Ideal (and fictional) places to work

The Hiring Site’s Matt Wilson wrote about workplaces that are almost perfect except for one tiny little problem: They’re fictional.

Here’s Matt’s take on some perfect TV workplaces that we’d like to land a job interview at.

Does a great place to work seem more like a fictional concept rather than a reality? There are several companies we’ve seen on TV and in movies that we wish existed so we could submit resumes to them–the kinds of places where work is fun and exciting, rising through the ranks is easy, efforts are rewarding both in significance and compensation, and no one ever seems to get in before nine or work past five. Consider a few examples from these fictional corporations, making them ideal employers:

Bluth Company from Arrested Development

Expense accounts out the wazoo to cover a variety of costs are available with this family-owned business, as well as creative methods for compensating employees. Consistent leadership and corporate vision may be a question mark at times, and the real estate industry is currently in a state of decline, but you get to work with really interesting people, and boring days are livened up with certain dance routines. It also shows industry diversification, thanks to ownership interest in a popular frozen banana stand.

Dunder-Mifflin from The Office

This fun place to work has a uniquely-competitive sales staff, interesting co-workers, and great opportunity for advancement where even temporary employees can quickly ascend the ranks to director positions. Inconsistent profits, re-orgs and constant shuffling of senior-level managers make long-term success a question mark, but it does offer “limitless paper in a paperless world.”

Hanso Foundation from Lost

With this organization, you get to visit exotic places, make a difference in the lives of millions, conduct cool experiments, have access to special company-branded food products, and be part of a commitment to help usher in world peace. There’s also a good health plan and a great corporate culture focused on community. Only drawback is that it may be involved in some kind of uber-global conspiracy bent on ruling the world. But the rest of the perks far outweigh that one small facet.

Kramerica Industries from Seinfeld

Very flexible hours and working conditions make this a great opportunity for Gen X and Yers. This global company is involved in multiple industries—including publishing of a coffee table book about coffee tables and the development of a wide variety of consumer products such as the Man Bag, Manssiere and Muffin Tops. It also features a great internship program, and the corporate motto “Giddyup!” is sure to motivate the laziest of employees. There is a track record of inconsistent funding sources though, and the corporate HQ is a pretty cramped space.

Wayne Enterprises from Batman

This multi-billion dollar conglomerate undoubtedly offers great retirement plans and other benefits. It also has an awesome commitment to research & development, a charismatic face of the company, and a sweet corporate mode of transportation. Wayne Enterprises is also very focused on diversity and being “green.” One small issue it does have however, is a recurring problem of business associates and former employees turning to lives of crime.

What fictional workplace would you like to work at, and why?