Working at Cisco Systems in San Jose, CA: 448 Employee Job Reviews by Real Employee working in San Jose, CA Area

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"In Cisco you work with the cutting edge technologies - always up to date. Working remotely - almost every day is a great perk too (Cisco IT only)."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Personally, I had terrible experiences with both the recruiters and the hiring managers - although I was a pretty higher-grade employee (higher than hiring managers!) at Cisco and recently got laid-off. They never contact you after the interviews unless they hire somebody, I suppose. They simply treat you like trash - although you were a Cisco employee recently. I remember, before I got the job at Cisco, I had a file written to complain (email) against the recruiter/s and hiring manager/s. But it was way back when, when the economy was NOT as it is today!"

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"Managers - unfortunately I have rarely seen a company where the managers are so worthless! You always have to say yes sir, yes sir, to get the bonus but learn nothing from them, but get orders only. I have worked for half a dozen companies globally and I know what I am talking about!"

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Weed out worthless managers with qualified ones. In Cisco, there are managers without any portfolio - nobody reports to them, and directors who do not have even any team to direct. Seriously!"

"Good place for networking technologies."

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"It is a good networking, switching, and routing company from L1 to L7."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Interview with CISCO just like any other company you want to interview. Be prepared."

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"Management often loses focus. Hardware is missing advertised functionality and needs software patches."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"There are too many concurrent assignments with conflicting goals and deadlines - not managed well."

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"I like the great work-life balance, and they are a front-runner in technology for internal use."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Be yourself in your interview and try not to be nervous."

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"I work in San Jose and I want to be closer to my family."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Get involved in critical projects early on and keep the momentum going."

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"They are really comfortable to work with, and I like being able to work on remote locations, etc."

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"They are not flexible enough sometimes, in terms of changing things, etc."

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"I like having the opportunity to work at the leading edge of the technology."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Technical competence is a must, but the candidate must demonstrate teamwork and collaboration."

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"Too many projects are cancelled, even when ready for release to manufacturing."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Go back to a start-up mentality without losing the collaboration environment."

"A great place to work at Cisco."

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"I like the culture, flexibility of work hours, many great people, and great benefits."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Be yourself and have integrity. Honesty is always the best policy. Strong work ethics are a must."

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"I dislike some bad managers who mistreat people and who let their positions dictate their relationship with other people."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"They need to look at managers who are not customer-centric."

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"I like the work culture, ownership of work, and great people. Leadership is very nice, and the atmosphere is very cool."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Prepare well, as the company is worth the effort. There are many events happening now and then, so it is a balanced atmosphere."

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"I dislike that there is less resources and very little help. They expect you to settle on your own and be productive from the first day."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"I would suggest more facilities for the new people to settle in comfortably."

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"I like the great team and great product vision, and excellent partner ecosystem."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Focus on experience and how it relates to the near term goals."

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"The product did not fit well into other products and the precise needs of partners."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Listen carefully to a few key customers to help shape the product."

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"It is a good company to work for - nice work/life balance."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Show how you can fix problems which can't be fixed by insiders. :-)"

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"I dislike politics and bureaucracy. Endurance is required at times. There are a lot of frequent re-orgs."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"I suggest radical change. Remove the dead wood and the redundant mid-layer managements."

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"I like the job security and available resource. I like the relatively short commute distance from home."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Do not go for contract work. Apply for full-time and make sure you interview your manager."

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"It is micromanaged by managers. There are zero opportunities to grow. Contract workers often are seen as an inferior class."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"The lower management tier sucked. They focused on self-serving, ego-boosting projects - not pleasant to work with."

"Cisco is a great company and has a great culture."

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"They are a leader in their field. I like the superb management, open culture, and that they are some of the brightest people in the industry."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"You have to project your competence and skills, as Cisco has some of the brightest folks working there."

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"They are too big and now losing focus and getting too bureaucratic."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Cut down the layers of management; take fast decisions and trust the long-timers."

"Great team dynamics. Most managers are fantastic, and there are great learning ops."

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"They are an excellent company to work for. Youll work with the best and the brightest. The San Jose offices have the best synergy and consist of great team environments with little room for big egos or attitudes; RTP offices in North Carolina unfortunately dont share that same sense of camaraderie. Youll find that immediate management is well-engaged, approachable, and open-minded. However, a layer or two up and the directives can vastly differ."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Do your homework. The interview process may differ from team to team, but the expectation is always high that the candidates they meet with will be extremely well versed in Cisco technologies."

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"I dislike having no sick days. Any time out, sick is deducted from your vacation days."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"The layers of mid to senior management have become too large and inefficient."

"Great overall experience."

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"I like the flexibility, home office, travel, and the ability to get things done."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Some job postings are long before the hiring begins. Have patience at best when you already have employment."

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"Management did not interact with customers, but only in internal meetings, which loses touch."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Get out to the field one week a month to solve problems."

"Very good."

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"They are an equal opportunity employer with good insurance benefits, and a good team to work with."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"For new systems, it's better for new members. It's a good company"

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"They are very possessive and don't want to go for advanced technologies or features available."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Frequent discussions with teams would clear the perspective of the employees."

What do you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"I can learn many business models from this company and in this team."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"It is a stable company but may not suit for people who are aggressive about their career."

What don't you like about working at Cisco Systems?

"People in the company do not have a strong sense of ownership."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"The management needs to have better planning and promote ownership."