Thread regarding IBM layoffs

@1rdr: As an addendum to b), a lot of people are still operating under the illusion that having IBM on their résumé has cachet to it when it very clearly does not.

always open to explore outside roles while still being employed, too many ibm folks are too comfortable for too long in the same roles.

The environment in most of IBM has been poor for so long, that when I used to interview IBMers I couldn't help but think 'Why are you still there (or only just left)?'. I would speculate:

a) You're were in a great role that was fairly rewarded.
b) You had non-work related reasons to stay.
c) You weren't very good or didn't care.
d) You prospered in the IBM environment that's been well documented here.

If it was c) or d) I didn't want you. If it was b) I needed to know those reasons wouldn't impact us. If was a), great; but, you've got to convince me it exists and you're not a closet b) to d)'er.

Disclosure, as an exIBMer, I was a b) for years.

Ex IBMer working for FAANG here and I have a few ex IBMers on my team. What @phr+17XoG89c experienced is exactly what we do when screening candidates. Our teammates from WITCH firms do the same with candidates from their prior employers. Our management is very aware. Unfortunately most IBMers are not well prepared for interviews and we end up rejecting a lot or significantly downleveling them when passing through. I’ve only passed a few IBMers out of at least 50 I’ve interviewed in the past year and all but 1 were downleveled. Sorry but that’s the facts. Wake up bluebirds.

@osd+17XoG89c ya nepotism is rampant at ibm but those people aren't looking to get out of here coz they can thrive here without doing any real work.

It's hardworking ibmers who are tired of doing all the work and looking outside coz of no monetary rewards and fear of layoffs.

Ibm doesn't layoff those with connections either, go figure

What don't you get?

The nepotism run amok at IBM is well known by hiring managers and recruiters.
Family members are placed into roles they have experience in all the time.
At IBM if that person has problems doing the job, they get promoted to an easier role.
(other companies fire you when you misrepresent yourself)

Hi @xhc+17XoG89 and all others who want to hear this.

If you're a developer just need to add python and some cloud (kubernetees) exp on your resume apart from a language like c++.

If you know ANY programming language, python is the easiest thing I've written.

I get reached out by recruiters - sure haven't been able to crack it but it's all coding puzzles in the interview these days.

Be happy u are getting interviews. My resume gets used as toilet paper as soon as they see IBM on it!

Wow if you already have bias against fellow ibmers then i wish you never be in a position to interview someone @phr+17XoG89c

Most technical people i have seen at ibm are sound engineers, it's just that they have given up because no matter how hard they work they get peanuts in salary and no raises. The managers are all lazy and incompetent sure.

@phr - that is really not fair for you to tell this person to prep better next time. How do you know they did not and the person on the interview committee really did hate all things IBM. I do not either but I will take this person's word for what they experienced because they were there.

Similar situation happened to me twice recently but different outcome. Both had been RAed and scrutinized my skills excessively, but I got a pass from both. I felt the scrutiny was entirely fair as there are a lot of people in IBM who lie about their skills. When I leave, I will apply the same rigor to any IBMer I would interview. Maybe prep better next time.

Most people leave IBM to find jobs with some upward mobility vs being RAd.