How to get a job at HP.

Do you work at HP? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?

Any advice for someone trying to get in?

I am interested in the feedback here.

If you did not go to a top 10 business school or a top 30 engineering school, don't bother.

Yes and I suggest you look for jobs elsewhere

Host said: Do you work at HP? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?
Any advice for someone trying to get in?

I went to HP booth at the Westech show and got the interview. I don't think top school is the only way to get in.
Incidentally, I believe ANRITSU makes equally good or better products and they cost less. If HP continues to look with a blind eye towards "right" candidates it will lose more ground. Ever wonder why the big corporation are moving towards service industry ?
I worked once for a NAVY subcontractor I was told sternly by the official that NAVY "prefers" HP. Even after exhaustive tests I found ANRITSU to be far better product.
They can spend all the R&D dollars but a right candidate with creative idea will supercede anything HP will build.
So apply with HP competitors.
Best of Luck to HP.

Not sure why you want to compare ANRITSU and HP. For almost 7 years HP has not made any sort of test equipment, making your argument invalid.

How do you get a foot in the door with this business? I know the only way they'll accept your resume is online, but I've been applying for a inside sales rep or tech support position for months now and they always turn me down. I know a few people who don't have a degree in any of this stuff.

If you can help me out please respond back on any little tips you have. Thanks!

I am interested in joining HP also - but nothing I have read here is any help to me...

how about someone giving some insight into the culture and selection process - DOs and DONTs - best path for making contact - and BEST of ALL some names of people inside who can help???

I am experienced in Operations / Quality / Engineering / Supply Chain in data storage with great skills - Director level.

You should go to www.hp.com. Find the Jobs selection button at the bottom of the screen. You will see a prompt to select where you would like to work (what country) and then you can search through the job listings and apply on line for any specific job position.

Anyone in California need their overtime paid?

Check out www.paymeovertime.com

Thanks Tim...

18 days and this is this is best response I can get from HP Blog... sad :(

I submitted my resume for general consideration in spring 2006 and then applied for a specific job in December 2006. It took about a month before I got a call back.

I interviewed over the phone for an hour with one person, then went in the following week and interviewed with 8 people. All wanted to make sure that not only did I have the skills for the job, but that I would be a good cultural fit with the rest of the team.

I am impressed with the quality of schools people attended before working at HP, as well as the number of MBAs my colleagues have. Looks like I'll be going back to school at some point in order to stay competitive ...

did you ever work for HP?

Walt

First of all remember that HP is still laying off employees from that "CEO" that left the company is disrepair. Mark Hurd is doing great things to get the company back to its "old" status but things are tight. Also, they just put a hiring freeze on which means until November 1st it is unlikely that many jobs will move forward. This is done just about every year because the fiscal year ends on Oct 31st. Yes, I worked for HP for 21 years until layoff round #13.

Host said: Do you work at HP? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?

Any advice for someone trying to get in?

Start out as a contractor for Adecco Technical or Manpower Professional. Half of the employees at HP-Boise are contract.

Ginna in Colorado Springs, Colorado said: How do you get a foot in the door with this business? I know the only way they'll accept your resume is online, but I've been applying for a inside sales rep or tech support position for months now and they always turn me down. I know a few people who don't have a degree in any of this stuff.

If you can help me out please respond back on any little tips you have. Thanks!

I am sure HP posts their jobs, when they have an internal candidate, I experienced your same frustation, and made a fake application, with excellent credentials, the really perfect match, one of those replies that the hiring manager wouldve gone, OH MY GOD, and I never got a reply, so it makes me think they are not serious about their postings

Kay James in Aurora, Colorado said: If you did not go to a top 10 business school or a top 30 engineering school, don't bother.

I work with many engineers who went to the local college and are HP employees. It is not a top flight college. One was hired recently.

JT in Katy, Texas said: I am sure HP posts their jobs, when they have an internal candidate, I experienced your same frustation, and made a fake application, with excellent credentials, the really perfect match, one of those replies that the hiring manager wouldve gone, OH MY GOD, and I never got a reply, so it makes me think they are not serious about their postings

Not my experience. I am a contractor trying to get in. I've had some interviews, but the jobs are highly competitive because HP is an awesome company and a lot of people want to work there. I know for a fact that two of the jobs I interviewed for were filled with external, but local, candidates. Our market has a lot of great local candidates, so there is no need for HP to move someone into the area.

I believe luck plays an important role too.

But, for how long do you work as a contractor before you become a fulltime employee?

Unfortunately, these contract jobs are not listed on their website. You can only hear about them from recruiters like Adecco. So, you are at the mercy of staffing agencies.

Mary in Hollister, California said: First of all remember that HP is still laying off employees from that "CEO" that left the company is disrepair. Mark Hurd is doing great things to get the company back to its "old" status but things are tight. Also, they just put a hiring freeze on which means until November 1st it is unlikely that many jobs will move forward. This is done just about every year because the fiscal year ends on Oct 31st. Yes, I worked for HP for 21 years until layoff round #13.

Are things looking good for Nov 1st?

Some people stay in contract positions for years. I know a couple people that have been contractors for 10 years. Contracting does not always equate to eventually getting a job, however, it does help in some cases. I know several contractors who got good experience and made good contacts and eventually got in because of this. It is still highly competitive and internal candidates are often given preference over outsiders, especially when the insider is at risk of being down-sized out. HP makes a good attempt at keeping its people. I respect that. Contracting at HP is a pretty good gig in itself...depending on what your current options are, it's something to consider. It's not your typical "temp" job.

A small voice in Austin, Texas said: But, for how long do you work as a contractor before you become a fulltime employee?

see reply below...I replied to the wrong comment.

What site did you go to to apply

For the site you can go to jobs.hp.com

I work for HP and as a hiring manager I know we must post all open jobs on this website. To be honest, sometimes we have candidates in mind with the posting but regardless we must post here and it must list for a certain number of days before we can make decisions.

I think one of the greatest assets you can have when applying at HP is an internal reference. There are many ways to interact with HP as a partner, competitor, customer, or supplier and just taking the name you know and asking them to send an email or phone call on your behalf really helps you stand out. However, be prepared to earn that reference. Just because you get my name doesn't mean I will send a recommendation on your behalf. Or if I do you are talking about the difference between a shining recommendation and a take-it-or-leave-it kind of note.

One thing, don't ask for a recommendation until you submit your resume on the website. There is a job code in the job description that should be included. People involved with hiring can use this number to easily track down who posted the job.

Culture is very important and very particular to the hiring team so if you get to an interview don't be shy to understand how they conduct business or what characteristics they value.

Also, most of the time the hiring process is relatively slow. Don't be discouraged if you don't hear anything immediately but do follow up. We owe you the courtesy of keeping you informed on the process. (That's a personal belief not company code but would you want to work for someone who took your time for granted?)

^ That was really helpful. Nice to know. It's definitely a tough world out there!

I was wondering if anyone here knew anything about the on-site interviews - what is the format generally, for a non-technical new grad job? How many people will be interviewing me?

If It is a job with HP Dearborn, Mi Don't Do It, a sweat shop, mgr is quite rude, and will swear at you.