Caterpillar – “OK Company to work for, very dependent on the economy”

Pros

Very large, recognizable company with lots of money to invest in projects
The CAT name looks great on a resume
If the economy is good, things at CAT are great
Overall, the employees are very nice and friendly
Lots of experience in knowledge in the mechanical domain
Lots of recreational sports leagues to participate in

Cons

Location, small city in central IL, weather can be rough too
Can be expected to say in a job for several years, even if you want to move elsewhere
Performance ratings are a distribution more than a representation of your actual performance
When the economy is bad, well, working there is very demanding
Lots of red tape in the process you need to work around
Need several years experience before you are taken seriously

Advice to Senior Management

In such a huge company, it is important to remember the people who are not at the top, working in the trenches day in and day out. Processes are good, but sometimes can get in the way.