Working at Schawk! in Chicago, IL: 5 Employee Job Reviews by Real Employee working in Chicago, IL Area

"I have never seen a more mismanaged company. Amway and Sears for clients. Sears is going bankrupt and Amway has dubious politics and business practices. The managing director is an ignorant dictator who thinks he's God's gift to copywriting. He has no clue how to expand business opportunities. He tells art directors how to design all the time and couldn't be more wrong."

"I felt the company played favorites and didn't give job opportunities to people who had a proven portfolio and real world experience. It's the type of place where you could start as a mailroom worker and end up as an Art Director a few years later. I worked there for 15 months and during my time they had 5 rounds of layoffs. People are generally unhappy and are constantly complaining. It made for a very negative work environment."

"Experince looks great on resume - Get it and get out!"

What do you like about working at Schawk!?

"Not much really. I guess the office/photo studio is nice, but is in a really bad neighborhood."

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

"It is unlikely that you will interview with the company. About 99% of all full-time employees (at least those in the the creative roles) worked as temps first. Only very rarely will they actually interview outside to fill a role."

What don't you like about working at Schawk!?

"Management lacks all ability to plan. No concept of work/life balance. Lousy pay. No growth opportunities. Management not open to ideas from workers. management expects you to come in to work any time they ask regardless of time of day or night or weekend, usually to cover their tails because they did not plan properly. I have had vacations canceled at the last minute, missed my train home, and all sorts of nastiness. On top of the already low pay they cut evreyone's salaries by 5%, even though they remained profitable in this down time."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Learn to plan or hire people who can. Get real with the pay, you are about 20% below the going market rate for experienced people. learn to see your employees as your greatest asset and treat them as such. Get a real understanding of work/life balance."