Perks and Programs

We asked Cisco to share a few programs they feel really capture what's unique about their workplace. Here is what they had to say.

• Connected Recognition: A thank you means so much more when it comes from your peers. With over 236,000 global recognition moments in FY17, everyone is a part of the rewards process, not just our leaders. There’s no long, drawn-out process, so people get the thanks they deserve right away. No approval is required for recognition under $100, and employees can give rewards with higher value, up to $2,000, with a manager’s approval. Everyone can nominate someone they see embodying our culture to connect everything, innovate everywhere and benefit everyone. 87 percent of the employees have received an award!
• LifeConnections Health and Fitness Center: Our largest US campus sites have Cisco LifeConnections Health and Fitness Centers where our people can stay healthy and recharge. The 24,000 square-foot facility in San Jose has medical offices, a pharmacy, vision center, dental center and fitness center all under one room. At our fitness center, employees can get everything from massage therapy and pilates to coaching and nutrition counseling. And because we’re Cisco, our employees like to geek out when they workout by creating their own workout experience with customized displays, personalized training programs and virtual outdoor training scenarios. Their training data and preferences are all stored in the cloud, so employees can access the info whenever and wherever they like.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Balancing all of life’s responsibilities and joys is personal to every individual. There’s no “one size fits all.” That’s why work-life balance at Cisco is at the discretion of each employee and their manager. We give our employees the tools and technologies to work anywhere, anytime. More than 70 percent of our employees use this benefit and work from both their home and office on a regular basis. For instance, the Network Virtual Office lets employees work from home—over a secured connection— with all the tools they have in the office. It’s like your office cube teleported to your living room.
• Time2Give: We know employees want to make a difference in the world. Our Employees told us they wanted more time and flexibility to volunteer, and we gave it to them! Through Time2Give, each employee gets five days per year—fully paid—to volunteer for the cause(s) of their choice. In fiscal year 2017, Cisco employees volunteered 138,339 hours using Time2Give!
• Birthday Day Off: At Cisco, we know that sometimes it’s the little things that make a world of difference in the lives of our employees. How about making your birthday your own personal holiday? All employees are able to take a day off, with pay, up to 10 calendar days before or after their birthday. All employees need to do is tell their manager what day they’ll be taking off. Some employees have celebrated by kayaking, going to the movies with family or relaxing by the beach.
• Money Coach: Personal finances can be challenging, regardless of your life stage or income level. So Cisco gives you access to a personal Money Coach! You can work with a certified, unbiased My Secure Advantage Money Coach for up to 90 consecutive days each calendar year at no cost to you! Like a personal trainer, a Money Coach helps you get in great financial shape. Launched in Fall 2016, 1,000 employees have engaged with a coach and over 400 attended an informational meeting on how to get help from Money Coach.
• Inclusion and Collaboration Communities: At Cisco, our culture of inclusion is fueled by a vibrant I&C Community—a platform for diverse groups to connect, explore their passions and talents, innovate, and excel. Over 25,000 of our people now participate across 43 countries through groups designed around a variety of unique objectives. Cisco’s Employee Resource Organizations (EROs)—like Conexion, Connected Black Professionals, PRIDE, VETS, and Connected Women—bring together members of diverse groups of employees to build relationships and to do amazing things within our company and across the world. Our Business Initiated Networks align by function— like Women in Cyber Security—to innovate and develop new capabilities. Virtual Groups help connect remote workers and I&C Ambassadors advocate for the culture of inclusion at Cisco.
• Cisco's Disaster Response Team: Cisco is there when disaster strikes. With the ability to deploy within 72 hours, our Tactical Operations (TacOps) team quickly responds by establishing emergency communications for government agencies and humanitarian organizations so they can synchronize their relief efforts. The iconic Network Emergency Response Vehicle serves as the self-contained command and communications center in the field. TacOps has responded to over 39 disasters on six continents and connected more than 600,000 people during acute crises. Most recently, our TacOps team was deployed to respond to the refugee crisis in Europe and North Uganda, Hurricane Harvey in Texas, and the Blue Cut Fire in California.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan: Cisco’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) is a fantastic opportunity for our employees to improve their financial wellbeing or simply show confidence in Cisco’s future. Employees can elect to contribute up to 10% of their pay to purchase Cisco stock. Purchases are made twice per year at 85% of the fair market value based on the stock price at the beginning of the 24-month offering period, or on the purchase date, whichever is lower. The ESPP program’s generous 24-month offering period is a differentiator compared to our peers. Over 67% of our U.S. employees participate in the ESPP program.
• Talent Programs: Your career is important to Cisco. Both your current role and the roles you will take on in the future. Cisco provides a StandOut Assessment to reveal what energizes a person at work and guides them to play to their strengths everyday. My Development Space enables employees to understand and assess their skills, find personalized learning opportunities, and discover new projects and roles to support their growth and development. This tool greatly supports you while you navigate your career next steps in the short and long term as seen by the 80% utilization of employees.

How to Get Hired

We asked Cisco for some inside information on how to get hired at the organization. Here is what they had to say.

What key characteristics tell you a prospective employee will be a great fit for your company?

Our edge comes from our people: bold, proactive, self-starters, with a let’s-make-it-happen mentality.  We look for people who ask, “Why” and “What could be?”. Individuals who communicate simply, who build strong relationships, and who create a lasting impact from day one. We’re on the lookout for people who create and harness the power of teams. Who are just as focused on their own success as their team’s success. Who bring diversity of thought and character to teams. We want the team builders. The risk takers. The authentic leaders who shine in our “Be You With Us” atmosphere and proudly say, “I can be my weird authentic self around here.” Who are the people that fit? The ones that read this and thought, “This. Is. Me.”.

What can prospective employees do to get your attention?

Be proactive. Stand out. Show us how you shine. Don’t just submit an application—connect with us. Find out who we are and what we’re all about. We want to know you—and you to know us—so tell us what matters most to you at work, at home, and beyond. Here’s a hint about what matters to us: We Connect Everything—people, process, data and things – to change the world for the better We Innovate Everywhere—to create fresh ideas and possibilities. We take bold risks to shape the future and learn from failure We Benefit Everyone—making a meaningful difference for our people, our customers and the world around us. Engage with us beyond the application and before the interview process begins. Curiosity and courage pay off here. Go ahead, put your best foot forward. We can’t wait to meet you.

Are there any positions or types of candidates you are particularly focused on hiring in this coming year?

We’re always on the lookout for authentic people who bring their best self to work every day, and bring out the best in everyone around them. We need people that think strategically and approach problems creatively. We focus relentlessly on matching the right solution to the most complex problem. With our new focus on The Network Intuitive—which learns, adapts and responds like never before—our need for software specialists is growing. We also need sales people who look beyond the sale to help our customer’s solve their toughest business challenges. If you can build, partner, sell, or communicate—and you geek out on technology—we just may have the dream job for you.

What should interested candidates do to find out more and get started?

To kick-start your recruiting process, visit Cisco’s career page. We love creative, bold, authentic people that take thoughtful risks. Show us who you are by contacting our recruiters. If you’re still in school or a recent grad, talk to your university’s career center to learn about our intern, MBA, and early-in-career programs. Get inspired by our culture and our employee by reading the Life at Cisco blog. Then, go social. Follow #WeAreCisco on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat—and see Cisco through the eyes of our employees. The #WeAreCisco tribe is like one big, techie family that likes building things to change the world. And having fun along the way. Sound good? Get in touch with us today.