Experiences at AOL

AOL is a fantastic place to work at, as it brings together a diverse set of people from different backgrounds that work together. The matrix organization and geographic spread of AOL enabled me to work with amazing number of people and teams I would not have otherwise. I hired over 12 people in one year in multiple locations, including offshore in Bangalore India, and multiple sites in the US, for example.

I am really proud of bulidng kickass infrastructure for Video streaming, ad-insertion, HiQ as well as DRM for ecommerce and new offerings for movie downloads competing with Amazon and iTunes and beating them to market....

It was a great job. I managed a team of 15-30 agents working for AOL's registration department.

1- Creativity that is encouraged and utilized- it's about reaching a changing audience and that requires innovation.
2- Hardworking people with laidback attitudes- it's about working hard and enjoying yourself while you do it.
3- Flexibility- it's about setting and achieving goals, not being micromanaged and punching a time clock....

We're in the Silicon Valley so we are casual!

1. free gym at MV
2. it used to be netscape at MV
3. Moz is pretty well priced.

I'm in agreement with Jason about talent at AOL. There are some really talented people at AOL, but the majority of them are over-shadowed by people that are rewarded for their sucking-up and not necessarily their talent. When I worked there, I worked my butt off and my VP never noticed the work I did. Instead the people that brown-nosed and kissed her butt were the ones that got ahead (and are the ones that are STILL there). Meanwhile I worked long days with much lower pay, was extremely loyal to the company and it still got me no where. It's not about real talent at AOL; but rather talent at kissing butt and "appearing" to be working. The most important thing I learned at AOL--it's not what you know or how hard you work, but who you suck-up to (and how well you do that)....

There are almost no opportunities for advancement at AOL. If you've been there for a long time, you most likely are getting crap pay (remember stock options were considered part of your compensation). Opportunities for advancement aren't given to the people that work hard, but instead to the people that suck-up. It's so competitive. It's cut-throat and management encourages that behavior by rewarding the employees that suck-up and step on people to get what they want. If you are looking for advancement, don't count on getting it at AOL. It just doesn't really happen. Sad; but true....

The recruiting process. It's all well and good that some people have gotten interviews.The recruiters absolutely suck at AOL and there is no accountability. If you can get in great, but don't expect the recruiters or HR to help you after you are there or after you are at another Time Warner Division. You might as well be on the moon. The recruiting process is just horrible! Unless you kiss major butt or know the hiring manager, it's really hard to move up or around within the company. If you are at another Time Warner division it's impossible to get the recruiters to acknowledge you at all. They give more importance to outside hires over any Time Warner internal hires....

I obtained my position of Technical Manager at AOL while already employed by AOL. The position was open, so I interviewed for it, since my goal was to get into management (plus it was a promotion).

great in campus gym
AOL Store
Summer Fridays
In campus drycleaner service
Marketing University (a great career growth program for marketers)