So, market rumours that HP might buy EDS.What do my colleagues on this forum think might be the fallout from this?Thanks.

it's a done dealthe knives are sharpening

The deal has gone through, see EDS's website.

How will this affect my graduate job starting in July?

You'll be fine. If anything, I imagine it will open up better opportunities for you within EDS.

how do you think it will affect those about to interview for grad roles? will they continue their recruitment campaign as planned?

I imagine there will be all sorts of changes going on, but I don't think they'll be reducing their recruitment activity as a result of this. That's just my personal view.

how do you think it will affect those about to interview for grad roles? will they continue their recruitment campaign as planned?

It will take a while to achieve 'synergy' between the two companies as such things do not happen over night. There is still high demand for grads within EDS UK and there is little overlap between HP and EDS.It should open up more opportunities for those joining now, at the sharp end, it is the 'overheads' that will be feeling more concerned.

I just had an email saying jobs are safe.

I just had an email saying jobs are safe.

There will be some blood on the floor but overall this is a good deal for EDS people. I joined last year and observed a remote and reactionary management team and a whole forest of dead wood, very little performance management and low morale. HP are better managed and the takeover will (eventually) give us the opportunity to duke it out with IBM.Lots of opportunities for internal focus and confusion though. My advice is do good work and keep your eyes and ears open - also listen to the crusty whingers and then make up your own mind.

I'd play it safe and start looking around for other opportunities. EDS have a history of withdrawing graduate intake if the conditions don't suit them. I'm not trying to panic you and the chances are you'll be fine but I know that they've withdrawn intake quite often in the past. Letter or no letter things can and will change quite quickly especially with a buy-out.

Just last week I had an "informal discussion" with one of the EDS teams to start a graduate job "soon". I expected to get further details of start date, salary, etc, and a firm offer letter but now I'm worrying they'll use the HP thing as an excuse. I'm not sure if I should call the graduate team for reassurance or if this would be seen as pestering.

Think about it.If a project has a definate requirement for a resource, the resource has been identified, a contract offered for that resource then why would they withdraw? Unless the requirement for you no longer existed (better resource found, project dies or whatever).Now, why would a proposed purchase (which has not yet taken place!) affect operational requirements? In the long term some redundancies may occur, but that is not likely at the coalface unless projects merge staff.Only way this would happen is if there was a total recruitment freeze based on the takeover, which would be rather mental - although other reasons for this could come around.Of course if you need reassurance or your hand holding then call recruitment ;)

Because EDS have a vast resource pool and if they want to put a squeeze on recruitment they can at the drop of a hat with no impact to their pipeline. When 2 companies merge there's always blood on the floor and grad recruitment sits right at the back of the priority list.