Why Does Gunderson Direct Keep Winning the “Great Places to Work” Award?

Feeling valued and being allowed to grow has changed my outlook on work.

For four years running, Gunderson Direct has been recognized as a Great Place to Work, and it’s easy to see why. It’s not just the people but the inclusive environment that fosters connection and growth. As an office admin who helps execute our nominations for awards like that one, I’ve had a front-row seat to the variety of reasons our team rates this organization so highly and the chance to identify my own.

Two years ago, I was stuck in a rut. I was overworked and needed more support from management and my peers. I knew it was time for a change, so I began asking myself what I needed professionally to feel valued and appreciated as an employee.

I sat down and made a list. It wasn’t just about money; I needed a role I could take pride in, where my hard work would be noticed. Having the support and mentorship of the people around me was also important. Most of all, I needed to find an organization that understood the value of investing in its employees and would allow me to grow professionally.

With all this in mind, I began my search. It was casual because I knew what I wanted might be challenging to find in today’s job market. The first few companies I interviewed with were uninspiring and sterile. Many people interviewing me seemed to be reading from a script, and it wasn’t easy to get a feel for the company’s culture.

I was introduced to the head of Human Resources at Gunderson Direct, Jaki Rangel, through a mutual friend with shared values. In my first interview with the agency, I was blown away by the interaction. Her questions weren’t just about qualifications or job responsibilities — she had seen my resume. Instead, she asked me about myself, my interests, and my life goals. She wanted to understand who I was and how I would fit in with a group of passionate and talented people. As the conversation progressed, she explained the wealth of perks GD had to offer: their company-wide bonuses, regular team-building trips, comprehensive medical benefits, weekly lunches, and more. Clearly, this place was different. After a couple of interviews, I was offered a position.

I walked through my schedule on my first day and was given time to acclimate. The second day was the weekly status meeting, and we did a round-robin where I was introduced to the team.

I was welcomed with open arms and instantly knew I had made the right choice to join Gunderson Direct.

I realized why it was so vital for me to mesh with the team. The leadership at GD has worked hard to find a group of people that work well together and live true to the core values that make Gunderson Direct such a great place to work.

Since celebrating my first anniversary with the company, I have been given opportunities to grow and be recognized for my accomplishments, big and small. I am confident in the work I do. Being recognized for my hard work helps motivate me to continue to excel. That feels truly amazing – I finally feel like I have a clear path in my career. This place will help foster my professional independence while balancing my personal life.

I feel fortunate to have learned that it’s not just what you do; it’s also who you do it with. My advice to anyone not feeling valued or given a chance to excel is to find a company that recognizes your strengths and encourages you to be your best.

Gunderson Direct has long-lasting relationships with some of the country’s largest corporations, helping them to lower their customer acquisition costs and increase profits using address-based integrated direct marketing programs.

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