Company: Deloitte
Date: 2013-09-30
Overall rating: 2/5
Employment status: former
Experience level: Junior

Great for the experience, but not for the long haul
Pros: Very professional. It is a firm that prides itself on being one of the Big 4, and how they operate is indeed a notch above. If you want to work with professionals, learn how to be a consulting professional, or just work with some great minds in the business, this is a great place to do so.  For young professionals who want the fast-paced, high-life of consulting, Deloitte is the place.  It looks good on a resume too.
Cons: Their top-tier approach to business and their pricing structure hurts them in markets where premium prices are not affordable.  In my experience they could not compete in the local market and it has eroded their footprint considerably.  They maintain a very high expectation of loyalty and service to the company.  There is no such thing as a work-life balance.  Work comes first.  Service and duty to the firm becomes your life.  This was a major drawback to someone with a young family and a need to stay local.  Travel is expected.  You go where the work is.  "Extracurricular" activities to build the firm's image and preeminence is a must.  To not be involved is to get yourself quickly marked as not a team player during the yearly concensus/review period.

To pour 110% into the company is to be average among your peers.  To really stand out in the firm means you give 150% and more.

Senior management is removed from the responsibility of fostering deep relationships with their teams.  They become increasingly removed as they are engulfed in the bureaucracy of the top leadership.  It leaves people feeling unappreciated or unsupported when tough times come.