Do any of you know somebody who was laid off in the last round? As in, know them well enough to know how they're doing now? If they managed to find a new job and how long did it take them to find it? It'd be nice to have some kind of a reference for what's about to happen.
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Was part of the LR in February. Found a job at a smaller company within 3 months (networking is the only way to go). Much better environment, enjoying work, learning a ton, ramping up skills quickly and becoming more marketable. Not dealing with BS politics, tonnes of pointless meetings, and death by PowerPoint.
There is (a better) life after Cisco.
3 of my friends were laid off
All still looking for jobs
I was hit in Feb. if you submit your resume to a company without a direct connection you are likely not going to hear back. Utilize your network. I had two offers external from partners (I had direct connections from my time at Cisco) and then ended up taking an internal role. They rushed interviews to accommodate the separation packages that had to be signed by the 15th of April as it was all internal candidates mostly impacted by the LR that were interviewing. If it happens again I will be picking up the phone and calling direct to get an in at other companies.
Was LR'd in March in UK, am the wrong side of 50 but was back in work in less than 1 month of hunting after taking a 2 month break. I'm so glad LR happened - you get to live according to your compass and not some manager's clock. And so glad that I developed Cisco adjacent skills!
I was hit in the Feb 24 round and had multiple interviews fairly quick and landed a job at the end of my 2 months. Signed the package, started a new job a week later. I will say this, most cisco competitors are getting tired of Cisco resumes, they get thousands of them. 10 years ago, Cisco on your resume was a great thing, now, you have have something else that makes you stand out as there will be 20 people apply for every job that has cisco on their resume.
I am good friends with one of the former DC regional sales PSS in Asiapac, he was probably the most aggressive and well rated guys over there. He was actually one of the few who directly went after Arista and beat them head to head. He moved countries for the job and three months later he got LR. His boss went first who was US based. He was offered standard LR, he actually took legal advice and got a proper payout. He said he was surprised people just accepted the standard terms but then he is a seasoned operator and his style is aggressive. Given his situation he said got a large payout in the end and was very happy with it but took him two months of back and forth. Some of that he said was due to moving countries but good on him, he didn’t just take the basic package. He said for the first two months it was mentally hard not having to spent all hours of the day fixing others basic sales mistakes and chasing numbers but he’s been getting fit and building an online business while trading on the side. He said he’s never been happier and wished he had taken time out years ago. He’s got offers at Arista and others and will end up somewhere but he thinks he will start early next year. He did say you have to show why you stayed at Cisco as it’s regarded as limiting for the jobs hes been going for, he also has Visa issues. What was interesting for me is talking to him two weeks ago he is really relaxed and mellowed and is enjoying himself. His wife is working so he is lucky in that sense, he said, there is a good life out there outside Cisco. I could well be joining him but after our chat, I was left very upbeat. Good luck y’all
I was laid off 8 years ago, and it took me 6 months to find another job. I am so much happier, continuing to work in my current job, both work wise and money-wise. I am using my skills and creativity to the fullest, which was not the case at Cisco; and it is fully appreciated. There is absolutely no way I would ever want to return to Cisco. On hindsight, I should have left earlier.
I was LR'd over six years ago and had a job at a partner literally two days after my boss let me know I was being LR'd. After I turned in my PC, things got really interesting as a big part of my job was supporting Cisco IT; but Cisco IT did not really tell my management how much of a dependency they had on me. So I worked out a deal with a Cisco contracting company, to come back as a red badge; and Cisco IT would engage my contracting company if there was an escalation or bug they needed help with. So I was LR,d had a better paying job with a partner essentially doing the same type of work I did at Cisco; and I was contracting with a company who was a Cisco contractor. I clearly messaged to my new company, and Cisco, what was going on, and no one had any issues. This went on for the next two and one-half years. I made more money in that timeframe than I did at my first decade at Cisco (I definitely earned all of it, on call and long hours). I retired a year ago after a total of 16 years at Cisco as a blue badge, and then the remaining 30 months as partner engineer and Cisco contractor.
3 on my team that were impacted last Feb went to AWS (2) and rehired internal
From 'dec 22 only 1 is still looking
Another from dec '22 finally got a contractor gig externally 2 months ago
Depends on the job and technology you are looking for and your visa or citizen condition.
Twice, found a job before I left the current company with package. Another time, 3 months. Longest 5 months.
I know several people from the last LR. None of them are working.
It largely depends on how old you are, especially in Silicon Valley, where the competition is fierce, and all the big name companies want young recruits. While some companies have come to recognize the work ethic of baby boomers, not many want to hire them. I speak from personal experience.
I got hit last round and had a new job lined up within a month. It was a relief when my Manager told me. I had been at 6 years always hit my number but due to politics and having being at the wrong side of 50 was a sitting target. Still much happier now.
I was called back to Cisco on a phat contract making way more than I was as a BB. With RBs recently defunded I was cut. As I was leaving, I was told to sit tight as budgets will open again and to expect a call.
I’m not waiting and have been networking and looking. Things are tight but I’ve been told by many budgets are being held back waiting for the election to be decided. Once that’s over, strategies will be executed.
A buddy of mine got cut 4 years ago. He still can't find a job in tech. He does uber, homedepot, walmart gigs to pay the bills.
Hey, I was hit last time; I received 5 offers and accepted/started working 2 months later. I have a way better boss, a better team, and better accounts. I'm glad the LR happened. Something that I learned from working at Cisco for so long is that regardless of the department, role, tenure, etc....you are just like a red badge on a 6-month contract these days. I know folks are worried about this LR, but the reality is, Cisco lays people off all of the time (many of the LR's are smaller, so they don't have to report them to Wall Street. They happen, but you only hear about the big ones). Accepting the reality (that you are basically on a 6-month contract at Cisco) is helpful, as it forces the realization that there is no company loyalty. If you are not part of this LR, you could very well be part of the next LR-and that's okay, because there's life outside of Cisco and it's not the end of the world. If you get hit, enjoy the severance (if you don't take time off, it's great to have the extra money to invest towards your future)!
There should not be a rush to jump from one frying pan to another, unless crunch for money. Anyone in Cisco comes with great marketable skills that others would be very interested. On average, Cisco pays good severance and with PTO, ESPP refunds etc. can come close to 8-9 months in salary, more for long timers.
I was employed again in 3 months.
Most sales people, especially SEs, are pretty much unemployable elsewhere and those that were left Cisco long ago. You’re supposed to be technical pro but yet SE at Cisco forced for 50 hours a week to chase TAC, licensing, CX and be AMs bi--h. SE been deskilled and not own the room like the old days where they’d deliver day workshops and have the audience in palm of hand. Unless you’ve practically studying API, Python, AI, JS, automation etc and can apply that to customer you’re fu---d. No one will want you and your PPT and politicking skills.
I've been laid off before, though not at Cisco. Frankly, never been low-balled when looking for a new job. Some of them didn't pay as well, but that's to be expected and they were honest about that up front. It'll take a bit of time, especially over the holiday season, but a lot of budgets free up in the new year and hiring seems to happen more. I had competing offers from different companies in the past and had to decide which was best.
expect to be low balled by recruiters if you are unemployed
They’re taking a year off, health is better, happier and can’t believe they didn’t leave earlier on their own.