Pros
1. VERY generous benefits package:
PTO includes 15-25 vacation days (depending on tenure), 5 sick days, paid holidays, floating holidays to accommodate your own preferred holidays, paid volunteer time, and a 6-week sabbatical.
Parental leave includes up to 16 weeks paid and 8 extra weeks unpaid. As well as the ability to have flex time and a modified schedule once returning to work, and a dependent care FSA with Instrument match.
Medical/hardship/bereavement/military/crime victims leave.
Amazing health care coverage, dental, and vision. PPO health plans can be selected at a very reasonable employee contribution, or you can elect an HDHP at $0 employee contribution (and Instrument starts your account off right with a contribution to your HSA).
Short and long term disability + included life insurance.
401k Match, Profit Sharing + other benefits and perks
2. Solutions can come from anywhere, and questions can be asked of anyone.
You aren’t stuck in the description of your role - ideas are encouraged by everyone.
I started at the most entry-level role at the company, and have felt welcomed by every individual I have encountered - no matter the discipline, team, or role. I have never before worked for a company where I could just strike up a conversation with the CEO and feel valued for my perspective.
3. Autonomy
I personally enjoy the level of autonomy, with resources and support still within reach when requested. You won’t have your hand held, or have a helicopter manager, or be asked to fill out timesheets - so if you require a lot of structure, it may take some getting used to.
4. You work with incredible humans
The most talented, curious, kind, and humble people I have ever met. This is not an exaggeration, the people are why I applied and why I have stayed.
As an introvert, I was worried about the “clique culture” others have mentioned here, but I have never personally experienced this. Teams can become very close because they are constantly working together, but I have always found that if I put out kindness I receive it back.
Cons
1. Growing Pains in 2020
Instrument has grown quickly and is working to grow operations to support. There has been some disconnect between Operations and client-facing teams as communication can come too late. Perhaps this is only noticeable because we have such high expectations for Instrument to begin with.
An unforeseen pandemic, a social movement, and a tense political climate have definitely lit a fire, and I can see how hard everyone is working to support these new goals of the company.
2. Remote Work/Life Balance
Instrument has always been an advocate for healthy work/life balance, and I still believe this to be true. However, it is a little more difficult to set up boundaries without the physical boundary of leaving an office space, the trickle-down pressure from clients, and the juggling of multiple time-zones.
Advocate for yourself, block your calendar, communicate proactively and often, and your space and time will be respected.
