Hewlett-Packard starting salary - new grads Forum

[Anonymous User]

It's 150 I was told repeatedly by people during interview and it's in my offer letter

Considering they just upped their layoff target to 55,000 employees, it's likely to be $0. I can't imagine they maintain their legal hiring in the midst of splitting into two companies and laying off tens of thousands of employees. (http://www.businessinsider.com/hewlett- ... fs-2014-10)

I just received an email after the splitting that they were still continuing with the hiring. Also, this split isn't something they just did off of a whim. They have been planning for months - likely years and knew about it prior to reaching out for new hires.

[Anonymous User]

Why in the world would anyone take this risk if they have biglaw options?

If HP does lay you off after a year or two, you are screwed. You missed the biglaw bus and most other in-house positions want biglaw experience. If you go biglaw, you will have an opportunity to work at HP in-house (if they are doing well) or you can apply to any other in-house position in the country.

Makes no sense to take HP right now with its struggles...unless you struck out looking for biglaw.

[FSK]

Why in the world would anyone take this risk if they have biglaw options?

If HP does lay you off after a year or two, you are screwed. You missed the biglaw bus and most other in-house positions want biglaw experience. If you go biglaw, you will have an opportunity to work at HP in-house (if they are doing well) or you can apply to any other in-house position in the country.

Makes no sense to take HP right now with its struggles...unless you struck out looking for biglaw.

1) You want to work in house, and have a reasonable semblance of a life
2) You want F500 experience on your resume to pursue non-law opportunities with a stamp non-JDs understand

[Anonymous User]

It's 150 I was told repeatedly by people during interview and it's in my offer letter

Considering they just upped their layoff target to 55,000 employees, it's likely to be $0. I can't imagine they maintain their legal hiring in the midst of splitting into two companies and laying off tens of thousands of employees. (http://www.businessinsider.com/hewlett- ... fs-2014-10)

I just received an email after the splitting that they were still continuing with the hiring. Also, this split isn't something they just did off of a whim. They have been planning for months - likely years and knew about it prior to reaching out for new hires.

Have you already gotten an offer and they're updating you or did you inquire about the effects of the split or did the email come randomly? I am still waiting after my callback a while ago and haven't heard anything. I'm wondering if me not getting an email like this (if it came randomly) is a bad sign.

[Anonymous User]

It's 150 I was told repeatedly by people during interview and it's in my offer letter

I just received an email after the splitting that they were still continuing with the hiring. Also, this split isn't something they just did off of a whim. They have been planning for months - likely years and knew about it prior to reaching out for new hires.

Have you already gotten an offer and they're updating you or did you inquire about the effects of the split or did the email come randomly? I am still waiting after my callback a while ago and haven't heard anything. I'm wondering if me not getting an email like this (if it came randomly) is a bad sign.

It was an update email after my callback a few weeks ago. I did not email first, but I would not read too much into it. The individual who emailed me got called away at the last minute for trial and she was emailing to apologize for not being at the CB.

As far as why still take HP: I am more interested in HP than big law because HP gives young lawyers more experience than the majority of firms (plus I really liked the HP culture/way). It is a risk, but based on my research I do not see HP buckling anytime soon. They are trimming down and one ways they are doing so is by hiring young attorneys and training them instead of poaching or hiring outside help.

[Anonymous User]

Have you already gotten an offer and they're updating you or did you inquire about the effects of the split or did the email come randomly? I am still waiting after my callback a while ago and haven't heard anything. I'm wondering if me not getting an email like this (if it came randomly) is a bad sign.

Different poster than above. I already accepted an offer and they emailed me essentially saying "everything will be fine and nothing will change." They also made sure that I got a chance to speak to someone over the phone to ask any questions I would have.

Also lol @ the poster unable to comprehend how someone would take this over big law. Big law comes with its own set of risks (many of which are well documented on TLS) not to mention a high attrition rate. Many people don't want big law at all, and I'm sure it's not that easy to just lateral in-house whenever you feel like it (many companies prefer in-house experience anyway).

