Dow Jones & Co. Employee Reviews for Solutions Architect

"A difficult scenario in a great company"

What do you like about working at Dow Jones & Co.?

"I enjoyed working at a company with the great name recognition and industry respect of Dow Jones."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Be certain that DJ's, as well as you, understands what is to be accomplished by your hiring. The flux of frequent departmental rearrangements and business goal changes can be difficult to manage."

What don't you like about working at Dow Jones & Co.?

"I was left to founder once hired as a Sr. Pre-sales Consultant. My manager was reassigned, I was given no direction or goals whatsoever. My first 90 days had no manager at all. Not one to sit still, I began independent efforts to better project goals, and received good feedback from project team members. But, following a acquisition by DJ's, I found myself in a new division, with a new manager, and had my compensation package severely modified. I no longer had a solid line report to the VP managing the project, and because of lack of any direction, I didn't meet that VP's expectations. It lead to a difficult situation where I didn't know what was wanted of me, and I was not seen as valuable to the project. It got contentious as I tried to defend what the project team said was very good work, while I could not please the VP. I was let go without explanation, reason or opportunity to excel. The IT and sales teams were both surprised and expressed dismay. I was genuinely broken hearted."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Never leave a new hire unattended to the point where there is no ability to be inserted into the corporate or project culture. Without assigned goals, no success can be measured. I was hired to be a self-starter in a difficult project. Don't close your eyes to the honest efforts of a very successful person with decades of experience. Instead, foster and channel that experience to the company's benefit.Never dismiss a senior talent by surprise without explanation or discussion."