Exceptional reputation - unexceptional firm
Gut am Arbeitgeber finde ich
Long-existing, renowned law firm in the very centre of the city. Nothing negative to say about that. Income is good. Mainly depends on your personal preferences, but they undoubtedly do offer some very exciting cases and clients.
Schlecht am Arbeitgeber finde ich
Superiors at this firm truly excel in one particular skill: convincing you that your so-called "ineptitude" transcends the very boundaries of human imagination. However, they seem to overlook a rather elementary concept: as an apprentice, you are, unsurprisingly, not yet a seasoned expert. Mistakes are not only inevitable but essential – they are the foundation of learning. And – first and foremost - let’s not forget the fundamental premise of an apprenticeship: it exists precisely because perfection is not de facto expected from day one. Mistakes ain’t no felonies or misdemeanors - they are stepping stones.
A competent employer should acknowledge this and provide constructive feedback with professionalism and a modicum of decorum. Instead, at this firm, any misstep – no matter how minor or predictable for someone at the inceptive stage of their career – is treated as if you had just orchestrated a legal Armageddon. Their modus operandi is less "nurture and guide" and more "berate and belittle."
Here, you’re expected to function as a fully-fledged top-tier litigator straight ab initio. Should you eventually fail to meet this Herculean standard (as, shockingly, most mere mortals tend to do), you are swiftly demoted in their estimation to someone who struggles to tie their own shoelaces or who has quite a hard time counting to ten – irrespective of your prior academic or professional achievements.
Superiors do not take their time to listen to your questions. In most cases, you are a limine being chased away with a condescending and discourteous “I don’t have time for that now” (as if you would’ve time for that later lol) or “Try solving that yourself”. Healthy and regular communication is absolute KEY in a prospering work-environment.
Not only is there a conspicuous lack of teaching or mentorship, but you may also witness the occasional colossal blunder committed by those very individuals demanding your perfection. Ironically, their mistakes seem to dissolve into thin air, while yours are magnified to operatic proportions, inevitably culminating in a critique of your supposed lack of "meticulousness."
Unsurprisingly, the resultant atmosphere is less collegial and more akin to walking a tightrope over a pit of hungry lions. Anxiety about disappointing a partner lingers perpetually in the air, making each day at work feel like an extended audition for survival. Enjoyment? Hardly. If you're looking for an employer who fosters growth, imparts wisdom, and treats apprentices with the dignity they deserve, I’d advise taking your talents elsewhere.
Side story: On one occasion, a superior inquired about the grade I had received in a particular subject during my long-gone law school days. This question, miles away from being driven by genuine curiosity, was clearly intended to slander me, to cast a shadow on my abilities based on a single, alleged bad performance of mine... As if one particular grade I received numerous years ago would allow any reliable conclusions to my overall competence… A notion as unfounded as it is reductive.
Verbesserungsvorschläge
Management should participate in leadership programs. And they should take a closer look at the camaraderie of their associates. This might finally put a dent in that revolving door of employee turnover.
Kollegenzusammenhalt
You might get called "selfish" if you dare to leave before 8 p.m. It was and is still beyond my grasp why there is a competition as to who stays longer in the office. This doesn't show how much of a diligent worker you are (even though you are essentially just sitting around doing concisely nothing).