Comments on: What kind of company name is Internet Brands, anyway?

Question: What kind of company name is Internet Brands, anyway?

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:11:47 -0800

Need some career advice: Internet Brands has had me for a few interview for a Project Manager, but Glassdoor has some really bad things to say (and good, but those can be phony placements). Has anyone ever worked or know someone that worked there? What's it like?

I'll just put it out there that I want a super low stress environment and can care less if the company I work for actually accomplishes anything. This seems to be a major gripe on Glassdoor, and to me, is a bonus.

What I want so almost zero stress, ability to work remotely now and again, and a good work/life balance. If it's managing outsourced programmers updating a band-aid fixed PHP website, then so be it. Glass Door comments all say how low the pay is, but if they match what I want, then that's not an issue for me. The pay seems to be very low for programmers/developers, but the PM range seems in line with the market.

For those that don't know, IB is a website holding company. They started with CarsDirect.com and have since bought 100's of websites that make money. The range from enterprise level PHP backend How-to guides to "Bob's Listing of Bed and Breakfasts" running on an Access DB and FrontPage extensions. Really not cutting edge stuff, and run on shoe-string budgets.

By: ignignokt

ignignokt — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:24:43 -0800

It's probably worth interviewing to find out more.

I've been looking at Glassdoor over the past couple of weeks, and it seems to be both a place for axe grinding and for astroturfing. I don't think it's useless, though. While you can't trust the reviews there as-is, you can sometimes glean inferences about a company that happen to escape the editorial grasp of the review author.

For example, if you read a review that's clearly from the perspective that it is bad for a company to be slow-paced or not "startup-like", and the review complains that the company is not startup-like and is going to be eaten by the sharks, then you can reasonable give credence to the idea that the company is slow-paced and does not have a "startup culture." If this is good thing for you, great, if not, consider avoiding the company.

Sometimes, those reviews will also mention things that are Googlable, like massive layoffs or a CEO that has done X or Y. This can also be useful information.

By: showbiz_liz

showbiz_liz — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:25:50 -0800

Honestly... three stars on glassdoor isn't really THAT bad. And as you say, the complaints on that site seem to be things you'd enjoy!

This question seems like a maybe bad idea though... I mean how many people has that company interviewed for this position?

By: empath

empath — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:32:10 -0800

Especially for a company that concerned with SEO stuff. This question is bound to pop up with someone at the company.

By: amycup

amycup — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:48:05 -0800

I actually interviewed at IB and know a few people who worked there. I can't speak for every department, but the folks I know worked in ad operations and hated every second of it. They described it as hands down the worst job they'd ever had, complete with terrible bosses, soul sucking work, low pay and absolutely no perks.

As for me, my interview was so depressing I didn't even complete the paperwork. There was no way in hell I was taking that job. The manager I spoke with was a tool and the office environment felt more like an asylum than a pleasant place to be all day. Even better, they figured out that the company I was with at the time was having a high amount of attrition so they pitted all of us against each other and essentially interviewed every single person in my office. I think they made offers to 3 people and we were all so sketched out we ran screaming.

YMMV, but every time I see an open job there...I shudder.

By: wcfields

wcfields — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:21:58 -0800

amycup: "I actually interviewed at IB and know a few people who worked there. I can't speak for every department, but the folks I know worked in ad operations and hated every second of it. They described it as hands down the worst job they'd ever had, complete with terrible bosses, soul sucking work, low pay and absolutely no perks.

As for me, my interview was so depressing I didn't even complete the paperwork. There was no way in hell I was taking that job. The manager I spoke with was a tool and the office environment felt more like an asylum than a pleasant place to be all day. Even better, they figured out that the company I was with at the time was having a high amount of attrition so they pitted all of us against each other and essentially interviewed every single person in my office. I think they made offers to 3 people and we were all so sketched out we ran screaming.

YMMV, but every time I see an open job there...I shudder."

Coming out of the wood work to reveal myself . I canceled my interview, and have no reason to anonymously ask now.

I've already interviewed there twice and each time it's a waste of time, like I will meet with 4 separate people, they grill me, and then the recruiter comes and speaks with me. I've since had interviews at other places but, yeah, this place seems like it sucks.

First red flag should have been that they have an active recruiting department because their turnover is so high.