Novell Reviews

I have been working at Novell

Pros – As a student at BYU, Novell has been EXTREMELY flexible with my work schedule. I make my own hours, and when I need time off as long as I let them know in advance I'm able to take off as much as I need. I've gained incredible work experience here as well, being able to work on great projects that often times the Board of Directors see.

Cons – I would be afraid to work here if I were planning on building a long term career starting at Novell. There's not a lot of room to grow.

There's also been uncertainty around Novell's financial stability. Recent rumors of a possible by out (although denied by the CEO) are one example of the uncertainty the company faces. Novell's been around for a while, yes, but its continued long term viability remains to be seen.

Advice to Senior Management – Focus on long-term and not short term results. For example, the company recently finished a "100-in-100" campaign, with the goal being to invoice $100 million in revenue in 100 days. If management really wants to build long-term shareholder wealth, they'd focus on longer-term initiatives and not promote the bad habits that evolve from these short-term initiatives.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Novell

Pros – 1. Training and Exposure: The department that I work in has taken extreme measures to provide me with exposure to many of Novell's business issues. As a business/accounting major, I have found that working at Novell has provided me with a significant amount of relevant experience. Many of my post-graduate-employer interviews have had my experience at Novell as a main discussion point, and often earned me the offer. My managers provide plenty of training and mentoring, while still permitting a loose enough leash to let me venture independently.

2. Public Company in Provo: In the Provo area, it is difficult to find an employer that is large enough to expose you to hot topics and big business issues. Novell provides exactly that. With almost a $1 billion in revenue, Novell has operations all over the world. That background provides valuable perspective.

3. Fair Compensation: For the area, the pay is really great.

4. Awesome Work Environment: The campus Novell is on is really beautiful and very clean. The buildings are well maintained and they offer many great benefits: Free gym membership, decent food/cafeteria, and many other on-site services.

5. Flexibility: My managers have been extremely flexible with my work schedule. I usually just tell them when and they approve it. It is designed more around project needs than an hourly commitment. They also let me take off for 10 weeks to do an internship elsewhere! (with a Big Four Accounting Firm) So they are very flexible and want students to gain a lot of experience for their future careers.

Cons – 1. Minimum 20 Hours per Week: I only put this here since I can't think of anything else. I work a lot more than that - although my schedule is very flexible. I'm not sure if this applies to other interns in other departments either.

2. No benefits for interns (medical): Not to be expected, but something to be aware of. (We still get paid holidays though!)

3. If you are a college student, Novell is in the southern most part of Provo. So you will need a car or bus pass. Hardly a "Con", but again - something to be aware of.

Advice to Senior Management – The grounds are extremely nice. Almost too nice. I just hope that we aren't spending so much money on the campus that we are taking away growth/job opportunities.

Focus less on cost cutting and more on revenue growth. Cost-cutting (which is extremely important) only goes so far. It is great to be profitable again, but I would love to see our revenue taking off. I loved the 100 in 100 campaign. Hopefully it is the first of many good ideas.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I worked at Novell

Pros – I enjoyed the atmosphere at Novell as much as anything else. There was always a lot of work to be done, but the expectation was not that anybody had to work 24/7. The people at Novell seemed to care about each other, as people.

Cons – The company's long-term health is somewhat in question. If the Linux strategy doesn't work, they'll have gutted long-term profitable products to meet expense targets and be left with a product that ultimately doesn't produce revenue.

Advice to Senior Management – Trim away products that make no / little money. The company is spread too thin, and the near-constant layoffs are very much a morale drain. Invest in what makes money and require all divisions of the company to do that.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Novell

Pros – Novell has a really good atmosphere and does have some of the best benefits that are available. They are also open about time off and coming in to work at a decent time.

Cons – Novell does not have a very good way of promoting their products, thus customers move on to competitors all the time. The company it's self is constantly shrinking its head count, making everyone nervous that their job is next to get cut.

Advice to Senior Management – I enjoy the atmosphere but I would like to know that I have a future in the company. I would also ask management to not micromanage the employees.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Novell

Pros – Good benefits
Excellent facilities, offices rather than cubicles
Lots of vacation time
Flexible for telecommuting
Very strong technology portfolio, just week on execution.

Cons – Uncertain future, the strategy changes so often that the average employee doesn't keep up with it.
Lots of off-shoring. This makes work schedules erratic, but good if you want work in China or India.

Advice to Senior Management – ask yourselves the question, "When we've off-shored the majority of R&D to reduce costs, how do we innovate to create sustainable growth?"

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Novell

Pros – Novell provides great benefits - health, dental, etc

Cons – The company has not grown and there is no growth in sight

Advice to Senior Management – organic growth

I worked at Novell

Pros – Actually, even with the constant fear of layoffs and outsourcing, it has been more than worth it. This has been a great place to work; a lot of fun. They value people in general and make sure you are taken care of. There is a great emphasis placed on career path and training. My mangers have been extremely fair in promotion and bonuses. They are understanding of family situations. Though in some departments there is a tendency to overwork, mine was much less problematic. I value their commitment to open source.

Cons – The constant fear of layoff and outsourcing is real. It finally hit me though I had managed to avoid it for years. Though we are being offered jobs at the outsourcer, it will be a definite reduction in benefits.

Advice to Senior Management – Please stay committed to Linux and open source. There is a whole world that will open up as you do.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I worked at Novell

Pros – Very innovative products. Company is constantly on the cutting edge with its offerings.

Cons – Company lacks direction and seems layoffs/RIFs happen at least 2-3 times a year.

Advice to Senior Management – Leverage the existing technology as it's vastly superior to what else is out there. Stop constantly "right-sizing" the company

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Novell

Pros – Open source, fairly cutting edge, fairly innovative managment

Cons – It's a bit stodgy of a place

Advice to Senior Management – Nothing

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at Novell

Pros – Flexible working hours, reasonable benefits, good compensation.

Cons – Too much focus on cost accounting, not enough on productivity vs. cost.

Advice to Senior Management – Stop outsourcing, it's not cost effective.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend