Starter job, but beware the surprise layoffs
Pros
-Good starter job if you're fresh out of -Learn a lot here, very quickly, like most people say -Other companies do acknowledge them being on your resume, and like that you're familiar with a large corporate environment -If you're in the right department, you'll meet some great people, who you'll stay friends with even after leaving -If you ever get a return on something you sold, at least know that everything they tell you is a scare tactic. A $30 billion company isn't suffering because someone returned a $2 cable. Which they will try to tell you costs the company $80k somehow.
Cons
-First and foremost. This company's Buffalo office is a CALL CENTER. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Depending on the department you're in, this could be anything from a 5 call/day minimum, to your boss yelling at you for going to the bathroom, after being strapped to your chair for another 50 call day. -Company likes to conduct layoffs, which they're extremely good at hiding from the rest of the company, and obviously from the public (and DOL) -On the above, you'll notice an awful lot of things hinting they aren't doing as well as they'd like you to think. The place can't even install HEPA filters; there are huge black marks around all the air vents. -Phones are Avaya antiques from 1980. Spend a little on technology please. Vendors come in and laugh at the place. -If you don't drink, stay away. The place reeks of booze on Monday mornings. And Tuesday, and Wednesday... -Some departments are badly understaffed, between layoffs, and people leaving. I worked in one that couldn't pay people enough to stay. Literally. -If you're intelligent, and a smart worker, you may butt heads with a lot of the 'order monkeys' who work here. Be ready for a lot of frustration. -If you're a realist, and don't like meetings where people spend hours throwing around buzz words ("pillars" was a big one when I left), stay far away. You'll spend more time reading up on buzz words than actually doing work. -Some departments will give you a ridiculous amount of red tape. There are a few terrific bosses here, but a lot more who are solely interested in teaching you "how you should work at a job" and "things you do that you shouldn't do anymore." -If you are the rare breed of person who is assertive (not aggressive), and will argue a point in a fair manner, don't bother. Be ready to be taken to "the room" to be scolded by someone who was in your exact spot 2 years prior. Trying to explain your reasoning results in more yelling and punishment. -...and God forbid you ever get an item returned that you sold. You'll come home in tears.
