What an OFFICE can tell you about a Company

I have walked through the doors of several companies in the past several months and have made many mental notes on what I saw.

1. One place had a shabby building with an elevator that didn't arrive at the floor and stairs were required to reach the office. Then the moment I walked in I wanted to head for the hills and make a run for it. It looked like a REALLY BAD bachelor's pad with dark blue poorly painted walls. Black leather chairs in the reception along with a flat screen tv playing some cheesy stoner movie. This was a bad sign and unfortunately I waited too long to actually find out. This reception area was a clear sign and reflection of the poor company. This was a lesson that this place isn't a fit nor offers quality. This place was in Emeryville and is a pyramid scheme. The red flags were obvious here.

2. Another place that I had went to for an interview was located in the heart of the Financial District. When I walked into this nice high rise, I recall it for having a very nice roof top seating area. I thought BONUS! But as I walked into the suite, there was no one to greet me but a mere ding ding bell on the receptionist desk. Once it was dinged, some disheveled person came out and I was waiting for nearly 20 minutes for the person who I was supposed to see me. I was sweating bullet on my parking meter as I only put in enough for 1 hour. Oh but no need to worry, his interview was brief. But oddly passed me off to his co-workers to drill me on an employer of mine as they are current investors. This has nothing to do with my interest in the position nor was relevant. And by the way, he forgot to mention on the phone that this was a NON PAID marketing internship at a Hedge Fund.

But back to the intention of this blog, they had no one to greet me which was a sign that they are too busy to care and possibly wouldn't welcome me with open arms for their FREE LABOR. Also the decorum was very nautical and masculine. I felt that I was in a yacht. I interpreted this as a sign that this was fast paced environment that demands a lot and maybe I'll go unappreciated.

3. Not to knock the lovely state of California, BUT I didn't like their bathrooms and sort of judged that the same way as I would judge a busy bar's bathroom. Dirty bathroom, dirty work environment. Not for me. I went to a beautifully kept private school, I don't want to face the unkeptness of public buildings.

4. Oh and when a company has offices in the same city but the hiring manager who flies in decides to meet you at a hotel is sketchy and weird not cool protocol. I feel that the hiring manager should offer to meet at the HQ offices not the hotel lobby.