If you already have a job, keep it. ExxonMobil looks glamorous from the outside, but that shine is fake. I learned the hard way. I ignored every warning about the toxic culture and left a stable job just for the brand name — biggest mistake of my career.
From day one, the so‑called safety buddy didn’t even bother to do their job. Non even a proper welcome.
My first project manager opened our very first meeting by lecturing me about their ‘compete‑to‑win’ culture and how they rank and eliminate people every cycle.
This place isn’t about work, it’s about alliances, cliques, and survival. If you’re not part of a protected gang, you’re a target. Everyone watches everyone. The paranoia is all over this workplace. It’s a pressure cooker with a shiny logo slapped on top.
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@OP Last year of my grad school, while I was interviewing, two different people at two different companies told me they had worked at ExxonMobil before their current roles. Both said the same thing: they felt underappreciated and unhappy there. I was naïve and ignored it. Now I understand exactly what they meant.
I had similar experience of condescending treatment and gaslighting.
Under the shiny brand name is a toxic environment.
I would never, ever recommend XOM for more than a couple of years as an experienced hire.
@da what do you mean by DEI fiasco?
It’s really quite sad what this company has become. I have 28+ years of service with 2 more to go.
Each of the sites were able to operate with some type of autonomy. Well that was working too well so we all became connected at the hip with a one size fits all approach.
Now we have deal with the hunger games approach of forced rankings. Throw in a pinch of outsourcing everything overseas. Of course the whole DEI fiasco and you have the toxic stew which is now XOM.
The real leaders will leave and the experienced hands can’t wait to get out the door.
I graduated during COVID and started working elsewhere. At a conference, an ExxonMobil person encouraged me to apply, and I eventually got the job. The IPTL on my first project treated me like I didn’t belong. He always had that condescending, holier‑than‑thou look. Constantly reminding me that ‘campus hires are the real assets’ .He mocked the practices I learned at my previous company, asked me if I ‘knew anything about EM ranking process,’ Some people really wake up every morning and choose to ruin someone else’s day.
@OP yes fair description. You get an annual contract, not a career
And don't accept a job in Houston. Everything's being moved to Bangalore.
I think I failed the personality test because my answers said I was dependable, flexible, and willing to help others. lol. Seems like they are looking for those that like compete and throw each other under the bus.