Pros
Zillow hires the absolute brightest people on the planet. You will be surrounded by these people day and in and day out, challenging you, helping you grow and making you a better professional and person. I'm incredibly happy to have had the opportunity to work among such an exceptional group of people.
Due to the highly selective nature of who they hire, the culture is by far one of the best in the world. It's not because of all the "fluff" (free food, free travel, insane holiday parties, incredible events, and the unlimited supply of office supplies to ensure you have what you need). No, it's truly the feel when walking through the doors of a Zillow office, regardless of location. You feel the energy, the drive, the endless pursuit to accomplish the Zillow mission.
Due to the selective nature of those hired that creates a phenomenal culture, you are then surrounded by limitless opportunities. The best example is a colleague of mine being brought on as a "trainer," so to speak. Though, she was a graphics designer, marketing guru with an untapped imagination full of ideas. Fast forward 2 years later and our mission that was in all of our minds, was graphically created and brought to life physically, by this person. She is now a leader within her department creating marketing ideas, material...etc. You will not find a lack of opportunities because of the limitless amount of ideas that create those opportunities for you to pursue.
Lastly, leadership. Everyone knows the saying: You leave because of your manager. Zillow isn't perfect, but in my 4 years of experience, every leader I had was exceptional. They were exceptional because their common trait was, "Servant Leadership." Zillow's cultural identity in leadership is defined by the thought and action that your leaders serve you. Not the typical environment you see with boss man yelling commands and you follow. Your manager will look to help lift you to the next level and get you to the place you desire in your career at Zillow.
My life has been forever changed by Zillow professionally and personally. If you desire to be part of a revolutionary company that manages to have a start up feel with a Google-like culture, do everything you can to join this phenomenal company.
Cons
The only con that I personally encountered was the difficulty to fall into a solidified team who is seeking a new leader. The opportunities were there, but the idea of bringing an outsider into a solidified team who needed new ideas and change, was scary. Past experience aside, It'd be great to constantly push to innovate, build and bring new blood in to an already established team. This will ensure innovation always occurs or difficult times may lie ahead.
