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Penguin Random House

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Editorial Assistant - Editorial Assistant Penguin Random House Employee Review

4.0
10 Aug 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good work-life balance and benefits. The option to have summer hours is amazing, as is their generous vacation policy. Great access to loads of free books. The company culture depends on whether you work at Penguin or Random House. Penguin is a bit more casual, while Random House is definitely more corporate. Both are fun environments to work in, and everyone (literally) is always willing to lend a hand to get a book out on time or answer questions you have. We're all trying to help each other make the best books possible, and it shows.

Cons

Salaries could be a little higher, but hey, it's publishing. Promotions don't happen all that often, at least in editorial.

Explore other reviews about Penguin Random House

5.0
20 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

• Caring people. Psychological safety is emphasized by people at every level. I feel like leadership at each step of the reporting chain is very approachable and transparent. • Great work/life balance. • There is a lot of openness to trying new technologies or doing different things for such a large and established organization. There is very little "trend chasing," it's more like you're listened to. As the CEO started out as a technologist, he has a realistic view of what new tools (including, but not just, AI) can do for us. • Informal, especially for a company created by the merger of two nearly-100 year old publishing firms and was recently acquired by a nearly-200 year old company. • Company supports learning and development. • Free books! • I care greatly about the company's mission and it's clear how my work impacts the company's ability to execute on it. • Things often move slowly, which is both a pro and a con.

Cons

• Pay and insurance are very average, but I can live with that. This is a much bigger con for employees whose jobs require them to be on-site, especially in e.g. London and New York. • Said learning and development seem to have a ...deliberate pace. While this is fine and what I wanted, other tech people coming in from more "tech-y" organizations mightn't gel with it. • Things often move slowly, which is both a pro and a con.

5.0
20 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great writing, Top tier production

Cons

The male director never asked me once how I was doing or offer any advice to calm my nerves (on my first production ever with them) which lead to a burdensome recording process.

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