look for patterns: Read multiple reviews and keep an eye out for certain patterns, both good and bad.
Consider the source: Keep in mind the human factor that some people may leave false and damaging reviews and ratings as a way to hurt the company.
Read both positive and negative reviews: Be sure to do your due diligence and read both the positive and negative reviews to help you make a more informed decision.
Look beyond the rating: Don’t just take the quantitative approach and rely solely on the overall rating, but take into account the qualitative content to get the complete picture.
Consider the date of the review: Things change over time, and so do companies. Be sure to check the date, as a poor rating or review may have been some time ago, and since then, the company may have made great strides in changing for the better.
Key Takeaways
Knowing how and where to find employee reviews of a company is crucial for job seekers when making informed decisions on where to apply to jobs.
Employee reviews and ratings can include information about the company's work environment, culture, management style, benefits, compensation, career growth opportunities, and overall satisfaction.
Employee reviews of specific companies can be posted on various platforms such as company websites, job search websites, social media, and business directories.
There are several things to keep in mind when reading employee reviews such as looking for patterns, considering the source, noting the date, and others that will help you make an informed decision about a company.