If your end goal is in-house, this split announcement may not change your calculus much. I asked if the 55k layoffs would affect the legal department; they said it wouldn't and tried to paint the split as a positive thing creating more opportunities for the OGC. Now whether you want to believe that or not is another story, and it's certainly fair to be wary of any news like this, but lol @ the idea that big law is unequivocally a better option for everyone.

[Anonymous User]

Have you already gotten an offer and they're updating you or did you inquire about the effects of the split or did the email come randomly? I am still waiting after my callback a while ago and haven't heard anything. I'm wondering if me not getting an email like this (if it came randomly) is a bad sign.

Different poster than above. I already accepted an offer and they emailed me essentially saying "everything will be fine and nothing will change." They also made sure that I got a chance to speak to someone over the phone to ask any questions I would have.

Also lol @ the poster unable to comprehend how someone would take this over big law. Big law comes with its own set of risks (many of which are well documented on TLS) not to mention a high attrition rate. Many people don't want big law at all, and I'm sure it's not that easy to just lateral in-house whenever you feel like it (many companies prefer in-house experience anyway).

If your end goal is in-house, this split announcement may not change your calculus much. I asked if the 55k layoffs would affect the legal department; they said it wouldn't and tried to paint the split as a positive thing creating more opportunities for the OGC. Now whether you want to believe that or not is another story, and it's certainly fair to be wary of any news like this, but lol @ the idea that big law is unequivocally a better option for everyone.

do you have a sense of how many offers they have already given out? I was told they wanted to finish the callbacks before they made decisions (I understand there are obvious exceptions) but I'm wondering if you have a sense if most the offers have been made or not. also congrats on the offer, hopefully I'll be joining you.

[Anonymous User]

do you have a sense of how many offers they have already given out? I was told they wanted to finish the callbacks before they made decisions (I understand there are obvious exceptions) but I'm wondering if you have a sense if most the offers have been made or not. also congrats on the offer, hopefully I'll be joining you.

they've given out a few but i doubt they've all been given. also someone above said they heard they just finalized and will be making decisions soon.

[Anonymous User]

Why in the world would anyone take this risk if they have biglaw options?

If HP does lay you off after a year or two, you are screwed. You missed the biglaw bus and most other in-house positions want biglaw experience. If you go biglaw, you will have an opportunity to work at HP in-house (if they are doing well) or you can apply to any other in-house position in the country.

Makes no sense to take HP right now with its struggles...unless you struck out looking for biglaw.

Most in-house positions will accept in-house experience at a major company in lieu of big law experience (although 1 year or even 2 years might be too little experience for another in-house job, whether or not its biglaw experience), and if HP were in better shape this would be one of the best post law school opportunities out there. Also, you have to be kidding if you think it's that easy to get an in-house position at a company like HP with big-law experience. It's doable if you're in the right practice area and the timing is right, but it's not like you can just walk right in there. However, I agree with you, HP is just too dangerous right now unless they can give people with offers a clear answer of what will happen post-split. Even then, I'd be tempted to take the biglaw offer. Also, are these just summer positions with no guarantee of a permanent offer? If so, I'd be very scared of a no offer.

[Johann]

In-house experience at HP will be better than any first year experience at any biglaw firm if doomsday scenario happens. But, it's not doomsday. Considering HP has known about this split for a while, they wouldn't still be doing the program if it was in any jeopardy. Investors that know a lot more than anyone in this thread thinks its an excellent business move - enough to warrant a 5% stock bump. Absolutely no reason to let this affect your decision at all. Congrats and enjoy the kush life guys!

[Anonymous User]

Also, are these just summer positions with no guarantee of a permanent offer? If so, I'd be very scared of a no offer.

it's supposed to be as "guaranteed" as they are for big law firms. they offered everyone last year, but who knows, there's always a risk as with any SA position

[20141023]

.

[Anonymous User]

Don't want to digress too far away. But what would a "good" inhouse job look like for V100 corporate attorneys with 2-4 years?

Pay?
work type?
benefits?

Thanks !

[Anonymous User]

Question. Interesting discussion.

1) Is in-house experience viewed as tough to break ground post-law school?

