Pros
It’s very difficult to review FedEx and no one opinion can be generalized to reflect how this company works. Being a large company it in a way works like the world itself. There are some good parts that make you proud and there are some parts that will totally annoy and drive you out of the company. So opinions will largely depend on which part do you face the most. On overall level and it’s a well respected company led by a visionary. It’s in a good position in the industry as there are high barriers to entry especially on the Express and Ground business. FedEx being in logistic domain is operationally driven company and luckily the management and systems are very strong where they should be. If you work in the operation area this is a best place to work as company’s focus as well as all the services including IT are dominant in this area. However, if you work in shared services like Marketing or Sales this may seem like a terrible place as everything seems inferior in this area, management, systems. FedEx is well known for path breaking advances in IT, but if you are in Services area, the IT support is abysmal.
Cons
Experience and opinion of FedEx are also largely shaped by individuals and their career aspirations. For many folks, working in a stable company and living in an inexpensive place is more important and this place is ideal for them. But if you are advanced degree holder looking for a good career growth this is not the place for you. Career growth and promotions especially in the management depend upon open position. For every promotion you will have to apply for the position and compete with many individuals. So even if you perform at the highest level there is no guarantee that you will get promoted as there may not be open positions and even if there is one, 20-30 people may be vying for the same job. Many times the individual is chosen before all the interviews take place and then many people interview just so that hiring manager can complete the formality. This also leads a good point, being a large company the experience of FedEx largely depends on the Vice Presidents of the area. If you are stuck in a group with ineffective or politically motivated VP, then you are out of luck. I know of a VP who used to promote all his friends or well wishers or other reasons which are more speculations that known facts so not worth mentioning. Most of his promotion decisions bombed but it still goes on. He used to conduct interview even for regular promotions with no additional responsibility and give job to someone he likes and tell others that they didn’t interview well. At the same time I also know of VPs who always strived to do what is right.