I have two job offers that I am considering, and one is from IBM consulting services. Great company but with so many of the big firms laying off by the 10’s of thousands, it gives me pause to accept the IBM offer.
Any insights about job stability?
56 replies (most recent on top)
@bv
IBM pays cr-ppy salaries in India, it gets cr-ppy work and cr-ppy results.
Smart engineers in India leave IBM India. They cannot stand the poor ethics of IBM management.
I speak about personal situations dealing with good engineers in India. I have years of experience.
@Br. You are quasi correct. IBM hires folks in India on a like for like basis. (Do you think India a country with 1.2 billion doesn’t have smart folks?). The issue is those smart folks will work for approx 1/3 the price of NA or Northern European wages. Net net IBM pockets 2/3 rds of the saving which goes to the bottom line. As far as automation is concerned, it actually is in the eye of the hiring firm.
IBM infrastructure and SW divisions want innovative solutions for mainframe and enterprise engagements. That’s where they have put their focus and if you have innovative skills that feed that machine (redhat, hybrid cloud, chip design, or any of the newly acquired SW products) IBM wants you
IBM Consulting wants innovative solutions for a variety of engagements (ISV SW, mainframe HW, redhat, etc etc, but the majority of engagements revolve around automation and the elimination of labor. The elimination of labor feeds from the bottom up (eg repeatable tasks first then progressing to higher skill levels)
@bp, IBM automation means, replacing a US based employee with 6 Indians for the same task.
It is an IBM BOB feature.
@b3 lower pay if better benefits and stable (even half pay) likely would be better
I would say you have to look at what you are being hired to do. Is there any chance that the job going forward can be automated. If yes, I would pass as your long term prospects are dim. Please note that automation especially of repeatable jobs is running hot across every single consulting company in the world, and you will continue to see downsizing as automation continues to improve.
@OP, Don't let @bg fool you. @bg is a Indian HR Bot, who spend his time on this forum lying about the fictitious achievements of his master, the slimy Indian blood su-king parasite.
These day, the slimy Indian at the to of IBM uses buzzwords like AI, Quantum.
It is easy to convince yourself, the Indian is a sc-mbag, snake oil salesman, by reading is previous statements, during his tenure, about cloud, more cloud (a scam: called Hybrid cloud) and other failed initiatives.
IBM is still surviving because of it's legacy products, mainly, Z and P. Customers are slowly moving out.
So, do yourself a favor and look harder for a better job, away, away .... from IBM
I have been with IBM for almost a year and It is a great place to work. IBM is a prestigious company. Arvind is a visionary with focus on AI and Quantum computing. If you want to learn more about attaining new skills, there are thousands of hours of online education available.
@b6 the caste system is very STRONG at IBM and don’t let them tell you it’s not. The same guys telling its not are also guys at top of it…. Go
Figure what a coincidence
@b4 never forget that this company is Indian Business Machines. As such, only corrupt and incompetent Indians can expect good bonuses or raises, even in the US.
The rest of employees can go pound sand with Bob until the sun goes down or the PIP is waiting at your desk.
@OP
If you have no other choice, you IBM offer. Keep in mind, IBM is led by a slimy Indian blood su-king parasite.
No to get disappointed later.
You should only accept a job at IBM if you can't find a job of similar pay in a better company. Once you've accepted a job at IBM you shouldn't stop applying for other jobs at better companies. If you do end up at IBM and can't find another job at a better company (like me), then just assume you'll be made redundant soon, won't get a decent pay rise and the bonus will be poor and then you'll never be disappointed. Lots of IBMers get stressed about when they will be made redundant, but there's nothing you can do to prevent it so just relax, take the pay, put money aside each month (as the redundancy payments are embarrassing) and skill up for your next job. Good luck
If you have no other options it is a good name on your resume and a paycheck for some time. It’s become extra toxic with the new stacked ranking system where a minimum of one in six have to be ranked a low performer .
IBM in general is not safe to take but consulting is meltdown radioactive. Please take the other option.
@OP Alvind should change the name of IBM Consulting to Bob. It gives the brand some real name recognition.
Not to mention it's a great opening line when going to meet new clients - "I'm from Bob !" or even "Bob sent me".
IBM is a consulting dump and they say consulting is in a slump right now. IBM Consulting has nothing but partners with big, oversized egos who run to meetings every day and achieve even less than nothing at said meetings. But wow, are these bigwigs first in line at the trough when it comes to claiming bigger paychecks and bonuses? just like CEO Arvind. And, of course more RIFs coming down every quarter in the form of PIPS to save IBM severance money.
And then there are the Big Six Consulting firms, of which IBM Consulting does NOT even make the list.
If you want to find yourself back on the trail looking for another job in 6 months or less, try IBM Consulting. You might even love that experience.
@OP
I joined 5 years ago. IBM offer was lower compared to what I was making before but I joined.
The problem. The long tenure IBMer will earn less as the annual raise is low. The problem: my new manager thinks that I should not more calling it fair. Now I am on a personal improvement plan. May be in a month out.
Don't look at the offer Price. Count the friends you will need. I never look at my pay check. The issue. my manager looks at mine.