Pros
Great benefits package. Cost of living in Houston is low, but Exxon pay is quite competitive compare to other major cities. Some opportunities for international assigment as Exxon is truely a global company (unlike Cisco, ATT, ...who merly sub-contraced the local vendor to perform the work on the behalf of the companies. Top 10% -performer-rank group's raises are quite significant compare to the rest of the rank group. Flexible with worklife balance ... (not as flexible as other tech companies with programs like telecomuting, friday earned day off, flex schedule). Take good care of employees during disaster (before Ike ... released employees early Wednesday morning so they can attend to emergency preparation/needs..., then after Ike ....interest free loan, excused time with pay to deal with insurance companies, offer limited use of company's car ...etc....)
Kontras
Very conservative company. Lots and lots of politics. Process oriented. No innovation / little creativity. Technology adapters, not inventors. Forced ranking. No bonus (rarely - very insignificant) in IT organization. Heavy on security and control.