Pros
Amazing camaraderie. Orgasmic crescendos as an impossible task is completed barely 10 minutes before the deadline. Feeling like you are a part of something that can really take off. Yes, these were all the feelings and emotions I felt in plain text above. Such potential and possibilities will flow through your head as you realize just how scale-able (and hopefully profitable) such a service like Magic could be. You find yourself actually looking forward to work---what amazing situations could happen that day? What eclectic mix of people will you be foisted upon as you strive to make a name for yourself and show that you, yes, you can get the coveted 'closers' trophy. But then, you take a step back and look at the painting on the wall and look deeper...
Cons
...You realize you are in a small conference room packed to the gills with extension cords and hope. You go from teams of 5-6 people, to teams of 2 people, to just a team of yourself all in the space of a week's time. You're told to get it done. You get it done. You're told you aren't getting 'it done' enough, and need to do it better and faster. You have no breaks or set lunch time. But still, you push that rock up the hill...you have to get that trophy. Then reality hits you. You're pretty much in a call center. Your bosses don't know how to manage a pet dog notwithstanding such an out-of-control operation like this one. The rules and procedures change every hour. You are chided for not knowing the procedure before it has even been implemented. By the time its officially implemented you are chided again for once again, not following procedure. But, it's a start-up right? So, you let it go. Many meetings. All behind closed doors within mere feet from the main room. People you once knew go missing. New hires keep flooding in. More people you like stop showing up. Still, more new hires. You start questioning reality, but there's no time for that: you need to show you're busy and dedicated (not overwhelmed/overworked) by taking more leads! Seeing as there are five co-founders you can guarantee that if something isn't working that very hour, there surely will be another plan put into effect within the next. No one communicates important information in a timely fashion and management has no real experience beyond simply knowing someone. Lastly, and most importantly: it could easily be argued that the contractors at this company are actually employees in accordance with California labor laws. I will leave it at that.