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Oracle Swings the Layoff Axe

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Re: Oracle Swings the Layoff Axe

#11

Post by xkcd-sucks »

sgwae wrote: post #3
samstave wrote: post #2

I wouldnt be able to say why anyone would want to be working at oracle these days. What compelling reason does oracle even have to attract talent? (Im not being snide, seeious questions)

If we compare software engineering to retail, not everyone can work for walmart (Google), but have to make do with the random dollar store chain (Oracle). There is only so many decent jobs you know.

Oh that comparison is wonderful. I would suggest Dollar Tree for Oracle because it's reasonably successful at making money

Re: Oracle Swings the Layoff Axe

#12

Post by orathrow »

samstave wrote: post #2

I wouldnt be able to say why anyone would want to be working at oracle these days. What compelling reason does oracle even have to attract talent? (Im not being snide, seeious questions)

I work for Oracle (and I'm reasonably high-end in my niche - speak at conferences about it and stuff). None of their competitors were willing to consider remote work for the type of stuff I do. Oracle was OK with it. Hence, I work (remotely) at Oracle for the time being.

I'd have loved to take a job at a local startup, but of the limited local options for my skillset, none had salaries that would pay the mortgage....

Re: Oracle Swings the Layoff Axe

#13

Post by [deleted] »

Spearchucker wrote: post #10
sgwae wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If we compare software engineering to retail, not everyone can work for walmart (Google), but have to make do with the random dollar store chain (Oracle). There is only so many decent jobs you know.

I despise Oracle. And yet if faced with a choice I'd work for Oracle without hesitation before working for Google or Facebook.

[deleted]

Re: Oracle Swings the Layoff Axe

#14

Post by [deleted] »

toyg wrote: post #8
nate_meurer wrote: post #6

Here's a useless anecdote: I was fired from Oracle a couple years back, and it was done as pleasantly as one could expect. It completely depends on who's running your department. I was in storage testing. My direct manager had mediocre people skills, but the director is a superb manager in all respects, and she was the one who pulled the trigger in a face-to-face meeting with me. She made it as clean and honest as it…

I left when the writing was on the wall; it took another 4 years for them to pull the plug on the rest of the (UK) group, because the slow-erosion strategy wasn't working quickly enough; but they were given a pretty fair treatment, by all accounts. Oracle is a massive company, even with trade unions here in Europe. They will not screw you over, as long as you agree that their first and foremost priority is their bank…

[deleted]

Re: Oracle Swings the Layoff Axe

#15

Post by RickJWagner »

As a programmer, I'm no fan of Oracle. I think customers feel badly about a lot of things the company does, too. Obviously employees are going to think badly of Oracle as well.

But they are sharp in business dealings. If I had to pick one company to own for just pure business efficiency, Oracle would be high on the list.

Re: Oracle Swings the Layoff Axe

#16

Post by johan_larson »

sgwae wrote: post #3
samstave wrote: post #2

I wouldnt be able to say why anyone would want to be working at oracle these days. What compelling reason does oracle even have to attract talent? (Im not being snide, seeious questions)

If we compare software engineering to retail, not everyone can work for walmart (Google), but have to make do with the random dollar store chain (Oracle). There is only so many decent jobs you know.

Number 6 on the Forbes list of software companies, with a market cap of 176 billion. Their main product is very heavily used by a heck of a lot of companies. It's just a bit messy and configuration-intensive, so it doesn't get a lot of respect among the techerati.

A software engineer looking for work could do a lot worse.

Re: Oracle Swings the Layoff Axe

#17

Post by anti_milestone2 »

samstave wrote: post #2

I wouldnt be able to say why anyone would want to be working at oracle these days. What compelling reason does oracle even have to attract talent? (Im not being snide, seeious questions)

The new cloud infrastructure group is kind of hidden gem. Its very different than the rest of Oracle. It started in Seattle about 4 years ago and is like 40% ex Amazon and 40% ex Microsoft.

They also pay very well, because Oracle doesn't have a great reputation.

The work is good, with a TON of room for growth and leadership.

The goal is ambitious (take on the big players) and well funded.

The people are good. Worklife is good.

They are also still hiring.

Re: Oracle Swings the Layoff Axe

#18

Post by r00fus »

samstave wrote: post #2

I wouldnt be able to say why anyone would want to be working at oracle these days. What compelling reason does oracle even have to attract talent? (Im not being snide, seeious questions)

> What compelling reason does oracle even have to attract talent?

It used to be benefits. Back in 2005 (when I worked for them for a year) they had what I understood to be the 2nd best benefits plan in tech (just after Microsoft).

Re: Oracle Swings the Layoff Axe

#19

Post by gricardo99 »

samstave wrote: post #2

I wouldnt be able to say why anyone would want to be working at oracle these days. What compelling reason does oracle even have to attract talent? (Im not being snide, seeious questions)

I can see why most people would think working for the "fucked by the cloud" companies[1] would be a terrible idea. But as others have said, those companies are huge, and they have pretty cutting edge R&D groups. Some of the business units still put out products with very nice growth and profit margins.

1 - https://www.wired.com/2015/10/meet-walking-dead-hp-cisco-del...

Re: Oracle Swings the Layoff Axe

#20

Post by sofaofthedamned »

anti_milestone2 wrote: post #17
samstave wrote: post #2

I wouldnt be able to say why anyone would want to be working at oracle these days. What compelling reason does oracle even have to attract talent? (Im not being snide, seeious questions)

The new cloud infrastructure group is kind of hidden gem. Its very different than the rest of Oracle. It started in Seattle about 4 years ago and is like 40% ex Amazon and 40% ex Microsoft. They also pay very well, because Oracle doesn't have a great reputation. The work is good, with a TON of room for growth and leadership. The goal is ambitious (take on the big players) and well funded. The people are good. Worklif…

I went through the recruitment process for a cloud role in their Bristol, UK office. It was bizarre. I was video interviewed by 3 of their people around Europe, but none seemed to have an idea of what they were trying to do or crucially what they wanted me to do.

The people I spoke to were technically proficient, but not driven in the same way you'd imagine a FAANG employee to be. I eventually gave up after the process dragged out too far. You can imagine Amazon / AWS being able to get away with this, but Oracle?

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