Prós
XP is a small-medium size company who is growing in a fast pace due to acquisitions of smaller businesses. From my perspective the pros are (engineering's perspective): - Not a high pressure environment - Good work/life balance - Fair Pay (Based on job offers that i receive, it is on par with other similar businesses) - 401k - same as other companies - Medical is good, specially if you are single. The company pays 100%. - People are kind and willing to help (at least, where i work) - Management is investing in the company - Easy access to management (maybe because it is a small-ish company) - Haven't seen a lot of dirty politics or dog fights. It is not a very competitive environment, no backstabbing, or people pulling the rug out under you, etc .
Contras
- Small company, not too many growth opportunities. You will be stuck where you are for a while, for sure. - Bonus structure is horrible. Negotiate well your base comps, or you will be very frustrated later. - Not an unique culture, as XP is made of smaller companies, with which one having its own culture, processes, methods, etc. (there's a wish to change this, but it will be slow) - Processes are outdated. - Several areas are understaffed. We could deliver more and more effectively if we had more people. I understand the difficulties of hiring, pressures on headcount and avoiding panic/bubble hiring. But it is a trade off that management needs to carefully consider if they want to grow at a faster pace.