Pros
Coram is built on its hiring standards. I will always maintain that colleagues are the most important factor to consider when joining a new company. Sometimes the work is dull; sometimes the scale of the challenge is overwhelming; but everything feels far more worthwhile (and that little bit easier) when you're a part of a group of like-minded people attacking problems together. I'm pretty sure 'vibes' and 'attitude' are held in high enough regard during the hiring process that, if you make the cut, it's in no small part down to how well you'll fit in with the rest of the team. I have built some great friendships at Coram -- ones that I hope will last for a very long time. The all-for-one and one-for-all approach breeds a sense of camaraderie and belonging that is all too often dismissed as unimportant. These are the people who quietly pick up your slack on a hard day (or wait patiently when you're a few tickets behind), and whose wins you find yourself celebrating as though they were your own. I believe this is the lifeblood of Coram, and one of the main reasons why we're so successful. And none of this is to say the work itself isn't engaging, that the aims aren't high, or that the drive to outstrip the competition isn't borderline rabid. And all of it sits beneath a leadership team that does exactly that: leads. From the front. It's trickle-down tenacity at its finest and most infectious. I've felt that pull directly, working closely alongside (and desperately trying to keep up with) the people setting the pace . The opportunities are endless... really. As long as you're adding value, as long as you're carrying your weight, as long as you're supporting the cause with ambition and vigour, you'll be given the chance to contribute your very best. For me, that's come in the form of being the connective tissue between what we build and the people who use it; making sure that as our products grow and evolve at breakneck pace, the way they communicate with our users stays accurate, clear, and trustworthy. My work is detailed, and often invisible, but I care deeply about getting it exactly right. And that, I think, is the whole point. At Coram, every role feels like it matters and makes a difference.
Cons
Honestly, few and far between. - The work-life balance can be a little off; there's a sense that going above and beyond is built in to the role... But this is pretty normal for startups (and is something that will be openly admitted during your interview!!) -- and honestly, I haven't felt too much of this myself. I do, however, worry that the worth ethic of some of my colleagues is taken advantage of, since they aren't confident enough to speak up for themselves about the pressure they're under. - Once you're up and running, there isn't as much as you might hope for in the way of mentorship or close involvement from leadership. You are expected to deliver consistently high quality work, and to shout (loudly and repetitively) if you're sinking. Though this is invariably nullified by the support you get from your peers, and is usually recognised and rectified once noticed. - The amount of praise and recognition is improving from "very limited, if any" to "occasional"; I believe there could be more positive feedback, especially for those that express how helpful it is to them. I value an encouraging voice very much, but often those from whom it might come are too busy to realise its worth.