M.S. Rau reviews

3.5

41% would recommend to a friend

(13 total reviews)
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Bill Rau

Not enough data to show CEO approval

78% positive business outlook

Reviews by job title

13 reviews
5.0
Jul 27, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working at M.S. Rau Antiques for the past 18 months has been extremely stimulating and rewarding. In a position such as mine within the Sales Department, you may be asked to wear many hats on any given day--conducting research, delving into ongoing projects, completing administrative tasks, writing content for online distribution, even traveling to cities around the country for trade shows from time to time. Sales Department management does a fantastic job assessing your strengths, assigning tasks accordingly, and formulating special projects specifically for you. On the flip side, you will also be expected to work hard to overcome any weaknesses that you may possess. The great majority of M.S. Rau Antiques employees are gracious, exceedingly kind individuals. As with any company revolving around the sale of high net-worth merchandise, competition sometimes turns fierce and you will need to work well under pressure. You are expected to perform at your highest level day in and day out--you are simply not allowed "off days." Although I chose to resign from my position to pursue an educational opportunity, I plan to stay in close contact with the company and my colleagues-turned-friends, and I wish the entire team all the best. In summation, for any fine art, jewelry, or antiques enthusiast, M.S. Rau Antiques is a wonderful place to work!

Cons

The work schedule you are expected to keep as an employee of M.S. Rau Antiques is sometimes exhausting. I personally worked alternating 4-day and 6-day weeks, while most other employees work consistent 5-day weeks with one additional Saturday required per month. That said, management is extremely generous with overtime pay!

3.0
Jan 17, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You are surrounded by beautiful things with rich histories, when you step into MS Rau you can't help but be taken in by your environment. You also have the privilege to work with interesting people with a wide range of personalities. The whole company, although it is not, still feels like a small company. Clients are interesting and challenging. The challenges make you a better in your role because you can learn so much, if you choose. You always need to be on top of your game. Whether it be 8 o'clock on a Monday morning or 2am on a Saturday night, the work never stops. In the art and antiques industry it is a blessing to be busy. Rau is established and is run by a very determined leader with an intense work ethic. You have to have similar values when working at Rau, otherwise you get left behind.

Cons

With that intensity, management has developed unrealistic expectations of their employees. They do not mind taking advantage of you. This could be financially, your personal time, or just exploiting you and your talents until you have nothing left.This goes beyond the workhorse mentality, and borderlines inappropriate behavior. Office politics are very present. Old rivalries and mean "girls" are everywhere, they will use you like a pawn. A strong HR department is very needed, but they can't or wont commit to that. This is a company that is struggling to move forward and adapt appropriate business management techniques for their size. We can only hope they can get that together. If they did, they could truly be a great company to work for. Continuing with the lack of HR initiatives there will never be an opportunity to advance. Do not think that you will move up in the company. There are no promotions or salary increases. If someone leaves, you will absorb their responsibilities with no hopes of a pay increase. In fact you may even be demoted when it comes time for your salary negotiations which you must beg for. Prepare to stay in the position you are hired and the salary you are first able to negotiate because it will not change. So somewhat harshly but with strong word of warning forget the living wage, personal time, or any self worth you thought you had. Unless you are part of the executive team, because then you are awesome.

5.0
Dec 22, 2016

Stimulating and Challenging!

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

One of the best parts of working at MS Rau is the lively and challenging culture. I learn something new every day! Also, there's a huge effort by the executive team's part to give attention to every single employee. My ideas are always heard and I constantly feel reinforced and supported by my co-workers and the management team.

Cons

From working here, my taste in jewelry is so refined that it terrifies my future fiance! :)

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