Micromanagement is normalized: If you end up with a micromanaging manager, expect daily syncs, feedback at 10 AM, and pressure to deliver polished decks by 3 PM, despite a calendar full of meetings and no real focus time.
Work-life balance is a joke: Late-night meetings with U.S. teams are common. Days often begin at 9 AM and run past 10 PM. Feedback comes late, and you're expected to revise and present under pressure. Saying “no” is silently penalized - You can't have a life other than ServiceNow.
Broken credit culture: Core contributors are overlooked, while those who polish slides or align with managers receive praise. Career growth depends more on being liked than being good. Many strong designers remain stuck due to biased management.
Stunted growth paths: Staff roles are often assigned based on favoritism - not skill. Promotions are unclear and political. You’ll be told you’re “not ready,” then see others promoted for far less. You need to be liked.
Lack of psychological safety: Weekly WIP reviews feel like high-stakes presentations. Managers often question your ideas just before a review, then take credit when things go well. Creativity is replaced with anxiety.
Design has no strategic role: Execution trumps innovation. Projects revolve around impressing leadership's, not user needs. Too many cooks!!
Success will be shared, failure will be just owned by you.
Managers act as gatekeepers, creating a hierarchy that makes honest feedback and upward communication difficult. I have seen retaliation in reality here.
Fake focus time: “Focus Fridays” are packed with meetings, check-ins, and reporting. No real time is given for deep work or learning.
Overemphasis on presentation: An excessive amount of time is spent preparing decks. Even how you speak is micromanaged. People will tell you what to say and how to say it. The pressure to present overshadows the actual design work. Not a place for creative work or innovation from design perspective.
