Having worked at Cisco for around 12 years, I left a few years ago to pursue other opportunities including a start-up. Currently out of work, in this tough job market and I saw this great opportunity working with the government unit there. First of all, some background on this organization. They don't hire any non-whites into management roles there or program management roles, and most of the people working there are white boys and white girls. Some things don't change here in the south. My previous attempts to get into this organization failed for reasons they wouldn't disclose. One manager mentioned I have tremendous technical skills but lacked knowledge of a particular secret government security protocol. I asked him what it was. He told me it was classified. HaHa! Here is another aspect to almost everyone's career. You evolve as a professional. IN my case, I began with QA, then became a test team lead, then started project leading. I have also done QA management. So I walked into this interview, armed with Cisco background, tons of project management experience, sound technical knowledge, and experience with product certifications. Right away they started assuming that I would not be happy in the PM role because I had a technical background. I spent the next 3 hours trying to convince everyone I interviewed with that the engineering skills would enhance my ability to do a better job. I explained the PM tools I have used, PLC, reporting tools, project planning etc. This is the same organization that would not give me a chance to interview for a test management position which I am qualified to do as well. What gives? Of course, I wasn't chosen. It looks like more of the same at Cisco. Narrow-minded, boxed in approach, bunch of robots just following each other.

Reponded to opportunity on LinkedIn. Contacted by Cisco recruiter. Everything was extremely professionally handled. I had three separate interviews, including one where I was required to create a presentation for a panel. It was a very thorough process and took about a month.