Refinery29 reviews

3.1

40% would recommend to a friend

(191 total reviews)

Philippe von Borries

35% approve of CEO

18% positive business outlook

Refinery29 has an employee rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars, based on 191 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Refinery29 employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Mídia e comunicação industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

191 reviews
5.0
Nov 17, 2017

Come For The Opportunity, Stay For The People

Anonymous employee
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

This is a mission-driven, global media brand that elevates the stories and POV of women. Let that sink in for a second. Name another publisher in the market doing the same thing at the same scale. In some ways, I believe this is really all you need to know about working at Refinery29. The rest is just gravy. The writers and editors within these walls are so passionate, creative, and inspiring — and the team is dedicated to improving the quality of our work every day. If you have a great idea and the motivation and drive to run with it, you can make it happen. I've watched people go from entry-level roles to their dream job with the support of some great mentors and managers.

Cons

The limited resources, but that is not unique to Refinery29, that's media. I would also argue that the people who have complained about work/life balance do not understand what a high-growth digital environment is really like. You work at a place like this because you want to permanently alter the trajectory of your career. That might mean pulling longer hours, or taking on tasks outside of your JD, but I see that as an opportunity. You learn, grow, and evolve here at an exponential pace. Make no mistake: It's exhausting, but it makes you a better, and infinitely more hirable, editor.

1.0
Nov 7, 2017

They don't follow what they preach

Anonymous employee
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Teammates end up being good friends and everyone is hardworking and kind to eachother under the circumstance.

Cons

A company where it's very difficult to grow. Often, people who look 'cool' and 'trendy' get the spotlights while others do not. Teams are very disconnected with eachother often not knowing what the other does. You will have 0 work/life balance and poor compensation. 2 of the higher ups are very disconnected with their teams often choosing their own gain over working with their own teams. You will feel like you work does not mater, a lot of promises and 0 change, the dont apply what they preach on the site within the office.

1.0
Oct 5, 2017

Would not recommend coming to Refinery29

Anonymous employee
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Hours are decent and people work hard for a mission.

Cons

Echoing another review that they prefer anyone who's a "cool," pretty "influencer" over people who are actually smart and good at their jobs. The executives are visually based, including who they hire and promote. Smart people are disregarded for people with designer connections and they do not seem to have a long term strategy. The mission does not get reinforced at the employee level and everyone is competitive. There are also no career trajectories.

Viewing 97 - 99 of 191 Reviews

Glassdoor has 283 Refinery29 reviews submitted anonymously by Refinery29 employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Refinery29 is right for you.