Just curious. For me, it’s because I need a year or two more experience before the better tech companies will give me a chance.
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Because my second line is hot and I’m trying to get him to go out for drinks with me.
Band 9 Software engineer
RTP Area (NC)
160K
Paltry raise pool is enough to give ONE PERSON ~3% so boss does that and nobody else gets jack (half a decade+)
Bonus pool is only for 1+++ ratings and is cr---y
401K is gamed wrt even contributions and end of year matching (to match/pay less)
Stock plan is more restrictive than any - and why bother?
GYM is PAID except for one facility (that requires physical desking)
Just zero competitive with CISCO, NTAP, NVIDIA, MSFT, you name it.
For those of you "not marketable" - look at IBM postings, Glass Door, Indeed, and see what all the postings want - in particular the ones you're interested in and/or the ones where your job evolved to.
Then study/catch up. When laid off/switched, I had specialized (but somewhat rare) skills, but ... the world to some extent had moved on .... and I'd missed it. So I was busier than I'd ever been researching the new jobs, requirements, and training on them. So when I interviewed - the areas that'd progressed farther I could speak to them and, indeed, had played with some on my own time (initiative).
So if "not marketable skills" means "nothing" then research, make your picks, and train. If it's just that area has moved on faster than you - then catch up on your own time.
Key thing is make the transition YOURS not IBM's (or any other companies).
Personally - I have very nichy - but fairly rare - skills. So I'm torn between 3 more years to retirement (and hating every day) or a new job for 3 years. Probably I should go for new job for 3 years and be happy about work and challenges.
But not even COLA for half a decade of high performance and no bonuses - dang - hard not to consider retire-in-place. don't want to. they I'm sure don't want me to. But, darn, no incentives whatsoever.
"Retirement In Place" is not my thing - but hard to avoid. Couple years to go. No raises in more than half a decade (pool so small manager gives it to ONE person). Not even COLA. Bonuses only to rating 1+++ ; Not competitive with any in-area company.
You know, I've worked at MANY companies, and yes, there are lean years of low/no raises, but not for 6 years - not even COLA.
If you work for them - remember it's all about YOUR TEAM and nothing else. I helped out on a couple very high profile engagements - but since "not much came back to the team" I got nothing - even though it greatly helped IBM. (Issue was beyond my control for "my team", but I traveled and gave much for the project "hoping to get something for the team"). In the end. Nuked for "nothing for the team"
Thing is even the buildings are decrepid. Sure they "tiny desk'd" everything during COVID and that is new (but sea of zero privacy desks) but the parking lots full of weeds, bike racks, doors (esp back), lacking paint or working well, "embarrased to take a customer much less a colleage there".
They've far gone from investing in employees. So: stepping stone? Perhaps. Career? Heck even a COOLAIDE drinker friend of mine was sacked twice in one year - total IBM coolade drinker and aspirations. Came from levels up "we need one less xyz in RTP". Bang.
I plan to retire next year and have a great manager/team. I have limited overtime the last 5 years or so. I do not want the next level promotion and have turned it down.....just let me hang out here and get my current job done until it is time to retire. I told my manager to submit my name if an RA came up that would effect my department but that does not look like it is going to happen because SYSTEMS is one division where lots of people are retiring and very few back fills are available to replace them.
To grow old and retire...
@3pcn+1bZ9JJr3 Don’t give up. Interviews are subjective because the people interviewing carry their own bias. Most of the time it has nothing to do with experience or skills. You almost have to think about it as a dating game. Give that person a reason to like you.
@3pcn+1bZ9JJr3 That is a totally correctable issue. Just show some initiative by doing some training and update your CV accordingly.
It's not for a lack of trying. I have been interviewed by competitors but never offered a job. I know the competition pays more, has better product (storage), better strategy and better market share. I am a great performer. I don't know whether it's me personally, or the fact that I've been with IBM for too many (17+) years), and they don't see me as relevant. But I know the industry well.
No better choices that have 100% WFH for my skill set.
The problem with ibm’s salary is the lack of stocks and bonuses. I got $40K retention bonus a few years ago. It was supposed to vest $20k after 2 years and another $20k after 4 years. By the time my first $20K vested, it was worth $16k because the price of the stock was down.
Back in 2015, Amazon’s stock was around $400. Now, it’s around $3700. If I had worked at Amazon, I’d have hundreds of thousands in the bank.
I can't find another job that's as laid back and that I won't have to work 200 hours a week
I work 25-30 hour weeks and stay for family.
Once my wife is in better shape to help out or work then I can probably make a move.
It sucks but life is more than work. Thankfully I am being paid market rate in my area where I live (not where I work).
No GDP, Stock, Bonus is the main issue at IBM. I was on a squad that launched a new offering service on IBM Cloud under tight deadline and got $1,000 for a. job well done. Any FAANG like company would have given me a 15-25% bonus.
So many people keep on saying IBM is not paying market price... that may be the case... When you post such claims, please provide your info:
Location
Band level
Job description
IBM Salary
Salary range you are looking at outside of IBM
I will start, US South East (big city), Band 9, IT Architect, 178K.
My real issue with IBM is that variable pay over the years has become ZERO (Bonus + GDP).
Recent immigration sponsorship. It’s getting difficult to keep recruiters at bay. I get unsolicited offers on a weekly basis for 50% more pay. IBM has no clue what the industry pays. Once I find a company that’s the right fit I’ll move on. I feel no attachment to this place because I see no growth potential and I’m not inspired by leadership.
Family obligations is keeping me at IBM. Hoping to start interview prep during paternity leave Q1 next year. Probably won't be able to start looking until end of 2022 as part of my agreement with the wife. Almost left during COVID but they gave me a promotion - first one in my career so I guess it was good for the resume.
retirement is within a year
Post ID: @1azg+1 bZ9JJr3
My skills are not marketable. [...]Now that I weathered COVID and job market is heating up, I am looking, like everyone else.
How are you overcoming not to have marketable skill to look for another job??
because I only have another year to retirement from this train wreck and I could careless what happens or what they do...just marking time
Because I actually get treated well. And looking at levels and glassdoor, pay is comparable.
My skills are not marketable. No reputable company will offer me a good job. Very few offers I get are half of current pay. On the other hand, ibm is a work from home job. Work life balance is great. Even Fridays are usually part of the weekend. Competition is thin since good people leave quickly and outside hires are of marginal talents. Now that I weathered COVID and job market is heating up, I am looking, like everyone else.
Re: "I'd like to watch this show from the inside." I had a colleague (who was a Vietnam Vet in the Marine Corps, and retired from IBM years ago) that used to say: "If they didn't pay us, you'd still pay at the door to get in and see this circus." That was a long time ago ... and the blind stupidity, arrogance, and clown-like management has only gotten much worse in the intervening years.
Don’t have a reason to recommend anyone to join or stay in ibm
WFH is the only reason.
Work from home. The day it ends is the last day of my IBM employment.
Recently, mostly for a (kinda morbid) curiosity.
I'd like to watch this show from the inside.
And also for the freedom it gives me. I am here long enough to have learned to say and do whatever I wish - and even getting praised and payed for that.
Professional growth - yes I know it's not happening here, but because of my family obligations I would not be able/willing to pursue any career aggressively anyway.
My story is probably an outlier, but IBM's offered me twice (rehire) way above market value for my area. I feel bad for my colleagues and would leave if I were them too if they weren't happy with their job. I've watched Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, and others for years and my case is not the norm, it seems though I hope it becomes so. Just keep in mind it "does" happen for some.