Pros
I have spent 3 years at Testlio and feel very grateful to be part of this team. It's been the most rewarding, challenging and fulfilling professional stop of my career thus far. Here’s why: Kindness - One of Testlio's core values is 'Be Kind' and that value is present in every corner of the business. It’s present in extensive programs around crisis aid, career development programs, to the numerous benefits Testlio offers employees; but its most obvious in the day to day in which Testlions treat each other. Testlio, like any growth stage company, faces a persistent set of challenges as it navigates serving 100’s of global customers and focused growth. Yet, amidst that, I feel lucky I get to work with a group of humans across the globe who treat each other with respect, dignity and a deep sense of empathy for one another. The ELT works well together, and is stable which is a foundation for cross team collaboration. People here care (a lot!) yet I have not seen our ambitions detract from the care and professionalism in which we interact with others. I sense people look out for one another, support one another and genuinely care for one another. It makes me proud to work here, and is the most rewarding part of Testlio day in and day out. Impact - Like mentioned above, despite being fully remote, Testlions care a lot about the work we do and the clients we partner with. Testlio partners with huge brands like Netflix, Paypal, Uber and the NBA on products we all use in our everyday lives. I find it energizing to wake up and feel like I am helping further the quality of a product during the day that I will likely use that same evening. My work feels like it matters, and I feel like our CEO does a nice job of praising me, appreciating me, and pushing me to the best version of myself I can be.. Internally, I also feel proud that due to our global reach and network of testers, we not only impact huge brands, but individuals lives as well. Our approach unlocks work/career opportunities for many in places where there may not be many (with above market compensation), yet doing so in a way that allows flexibility for people to optimize their lives. I feel lucky to work for a company that I genuinely believe is good for businesses and good for humanity. Culture - Testlio has a fully remote culture by design. While this may not be right for everyone, it has permitted me the opportunity to see my 2 year old daughter almost every day of her life (something I can’t say is true about my older son). Testlio talks about the concept of porosity (not balance) which I find to be an elevated way of thinking about work/life integration and for me, it's perfect for this phase of life. Beyond that, Testlio has the duality of operating like a growing startup - relatively flat org, close knit team, clear visibility into goals/performance/impact - all things I cherish which is why I have largely spent my career with companies of that size. Yet, unlike most ‘startups’, Testlio operates on a global scale which means the business hums around the clock, and permits me the opportunity to work, learn and build with people based in dozens of countries. On a personal level, I am someone who is perpetually fascinated in learning how incredibly different and similar humans are across the world. I had assumed that my interest in global business was a career tradeoff for joining a growth stage organization. At Testlio, I feel privileged that I do not have to make that tradeoff. All to say, I love my job here, and while not every day is sunshine and rainbows, (no company is) I find myself more deeply fulfilled personally and professionally compared to any other place I have worked, largely thanks to the high calibers of humans and leaders who work here as well.
Cons
Cons: Testlio is a great company, but not a great company for everyone in my opinion. The distributed by design concept requires individuals to operate with a high degree of discipline, focus, and time management. It is also a culture where you may go many months without seeing other Testlions, especially in some roles. So, for people who may be right out of college or early in their careers and are looking to forge in-person relationships, or participate in happy hours, it is not a good fit. Similarly, since you largely work from home, if you are someone who doesn’t have a clear space for work or has many distractions at home, it can be difficult. Separately, the work at Testlio is not easy.. It is challenging, requires patience, experimentation and resiliency. It can also be uneven, so for those who are looking for a ‘cushy’ work experience, this is not the place. The distribution by design can sometimes lull people into false expectations.
