Where to start… On paper, Artefact seems like a great place to be. They tell you that you can choose your projects, lead a team without interference and be part of an inclusive environment. The reality is that the business has been in severe decline for several years. You’ll be lucky just to get assigned to a billable project. The leadership team is a collection of individuals simply trying to maintain their power and play politic in a failing company. Challenge a way of thinking and you’ll be met with smiles to your face, while the member of the “leadership” team you looked at the wrong way, plots how to remove you from the project or worse, the company. There is a profit sharing plan, but the payouts, even in a successful year, are close to meaningless.
Thinking about joining the company? Ask about layoffs (there have been several rounds over the past few years). Ask about the company’s strategy (zero execution and it will change every quarter after the “leadership” offsite). Ask about who the main clients are.