Just wanted to let everybody know that I left in June, and I (along with many fellow former Cisco folks) am quite happy.
There are better jobs out there. The economy is strong...
There’s never been a better time to leave.
9 replies (most recent on top)
@11E2NzKR-2tik : they are not still going on about this self-indulgent piece of marketing with DW & RB claiming to be ‘making a difference’ in terms of rhino poaching protection? As soon as the marketing collateral was created, they moved on. CTAO does have a senior director of ‘sustainable development’ (rescued from SPVSS) for some reason so maybe it’s a new responsibility for DW’s group.
So, basically 1.5 months per year? Nice deal. Enjoy.
I'm very happy after left Cisco last June.
In Europe the LR package depends per country. I was at Cisco Italy for 19 years and LR'ed 3 years ago, and my last function was Sales Director (grade 13). They way the LR package was calculated:
- Average monthly OTE salary of the last 3 years (I had great last 2 years:-)
- Multiply with years in service (18)
- Multiply with 1.5 (>50 years, and their business case to LR me was not right/correct).
- 4 months Garden leave
Result was a LR package of 410,000 Euro which is about $460,000 (Gross). Needles to say I immediately signed all papers they wanted me to sign. Started at a competitor almost immediately after my 4 months garden leave, and paid my mortgage off 100%.
Thank you Cisco to make my live much more easier :-)
Now that I’m out, the saddest thing is when I proactively reach out to Folks who are still at Cisco that would be a great fit at my new employer, but they are so complacent they say “thanks but no thanks.” Only For them to come begging to me months later, when Cisco has notified them that services are no longer needed.
And how many times are they going to tell that rhino story as part "being the bridge" or "building the bridge" or "bridge to nowhere" or whatever their tagline is? That was from 2015.
Now that I am out of Cisco, I see how irrelevant this company really is becoming. Used to think it looked good on my resume. What a surprise when I started interviewing. So very glad I got out when I did after 12+ years. Should have left sooner.
Left for second time after 20 years for alot more pay, money I would never see at Csco , work a bit harder and people arent as impressive but better benefits and dont worry about being LR every month, if you are grade 10 and above, no chance of getting director level, the vip room, get out.
When I did get told I'd be laid off (confidentially, weeks before the official notices went out), I was ready but my reaction was a bit desperate. I thought I was ready for it, but never realized how much of my self identity would be on the line after 18 years at the mothership.
I did accept a job very quickly and readily. The base salary was higher, the total compensation significantly lower (but as a senior grade 12 total compensation at Cisco had decreased quite significantly after the RSU lockdown policy except for total pets, while it lasts for them).
But guess what - the new job gave me far more exposure and visibility. Within less than a year I was getting offers left and right.
- 5 years after my Cisco career's demise, I am (a) making an very ego-boosting and visible impact elsewhere (b) beating my golden years Cisco total compensation by over 25%. In startups. And a bigger payday may result, hopefully.
I am not trying to encourage you to leave. I have fond Cisco career memories. But that was a different Cisco. Struggles are inevitable, and as Cisco does its own, I'd better focus on my own growth.
if u care about skills dont stay at csco u are wasting time
@11E2NzKR is correct