Pros
Global brand name - looks impressive on the resume. Certain degree of corporate agility - good at coping in downturns. Not overly hierachical - regional directors and senior managers are quite approachable.
Cons
First impression: the office is a mess with archive boxes lining the halls, dusty yellow newspapers lying around, untidy and cluttered desks everywhere and dirty kitchens. The work 'systems' reflect the same sort of chaos. Information is scattered everywhere. Basic work functions are ill-defined. Performance is not measured regularly or accurately. This vacuum is filled instead by politics and back-biting. There is a minimalist work ethic in the support staff. What appears to be an easy-going work environment on the surface turns out to be a political minefield if you are not careful. Perceived errors are not discussed openly with the view of finding a solution, but behind your back with the aim of finding some way to punish you (and therefore score points for themselves). People will email you rather than walk two metres to discuss something. HR support is almost non-existent and typically aims to protect managerial incompetence. Team-building is unknown in many departments. Although there are a number of nice people, the best way to describe the dominant culture in some departments is "toxic". Numerous senior directors are renowned for their short-fuses and unpleasant demeanours. It is uncommon to find someone who regularly answers your calls or returns your messages. You leave this company with the same skills you brought in - training and support are virtually non-existent. CBRE does not feel like a global well-oiled corporate machine in any way. It is a cowboy operation under a global guise.
