I was hoping to make some progress in my career. Obviously, I should have done my research better when I applied here. But then again, I wonder if it's all up to me and whether I should have tried even harder. How satisfied are you with your career progress at Cisco?
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Sorry, Grade 11 is terminal in most cases. It’s the end of your time. You either have to take a job in a non-sales growth area with a unicorn requisition or have a magical manager that doesn’t change every fiscal year and wants to help you.
I am not very satisfied simply because I am located in a country with limited reqs. It very much comes down to the demand where you are located. I have acknowledged that I basically have to develop roles my self by being proactive but this is easier said than done
I have been promoted every 2 years starting from G8. Now I'm at G89. In then next 12 months I hope to move to the next grade.
PS: I don't have a brown nose, right, no ash-kizzin' for me. Pure chad!
A good mix of hard work, missing family time, a$$ kissing will get you the promotions up to G11, but to get G12 or the coveted gated entry to G13/G89 will take a whole new level of a$$ kissing that most sane people won't do. thats why they call G12's the "Frozen Middle".
What made you think coming here would be the best way to progress your career at Cisco?
I guess it's easier than actually working hard and doing a good job?
- when you are G8, you work like a rat to get a G9
- when you are G9, you work like a rat to get a G10
- when you are G10, you work like a rat to get a G11
- when you are G11, you work like a rat to get a G12
- when you are G12, you work like a rat to get a G13
by then you are basically a rat
My career has progressed fine starting as a G8 to now a 13. Things stalled a couple times but were my fault.
It did not used to be this way. In 2000s, was much easier to completely switch areas. Not sure why it changed. It did around 2010, along with the removal of pre-RSU options.
The days of longevity at a company are decreasing year by year. I do not blame 20 and 30 year olds for hopping companies every few years. Loyalty is gone.
You have two options for career advancement:
- Build strategic relationships with Directors/VPs. Learn to become a beaurocratic 'yes-man'
- Develop marketable skills and switch companies every 4 years for sign-on stock grants