2) If that's the case, does in-house experience right after law school carry weight amongst lateral moves for other F500 or F200 companies later?

3) Hypothetically, does anyone see the inverse happening? In-house first then transitioned into biglaw? Can big law seek after the in-house GC attorneys? Or is it seen less weighty?

Any thoughts????

[Anonymous User]

where is this HP job description? No where on their website or is it?

[Anonymous User]

Don't want to digress too far away. But what would a "good" inhouse job look like for V100 corporate attorneys with 2-4 years?

Pay?
work type?
benefits?

Thanks !

It varies a lot. I'm in-house at a major company. I wasn't a V-100 associate but most of the hiring we do comes from the firms we work with, whether it V100 or not. The pay is surprisingly good. We hired one 2nd year and one 3rd year and their salaries were in the 150-160 range. We also have cost of living adjustments if we send you to a high COL area. You don't get a bonus immediately but after a year the top 20% get a bonus (normally in stock). After that it takes between 5-10 yrs to makes executive and then the bigger bonuses start. You have to be a complete idiot to not make at least 500k/yr by the time you retire. I work approx. 50hrs a week. From what my friends tell me the benefits are great compared to law firm. I don't want to go into too much detail because it could out the company but the benefits are top notch. The work is pretty substantive. I interact with my clients directly and i get to draft documents. They treat me like an integral part of the team. For instance, I'm flying to Budapest (in business class) for a leadership team meeting. I'll be the only lawyer there for mt client. The only bad thing is the lack of an organized learning model. You have actively seek guidance from other attorneys. My company doesn't recruit from law schools and I kind of just backed into the job. The HP job seems to be more structured and I wish I had that. The thing that scared me from HP as a 3L was the fiscal health, it was just too risky for me to take their offer.

[Anonymous User]

anyone still waiting? (I am..)

[gk101]

Question. Interesting discussion.

1) Is in-house experience viewed as tough to break ground post-law school?

2) If that's the case, does in-house experience right after law school carry weight amongst lateral moves for other F500 or F200 companies later?

3) Hypothetically, does anyone see the inverse happening? In-house first then transitioned into biglaw? Can big law seek after the in-house GC attorneys? Or is it seen less weighty?

Any thoughts????

Yes
No
No, No, No

[Anonymous User]

anyone still waiting? (I am..)

You're not alone

[Anonymous User]

I'm a little confused about this whole scenario. Does anyone else here still waiting feel like we're just waiting to get a denial? I'm starting to feel grim about the prospect of offers coming out this late. Although on the other hand, I feel like if they 100% didn't want me they would have told me by now...

[Anonymous User]

I'm a little confused about this whole scenario. Does anyone else here still waiting feel like we're just waiting to get a denial? I'm starting to feel grim about the prospect of offers coming out this late. Although on the other hand, I feel like if they 100% didn't want me they would have told me by now...

I received an offer a week ago. It sounded like they were still in the hiring process/waiting on responses.
Keep your heads up!

[Anonymous User]

I'm a little confused about this whole scenario. Does anyone else here still waiting feel like we're just waiting to get a denial? I'm starting to feel grim about the prospect of offers coming out this late. Although on the other hand, I feel like if they 100% didn't want me they would have told me by now...

I received an offer a week ago. It sounded like they were still in the hiring process/waiting on responses.
Keep your heads up!

Mind if you answer a couple questions? I'm really starting to get down about this and any information would be helpful.

What makes you think they are still in the process? Did they mention a deadline to reply to them by?
Did they call you with the offer on a Friday? For some reason I have it in my head that all their decisions happen on Fridays. Not that it matters, just Fridays are getting a little nervy for me.

Any information would be helpful. Congrats on the offer

[Anonymous User]

ding letters are also in the mail, dated late last week. letter says spots have been filled.

[Anonymous User]

ding letters are also in the mail, dated late last week. letter says spots have been filled.

damn. did you get it today or yesterday?

[Anonymous User]

ding letters are also in the mail, dated late last week. letter says spots have been filled.

damn. did you get it today or yesterday?

yesterday