What Makes a Company Culture Irresistible?
When Christina Lee was looking for a chance to get back into the tech industry, she came across open roles from her former employer, Edmunds. So she decided to click “Apply.”
“I jumped at the opportunity primarily because I loved the people I worked with,” Lee said.
Edmunds holds a special place in Lee’s career journey, considering it’s where she first dove into the world of analytics and learned countless professional and technical skills. When she returned as an analytics manager, she was overjoyed to see some previous coworkers, and that feeling of familiarity she once knew came flooding back.
For Lee, leaving Edmunds helped her realize how much she cherishes the company. Corporate Attorney Katie F. can relate.
After spending about a year in a remote position, Katie F. realized that her values aligned more closely with the mission of her previous employer, Tebra. She also greatly missed the in-person connection she had made there, so she decided to reapply, bringing back the fulfillment — and camaraderie — that once defined her professional life.
“It felt like a homecoming,” Katie F. said.
Below, Lee and Katie F. share the reasons why they made the decision to return to their former employers.
Edmunds helps consumers find and sell vehicles by providing reviews, deal ratings, online appraisals and budget financing.
When did you originally join Edmunds, and what was your role?
I joined Edmunds for the first time back in 2013 as an analyst. I was new to analytics and learned SQL, Tableau and web metrics on the job. Everyone was super friendly, and I learned so much. But after about a year and a half, I got an interesting opportunity to do analysis for an education nonprofit and decided to go for it.
What motivated you to reapply to Edmunds?
Ultimately, I ended up missing the pace and scale of web analytics and made my way back to tech. In 2017, I was looking for a new job, and Edmunds was hiring. A lot of my teammates were still there, I really respected and enjoyed working with the hiring manager. The internal business/product owners are some of the best I've ever worked with. The people here make work not feel like work.
The people here make work not feel like work.”
When did you realize you had made the right choice to return?
It was during my first presentation at an executive team meeting. I was really nervous, and the presentation didn't go as planned. It turned into a conversation among senior leadership about the business assumptions underlying my analysis. Afterward, my manager told me that Edmund’s president reached out to her because he wanted to make sure I knew that I did a good job and that he appreciated my work even though the conversation shifted directions. I was so touched that he went out of his way to say that, and I think it really highlights how kindness permeates our culture, even from the very top.
Tebra’s software is designed to help medical practices grow and provide a seamless patient experience through online scheduling, appointment reminders and more.
When did you originally join Tebra, and what was your role?
I originally joined the team in 2018 as a law clerk and was promoted to corporate counsel after graduating law school and passing the bar.
What motivated you to reapply to Tebra?
After about a year in a remote position at a company headquartered across the country, I realized that my values aligned more closely with my previous employer’s mission, and I didn’t feel as fulfilled in my new position. I also missed the in-person connections I had made in my previous role.
