My take on Glassdoor reviews
When we need help to find a good restaurant or pick out a new book or a smartphone, what do we do? Turn to customer reviews, of course! But when it comes to making employment decisions, is it a good idea to make decisions based on company reviews? Should sites like Glassdoor fit into or become an integral part of our job hunt? I don't think so.
Before diving into the details, here is a caveat: I am not saying that Glassdoor reviews are not useful at all. But, while making a career decision, one should not rely heavily on the reviews posted anonymously. Let me tell you why - Any disgruntled employee can hide behind a screen and easily target and tarnish a company's reputation by venting all the anger and frustration and by writing all the negative things possible.
On the other hand, if companies encourage or force employees to leave only positive reviews, it is almost impossible to get the accurate inside information that can guide your decision. And, if someone has a personal vendetta against a manager or another employee, the avenue they can easily take advantage of to pour out their anger and vengeance is Glassdoor. If you notice carefully, when it comes to the credibility of the reviewers and the accuracy of the claims and statements made by each reviewer, Glassdoor doesn't take any responsibility.
Then why is Glassdoor so important? While researching for the next potential employer, Glassdoor is the go-to platform and primary source for you, me, and many other people out there. With less potent competitors like AmbitionBox and Indeed, they don't face any significant market competition. But most of the reviews on Glassdoor are about extreme feelings - either good or bad. The claims often look too impulsive and exaggerated. Generally, the larger the data, the more accurate the information. But for me, this rule doesn't apply to Glassdoor reviews.
Either you can find a flood of positive reviews or an avalanche of negative reviews where reviewers rant and vent their frustration and spew negative opinions in front of a group of vulnerable audience who often get swayed and misled easily.
If the reviews sound too good to be true or if the number is disproportionately positive, I don't trust them at all. And, if multiple posts include the same points written in noticeably similar ways, that's an obvious red flag. For me, both are equally undependable. No matter which website I go through, I always trust those reviews with an even-handed approach. Unfortunately, these days, you cannot say both Glassdoor and neutral reviews in the same breath.
Here is another reason why I don't rely much on Glassdoor reviews - As far as I know, Glassdoor doesn't have any transparent methods to identify the reviews that left by choice and remove the fake ones or those with vested interests. It means anyone can post reviews on Glassdoor, about any company, at any point in time, with hardly any credible verification. And, there is nothing that stops a reviewer from posting multiple reviews from different ids. Does that mean one shouldn't trust Glassdoor reviews? I won't say that. Instead, I leave that decision to your own best judgment.
You cannot verify the identity of the reviewers on Glassdoor. But you can stop yourself from rejecting a job opportunity or a company solely based on negative reviews. Instead of letting other's opinions cloud your judgment, it's always good to explore for yourself and then arrive at a decision. In other words, make decisions based on facts and not assumptions. A prior connection or a former colleague who works for the organization you are about to start working for can give their perspective. However, you must always do your due diligence and make the best guess before making your career decisions.
Do you know why such websites thrive and succeed? They always take advantage of your quest to find the workplace of your dreams. Firstly, you have to let go of the idea of a dream workplace. There is no such thing. Take the time and effort to make wise choices, and never assume you can find the best workplace ever by just relying on Glassdoor reviews.