Be prepared for the anti-Cisco sentiment out in the market

Worked at Cisco for 17+ years, got LR'ed, no problem I thought, I'll find something. See I figured that if someone asked me why I stayed so long, I'd explain about how I changed roles every 3-5 years, changed jobs, big company so can move around, not institutionalized, etc...

What I never realized until I was "out" looking for jobs was just how much the average recruiter/hiring manager/ HR person had an almost personal issue with me and a preconceived notion of what a Cisco-long-timer was like.

Almost like sometime maybe around 2008 the market changed w/o me ever knowing it, and every year at Cisco was like a "negative" mark against me.

Anyway, I landed another job eventually, but it was admittedly harder than I had ever thought and harder than I had prepared for. Had nothing (I think nothing) to do with my age at the time, probably not even the jobs I applied for (wasn't picky, applied to almost any kind of salesy-vendorish job, IC,manager,team-mule, whatever, and must've been 100+).

Good luck everyone, and be sure to have at least 6 months expenses in cash and then CUT-BACK expenses to the bone. You never know...

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Just had an interview today, the hiring manager very clearly told me they didn’t care at all about my Cisco experience.

... because it was not relevant for this company?

Just had an interview today, the hiring manager very clearly told me they didn’t care at all about my Cisco experience. Luckily I had many years with a well known technology company on my resume, the hiring manager explained that is the sole reason they were interested in me and invited me to interview.

I admit I thought OP was lying, but yes there does seem to be a sentiment that Cisco is not a technology leader.

I share this not to discourage anyone. I share it so you may prepare for that reaction. It came as a surprise to me. I know we all can find a good place of employment after Cisco. Some of us may have to work a little harder to get where we want. But stay strong, stay positive, avoid the negativity.

And most importantly don’t lose hope, never lose hope.

It's only a black mark if you let it become one. Staying 17-years at a company which was dying well over a decade ago is certainly a sign.

I know a guy who worked 15 years in ASIC, got into Google and then to another chip company. Depends on the job, your experience and also connections outside Cisco systems.

I also know another manager, friendly but bad in communication. He had connections, joined company 1, stayed there for 5 years and two years ago joined another company through connections. Without connections, he won’t get anywhere.

Working at any company for 17 years is too long unless you are higher up. You should be able to get to Director at a minimum after 17 years

I mean that’s your personal anecdote. I’ve applied to various jobs and have received no issues from other large companies and startups in Silicon Valley. Been at Cisco for 4 years haven’t left because frankly there really hasn’t been a reason to leave until recently

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Be prepared for the anti-Cisco sentiment out in the market

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