I read posts from so many people here who can't wait to leave IBM, but I wouldn't be so quick to actually act on that if I were them. I know of several people who have quit in the past three years and are now trying really hard to find their way back here.
I'm not saying this because I believe IBM is a great company, but because finding a job that will pay as much or at least close to it for people as young as forty is really, really hard.
Just a few words of advice from an old timer.
I left IBM a couple of years ago after many years working in software development. It's the best move I ever made. I'm so happy to be rid of these toxic scumbags ruining my life. I only have one regret from my working life, and that is not leaving IBM earlier - or ever going to work there at all. If I had my time again, I would throw their original job offer letter in the bin. So this is one person who has absolutely no regrets about leaving this terrible company.
A lot of posts are from people claiming victory in leaving on their own terms: good for them (and I mean it). But there is something to be said for 'hanging in there' if the circumstances warrant it. For example, I was in my mid 50's and sensed the third RA in my division would be coming my way this time around.
In the end I was right, but I had eked out about 4-5 years years of 'stable' employment before the RA. So it's a calculated risk. Do you jump ship and hope your skills are relevant, or do you pump as much money as you can into a pension/401k while it lasts? I suppose it partly comes down to pride. Leave when you want, or swallow the pride and game the system. I'm very happy in being able to last as long as I did, in full knowledge that it wouldn't last forever. I'm now semi-retired.
The old saying goes 'you can't predict the future but you can prepare for it'.
Whichever path you take, good luck.
I left IBM after 18 yrs on my own terms and landed a perfect job. Better base pay and comparable terms. What is much better in this organization is they really care about the people and practice that actively. Of course i have to work long days, and travel in own time, but I am happy to do as it is appreciated by my company. I worked with very bright, smart, funny people in IBM and enjoyed that every day. The point with IBM is that it has no heart anymore and by that it kills the motivation and loyalty of the lower banded individual: the worker bees. IBM thinks it can get away with this behavior but it is not. When people leave, continuity at customer side is at risk and IBM's reputation as well. Never understood what this is not alarming to IBM.
I know people who were RA'd in small town USA location's over the last few years yet refuse to move to a town with a better job market. They sit around complaining instead.
IBM is no longer relevant in the IT Industry. IBM is toxic. I know over 2 dozen people that are awesome that have left IBM and/or been RAed and have ALL found jobs at the same or higher pay outside IBM and are MUCH happier and more appreciated. I left last year on my own terms and timeline, I am paid better and appreciated more outside IBM. And, I now have clients where my company is respected and relevant. For 90% of my 30yrs at IBM I loved it. Within the last 5yrs-ish IBM has become majority irrelevant across almost all industries, not respected, the internal IBM culture is TOXIC and my skills and career were not sustainable. It is somewhere between a no-brainer and a compelling case for a healthier life to leave IBM. IBM is TOXIC and NOT Strategic. It has gone from an iconic company with a soul and a great culture with great product line(s) that were to a majority degree in the Gartner Magic Quadrant... to almost the complete opposite of what it used to be. From Greatness to a Great tragedy. It's simply and overwhelmingly sad, stressful and demoralizing to work there, and I loved it for decades. It's just NOT HEALTHY, personally or professionally, to work at IBM anymore. Period. (Disclaimer: If your experience is counter to what I have described above, I am happy for you, but based on my network of >500 IBMers worldwide and across North America, if you are happy at IBM, you are in the minority in a BIG WAY)
It is not a fair comparison between "stay at IBM" and "decide to leave IBM" if you think the RA hatchet is coming for you.
OP, that sounds pretty depressing to me. Sounds like you've given up and don't value your worth. You just have to get out there and make the effort to find another job. If you are in your 40s, thats a great time to look outside. Don't leave it until you're in your late 50s because unless you have very specialist skills, it will become harder for sure.
I left IBM in 2014 with no regrets. Today I have a renewed sense of self-worth working for an organization that's growing. I think that’s key; a growing organization … growing and supporting their own solutions. Leaving IBM to turn around and come back to me is a horrible thought; considering the toxic environment that exists within.
If you step outside of the box, IBM from its early days, was everything for everybody in IT. That was primarily your only choice. Today there are many IT options a Company can choose from and most will choose what’s best for them at that particular time. IBM is not their only choice and hasn’t been for some time.
I believe IBM’s turning point from their heydays occurred when they stopped developing their own solutions (mainframe aside), sold their PC business (thus abandoning the Consumer Market) and went on a 15-20-year buying spree acquiring IT solutions from a variety of other Companies. Ask yourself “what software have they actually developed on their own recently” … and don’t say Watson because that solution stack was developed using acquired Cognos, SPSS, etc. products.
These IBM acquired Company solutions initially came with “great people” who knew their products and prided themselves improving them and making them great. IBM has never encapsulated the “spark” from these acquired Companies once they owned them. They never took the time to capture their greatness and make it work for them. Recently, as we all know, they acquired Red Hat AND they say they will treat Red Hat as “Switzerland”. We’ll see. History tells me otherwise.
So, in conclusion, for those of you still at IBM, take the necessary steps and be “renewed”. For those of you thinking on hiring back in … think again. For all of you, my recommendation is to seek out organizations that can use your talents. Don’t sell yourself short. Obtain the proper work-life balance. You deserve it.
A statement like "I know of several people" from one person (even if it's true) does not constitute a majority. Look at the huge numbers of people who post here and on other forums about the sense of relief having escaped and invariably, their delight at how valued they feel in their new roles. Of course, some would put these claims down to "sour grapes" but the anecdotal evidence is overwhelming and the naysayers more likely IBMers with "escape envy" who are unable or unwilling to leave of their own accord. Let's also remember that work is more than just a salary; no money in the world is worth lying awake at night with anxiety about the next round of layoffs and how you'll support your family if your PBC spreadsheet score is below par. Finally, let's also dispel the myth that IBM pay is above average. Whilst it may be good for the privileged few, it certainly isn't the case for the majority. I earned a good salary at IBM but only because I transferred-in from another organisation with protected rights and benefits (UK). The "heritage IBM" peers I worked alongside were paid significantly less by comparison.
Everyone that I know that has left IBM landed in a better job with comparable pay. The real difference is that they don't have to put up with the daily tirades and backstabbing that goes on in a toxic environment like IBM. PS another RA is coming soon to an IBM office near you.
Maybe it’s because they couldn’t cut it in the real world because their skills are so atrophied from working on dead end tech?
I cannot believe that anyone working there with current competitive skills makes more than they could elsewhere.
I can honestly say I know dozens of people that have left IBM in the last 2-3 years and I am not aware of any of them a) regretting their decision or b) returning to IBM. Admittedly these are mainly all GTS but ....