Apple

Apple has a great atmosphere, some really talented people, and a great culture.

They also produce really cool products, and it feels great to be part of the process.

There is a great collective feeling of everyone striving for the same goal and very little internal competition.

Other companies may offer bigger salaries, but it's hard to beat Apple on benefits. If you get into the RSU vesting schedule for a few years, you are certain to think twice before leaving and watching your unvested stocks go up in smoke.

Work/life balance can vary, but it is very much up to the employee. However, when I had a death in the family, there was 100% support from my management. I never had to worry about deliverables or taking too much time off.

It really felt like they were more concerned about me than my job. Experiences like that make for loyal employees.

With intense growth, there will be hiring and promotional decisions where compromises are made because there simply aren't enough people available.

In the balance of quality (which stops shipping) and shipping (which can compromise quality), the company in recent years has slipped more to the shipping side, while under SJ it was securely on the quality side. Something to watch out for.

It's not enough to teach about what makes Apple Apple; you have to live it too.