I got offered a job from a startup. The pay is in the same range as my current pay at IBM and the job description fits me perfectly. I know I would enjoy it more than I do my current one.
However, it's a startup. I'm trying to figure out what has less job security: IBM or a fresh startup.
Is it worth the risk? Anybody has any experiences with startups they could share?
I was talking to a consultant who works with execs from many companies but not IBM. I explained how we are treated at IBM - only the truth, only what I have seen with my own eyes - and he refused to believe it. He said he has never seen a company do anything like what I described. So thank you, "Sound Advice", but go back and tell Ginni she needs more than propaganda. Her employees will never treat IBM any better than IBM treats them. Are we disgruntled? Of course. We are also disgusted, furious, fed up, and mostly looking for new jobs ahead of the RA axe.
@"Sound advice" (I presume that name is meant to be ironic):
It will be interesting to see if you're still quite so gushing about IBM when your manager confronts you suddenly with some tenuous evidence to support a contrived "performance issue" then unceremoniously RAs you with minimal notice and a pittance redundancy. Sure, many people commenting here are disgruntled employees but they've a right to be given the ethical lines IBM has smashed through (and frankly, taken a dump on) in recent years, whilst the execs pursue their incoherent, short-term strategies and reward themselves as if the company were booming. Your time will come!
@3dva same here - joined the startup that went belly up (back in 2010) - it was so easy to see that things were not going good well ahead of time.
Well I left IBM after many decades to join a startup. It was nice to rediscover things like pay rises and respect not to mention flexibility to work at home when it suits. I also figured it would easier to spot any possible need to start job hunting again with plenty of warning rather than getting whacked with a Resource Action out of nowhere.
Former Lotus/IBMer here.....was laid off in 2010....been in IT for 39 years!!!! Have had two jobs since then... I just found my best job working for a BANK.....Very stable... No High Tech companies or Retail for me....but who cares... I can retire next year if I need too. Hope all you younger people out there can find stability in a job....But the GREED in corporate America is beyond belief...and part in thanks to the d---o's at Wall St...
"There are many people happy working at IBM,"
I don't believe that. Every single IBM employee has had friends and colleagues laid off without regard to their value to the company. Every single IBM employee knows more layoffs will happen and they might be next. I believe some people enjoy the specific work they do, but no one is happy about working for a company whose only clear mission is to get rid of them.
Go do it. It may turn out great. It may blow up. Opportunity to be part of something on the ground floor is rare. But the energy is great. There is no better opportunity.
I agree, there are several people happy to be working for IBM. (working from home that is)
You cannot say that about most of the workers stuck in those IBM innovation centers.
That's where all those disgruntled employees are hanging out all day. Most have been trapped in dead end jobs for years with constant threats of layoffs each qtr and raises have been non existent.
Does that sound promising to you? Didn't think so.
Follow your gut and don't listen to some IBM manager posting here trying to talk up IBM like its such an enriching experience working there. It's OK for a kid starting out if they don't give a crap about earning decent money and don't mind working with outdated technology.
If IBM was so great and had such a bright future this website would cease to exist.
lil boy blue out
IBM's losing headcount, think about it.
Go to IBM, get some experience working with a large team. IBM is still valuable experience, don't listen to the guy above who says it is "detrimental." There are many people happy working at IBM, and you'll get valuable experience working with top notch technologies and access to tons of resources. Build your contacts. You should go to a somebody rather than a nobody. The startup option will always be there, chances to work in large companies like IBM come only once every few years. Please note, the others talking here are disgruntled employees.
The only way to succeed is by failing << said Ray Krock and Sam Walton just to name a couple.
Both were not truly successful until after the age of 50 so don't be in any rush.
All fails before that and they kept on going all in with the next venture.
It will be a major learning experience which is priceless in itself.
I say go for it. And it would be awesome if you could keep your FT gig while you jump into startup.
There is no job security anywhere. Startups are always risky because at least 80% of them fail, so choose your poison.
I would say do it if it makes you happy with just this one caveat. The caveat is can you afford to be without a pay check. I have worked for 3 start ups now, and all three were very very fun, but they all were very cash poor. When cash flow became an issue, we usually voted to take a pay cut or actually went without to make it thru the tough times. I know this sounds crazy, but that’s usually how start ups go. You either have a godfather/angel investor, who can fund you, or you do without until you make another sale
Do it if you can. Even if the startup fails, you will have a better resume than "lifetime IBMer" when you apply for whatever's next.
Key questions:
do you believe in the product? is it something that you think serves a real purpose and that has a credible path to monetization?
are the founders any good? Do they have good ethical values? Do they have a track record?
can you afford for it to fail? I did a couple of startups / early stage companies when I was young and single. I couldn't take the same risk now that I'm married with a mortgage and a kid in school.
Depending on how long you have been at IBM, it is good to get additional experience on your resume. IBM on resume these days in my view can be a detriment. Pay sounds reasonable from your post and future at IBM medioce at best if you can manage not to be RAd
Do it. If you don't, you'll spend the rest of your life wondering "what if........." IBM is dying and will at best, shrink significantly so you'll be discarded sooner or later. Hence, better to leave on your own terms with you in control and calling the shots. There is nothing worse than trying to find work while you're unemployed. Good luck either way... you sound like a smart person.
I would say go for it as long as the startup has nothing to do with technology sector.
Obviously that market was killed by the far east so there is NO REAL money to be made.
First, think about all the risks you are facing here at IBM. Every single of us is on the chopping block – the axe can fall any time and you really have no place to hide here. The company is shrinking rapidly and the coffers are being pillaged and mismanaged by the inept CEO + C-Lineup and the board. It’s likely you work long hours and your career upside is constrained by an outdated IBM career schema that favors cronyism and flawed stacked ranking jockeying.
Picking the right startup can be risky too – I’d look at the capabilities of the executive lineup, track record and who’s backing the endeavor with hard cash. If you like what you see, if you’ll be led by a crew that you believe in and if the money guys are solid, you can assume the due diligence was done and the startup has a good shot at being successful.
There will be some risks in no matter what you do, it’s up to you to gauge what path looks more reasonable to you.
If it is a growing startup with customers and an increasing revenue stream you have nothing but upside if you do a good job. If it is struggling to get a product to market, or is facing massive competition, you might want to think twice. I have done three startups as well as IBM, and the startups have been much more fun. All of them had a shared sense of adventure and a common goal. You absolutely cannot hide out and coast. You have to produce. So, it depends on the startup, the base comp, equity and the potential for an IPO (You will likely not make much unless you are very early and the IPO is huge). Risk of layoff at IBM? Likely High. Risk of startup failure? Depends.... One of mine failed, the 2nd is still in business, and the 3rd is cranking. Good luck.
Title or promotion in a start up is a different ball game. Someone can promoted from an entry level engineer to director within five years in a start up (if u manage to have three successful projects). Such a thing would never happen in big company like IBM. Look at the money and see if they are paying a significant raise compared to your old job. Also take stock option and bonus into account when comparing the raise. Start up are likely to have no or low bonus notion year on year, it's all about the equity and the vesting schedule - if you feel they'll be successful and that the equity given will turn into hard cash at some point, you've gotten yourself a winner ...