A big disappointment - Senior Software Engineer Perk Employee Review

1.0
Oct 30, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The facilities and office spaces are good, and the cafeteria staff are very friendly.

Cons

The environment is highly competitive. TravelPerk’s culture is based on appearances, creating a “7-star” image that doesn’t reflect reality. Software engineers are often evaluated more on what they document and communicate rather than on their technical execution, which affects the company’s product quality. I've seen highly talented colleagues put on PIPs or even dismissed for “underperformance,” based on totally subjective and biased opinions. The engineering career path is fundamentally flawed, where "communication" is rewarded over execution. As a result, we see impressive projections but poor execution. Due to the competitive atmosphere, it’s common to encounter colleagues who withhold information, work in silos, or even “betray” others. This is further emphasized in the famous “End of the Week” meetings, where a false sense of excellence is projected, with individuals showcasing an image of success that doesn’t bring any real benefit—financial or otherwise—to the company, as this success is merely a bluff. As with other aspects, at TravelPerk, diversity is merely superficial. There isn’t a truly multicultural environment, nor an inclusive age range—rather, it’s distinctly Anglo-Saxon and skewed towards younger individuals, with those who 'stand out' fitting a specific personality type. If your English skills are not fluent, you may be treated as a second-class citizen, missing promotion opportunities, or even being evaluated as low-performing and dismissed.

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Perk Response
1y
Thank you for sharing your feedback. At TravelPerk, we’re rooted in a dedication to first-principle thinking, valuing mindset and potential, and nurturing an environment of genuine connection and support. It’s concerning to hear that aspects of your experience didn’t align with these values. Our performance philosophy gives equal weight to what is delivered, and how it is delivered. Therefore, a balance of good communication and technical execution is essential for delivering a high-quality product. We recognize that feedback on communication can sometimes feel subjective, and we are committed to ensuring that our processes remain transparent and balanced to acknowledge different strengths. We are a team of individuals united by our mission to fix business travel, and we are deeply committed to ensuring that our people feel included and supported. As of today, we proudly have over 50 different nationalities represented within our team, with English as our main business language. Fluency in English is essential to effectively serve our global customers and facilitate internal communication and collaboration. To support this, we also offer IRL English lessons for our Barcelona-based employees. At TravelPerk, we aim to create a workplace where everyone belongs, not just fits in, and can do their best work. This commitment is central to our Belonging philosophy, which focuses on fostering a work environment where everyone feels they truly belong. Your insights help us continue improving to ensure that TravelPerk remains a place where people can thrive, feel connected, and make a meaningful impact. Thank you again for your contributions, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Explore other reviews about Perk

5.0
May 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great work-life balance clear path for promo and multiple career path options really good people Fun events always happening, the company cares about it's employees and wants everyone to collab and work as a team

Cons

with many tech companies there are constant changes and needing to adapt to those changes. The company is relatively young so there are growing pains that come with that

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Perk Response
3w
Thank you for sharing your experience working with us in our Chicago hub. It is great to hear that you are enjoying our culture, the people, and the career development opportunities on offer. Growth brings a lot of change and opportunity, and we are focused on supporting our teams as we scale. Your point about communication is well taken. Keeping our people informed and aligned, particularly during periods of change, is something we are continuously working to improve. Thank you for being part of the team.
5.0
May 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-Clear career growth path at Perk! The company is very transparent about the steps to become either an AE, AM, or IS after being an SDR. Perk is fast-growing and the opportunities are endless. They’re always adding new roles you can become after being in an entry-level role. -Product: One of the best products in the industry. Customers love talking about their business travel process, and it’s an easy product to be passionate about. My personal experience with our product is seamless and exactly how we market it. -Work-Life Balance: Extremely attainable. I have not once felt like I have to overwork myself or continue my work at home, which is a night and day difference from my previous job! -Hybrid-Work: 3 days in-real-life, and 2 days remote. Also 20 work-from-anywhere days as they encourage us to travel. Compensation: Extremely good. Base salary is at industry standard. Commission is uncapped and targets are very attainable to receive a 100%+ commission check. -Culture is unmatched! Extremely friendly sales team always looking to help and coach others in sales. Perk is very straightforward in how they envision their culture/environment. -Yearly company trip to Barcelona, Spain! And chances to travel and work out of other offices.

Cons

None that I can think of!

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Perk Response
1mo
It is fantastic to see that you have enjoyed your experience working with us in Chicago! We are thrilled to hear that you are finding the SDR role so rewarding and that our career paths, product, and work-life balance are resonating with you. We are particularly pleased that you are embracing our in-real-life philosophy and hybrid model of working by taking advantage of the "work-from-anywhere" days. Our goal is to foster a culture where collaboration in the office and flexibility go hand-in-hand. It’s also great to know that the supportive coaching from your teammates is helping you reach your goals. Thank you for being such a passionate advocate for Perk. We look forward to seeing you grow with us for a long time to come!
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