- Culture is slowly eroding despite the "we're private" line. When I joined, I was sold a vision were layoffs never really occurred and people stay decades. In a few years, my whole reporting line has changed and turn over is really high- I've seen multiple layoffs without good reason (highly competent coworkers being let go), and my whole team, which was highly productive, has mostly turned over since I joined. Capital Group is in a precarious position with the rise of passive investing and generally negative sentiment towards actively managed funds. Yet, they refuse to make investments necessary to innovate and instead rely on endless pointless reorgs to help us be "agile". Beware of promises of "stability" and "long-term" thinking. Even leaders in the firm emphasize that we can't focus on anything long-term and need to just keep delivering "quick wins".
- Politics are unavoidable and key to succeeding in the firm. Several senior leaders and engineers who get things done have left, and many remaining in management are just those who can play politics well.
- Career advancement is nearly impossible past junior positions. I have heard leaders say "don't expect to be promoted, promotions don't happen here". Multiple leaders have told me to leave because CG doesn't have a anti-poaching policy and leaving is the best way for career advancement at this firm.
