Imperial Oil Reviews in Calgary, AB Area

Pros

Great project and work process experience.

Cons

Lots of bureaucratic/red tape, lack of resources and lack of management support when things don't go according to the plan.

Advice to Senior Management

Get more resources. Get the managers with TRUE Leadership qualities who can take a stand for their front line employees in the line of fire, rather than passing the bucket back to the lower cadre.
Due to the lack of resources the procedures are sometimes not followed properly in order to get the work done (meet deadlines) and the managers knowingly ignore it as they would like to get the work completed. However, when its caught up in the internal audit system or some other way, the blame is squarely put on the employee for not following as per protocol.

Pros

Excellent training, lots of responsibility at an early stage in your career, room for movement within Exxon Mobil, reasonable compensation

Cons

Force fit ranking amongst peers. Purely results orientated, less interested in how you achieved those results. Too risk adverse, limits progress of work.

Advice to Senior Management

Change your evaluation system. Force fit ranking does not motivate employees or provide long term incentive for older employees who only have more to offer.

Pros

- High Caliber of employees
- Competitive pay

Cons

- Lots of bureaucracy in the company

Advice to Senior Management

Become more adaptable

Pros

ExxonMobil majority shareholder allows for global opportunity for some. Established processes. Hire for careers as opposed to positions. Working for the biggest and best instills sense of pride in employees.

Cons

Opportunities go to the most aggressive and outspoken, not necessarily the most knowledgeable or talented. Politics and bureaucracy can be exhausting. Who you know and who likes you the most seem to determine rankings and where you end up.

Advice to Senior Management

Employees don't need to hear what you think they want to hear. Straightforward feedback without manipulation or spinning a story is best. Recognize talent that exists in employees that aren't engineers.

Pros

very High Calibre of employees. The interview process was very thorough, and they are quite selective. At the same time it was quite a bureaucratic process, with them strictly following a checklist

Cons

not enough focus put into alternative energy. Typical employee is the 'older, white male' but they are trying to change this demographic.

Advice to Senior Management

alternative energy focus, a company like BP is doing a much better job of this

Pros

Training, and International Opportunities with Exxon Mobil

Cons

Hours, and expectations of Management

Advice to Senior Management

Put more leaders in the ranks, not just managers that can handle a situation