Hello Guys, 5+ years at Cisco. Have seen lots of ups and downs. Great pay and benefits but zero job growth and stability. An offer from an awesome growing start up; will need me taking a pay cut though. Confused.
7 replies (most recent on top)
Run.
If you are in the Bay Area there are only 6 reasons to work for Cisco.
1.). You were acquired and you are still in your vesting period.
2.). You are a college grad that received a high starting salary and you are serving out your first 1 to 2 years before you move on to a startup offering you real equity, a chance to grow your skills, a chance for meaningful job growth, and more interesting work.
3.). You are a svp or higher at Cisco.
4,). You are established (read own home) in the Bay Area, you are a director or higher, and you enjoy the “wfh”, and less stress of a startup. (Read you dialed yourself into cushy work day at a comfortable income level for your needs and you want something to do but don’t really care about being promoted higher.)
5,). You are on some cushy account and you are riding it out until Cisco sets your yearly quota to high or you are using “your” account success to push really high in the sales ranks.
6.) you just can’t get a job any place else.
Since most other roles by now are vested, If you don’t fit into one of those 6 categories I don’t understand why anyone would stay at Cisco in the Bay Area.
Pretty much everyone in SV pays better than Cisco. You shouldn't agree to a paycut, unless you were really high at Cisco
Shouldn't have to take a salary cut. Push your value.
Was laid off and was hired at 20% more than Cisco.
Big world out there. Push yourself.
There is no security in tech anymore. Negotiate well, and move on.
Make a noise at Cisco and try to get laid off. Point out your managers shortcomings to his boss, contradict him in a few conference calls and you will be on the layoff list as fast as Jumpin' Jack Flash...
Follow your gut. Start ups are hardly secure either, but if the opportunity and excitement there will make you jump out of bed in the morning more excited about the day ahead than now, then perhaps it’s worth some thought.