Onsite contarct...

[Manish Hatwalne]

I am being considered for onsite contract. I have cleared technical tests/interviews with the headhunter and the client. There is still one more round to go with the Project Manager level person that would have some technical and personal stuff. Though client hasn't yet shown any positive signs, my consultant/headhunter is more than confident that I'd be selected; and he wants me to confirm that I'd accept the offer if they select me.

However, I have few concerns. The duration of this onsite assignment would be 3 months, which *might* extend up to 6 months. After 3 or 6 moths there is no guarantee. The payment is almost double my current pay with free lunch. So even after additional food/accommodation expenses abroad, I should be getting 50-60% hike. If contract gets renewed after 3 months, the payment would be even more. So it is reasonably lucrative opportunity, but it's quite insecure as well.

In my current job (which is less than a year old), I have managed to establish myself with my performance. My work is OK, but the way we approach and do our work is excellent; besides my boss is brilliant and I have learnt quite a lot technically while working with him. In other words, I enjoy what I am doing, though it is mostly core Java, lots of DB and middle tier (but no EJB). Payment also is good by Indian standards, though it is not top of the line. But I have no idea how well this company is doing; I tried asking the owner, but couldn't get a proper answer. So in a way, I don't know if I'd have job in this company after a year or not.

The onsite work would be typical J2EE work (which is a plus), but I don't know what I'd be doing after 3 or 6 months. Should I go for this high paying but highly unstable job or should I stick to my job here?

Money is important for me at this stage because I want to purchase a house, and onsite opportunity is more than welcome. But I don't know if I can get a job once I am back after 3 months or 6 months. Besides that would mean too many job-hopping in this period as well.

What do you guys say?

TIA,
- Manish
[ July 28, 2004: Message edited by: Manish Kumar ]

[Varun Khanna]

Originally posted by Manish Hatwalne:

What do you guys say?

You are leaving your current job/country just for 3-6 months of contract work in some other country?

Before asking anyone, I believe you should ask yourself about this step

[Manish Hatwalne]

Originally posted by K Varun:


You are leaving your current job/country just for 3-6 months of contract work in some other country?

Before asking anyone, I believe you should ask yourself about this step

My reasons for *considering* this idea are -
(1) My current job is not exactly stable, as I mentioned.
(2) Though work on its own is satifying in my current Job, it's not typical J2EE stuff, which seems to be more in demand among all Java technologies.
(3) I hope to find some other job after 3/6 months. One remote possibility is that if the client likes my work (so far whatever I have achieved has been based on my performance *after* I joined the company), it might turn into a proper employment.

Lastly, I do love my family and home; but I still need to go out in the morning to my workpalce and have to stay there for 8-10 hrs at least. What's more, I might even have to leave my city and shift to Banglore in search of better opportunities. Who knows???

But yes, the short duration is a big concern for me as well. Had it been 1 year + contract, I wouldn't have hesitated.


- Manish

[Kj Reddy]

- I feel better not to opt onsite opportunity. Its a risky and most unsecured. I feel its very difficult to proof youself in 3 months.

- Yes I agree every one needs money, so there are lot options in India itself. Why dont you try one of them.

- I feel you better to try better alternative to achieve your goals.

Good Luck

[Varun Khanna]

Originally posted by Manish Kumar:

My reasons for *considering* this idea are ...........
- Manish

In decisions like this, asking others for opinion can't help you much as 90+ out of 100 will suggest you to go otherwise. It can only confuse you more. Taking decision is not a tough task , but proving it right is "the real task".

if you think you should go then YOU SHOULD GO

[Manish Hatwalne]

3 months will be more than sufficient to prove myself, the prototype is supposed to be ready by then. 6 months is if they decide to start with initail development.

Hovever, I am also leaning towards "NO" for this offer. My "middle-class" mentality says so called security is better than high paying risk, and a potential opportunity.

I can't think of earning that sort of money in India by working as a software professional. There are lot of options in India as well, but none will pay me *significantly* more than what I am already drawing. What else can be done to get more money legally, without MLM? The other option is to join another Indian company which can send you onsite, I am trying this option; but there's already a big waiting list of existing emmployees desperate to fly abroad.

I never thought I would ever get desperate to fly abroad, but this dream called home has changed my idea about lot of things including the illusion that I'm earning good money.

- Manish

[Kj Reddy]

As Varun said diffent people have different opinions which confuses you a lot. If you are confident enough on your skills and caliber, just go ahead.

If your contact is extended to 6 months or more it will be very good. Even if doesnt work that way also nothing to worry. If the contact is over by 3 months, if you are technically strong its not much difficult and doesnt take much time to get another good job in India. So take a decision which fits to your situation.

Good Luck
~ Jagdish

[Arjun Shastry]

{
The onsite work would be typical J2EE work (which is a plus), but I don't know what I'd be doing after 3 or 6 months. Should I go for this high paying but highly unstable job or should I stick to my job here?

Money is important for me at this stage because I want to purchase a house, and onsite opportunity is more than welcome. But I don't know if I can get a job once I am back after 3 months or 6 months. Besides that would mean too many job-hopping in this period as well.

What do you guys say?
}
Just go for it.Now its a right time to do whatever you want to.AFter 3 or 6 months situation in IT is not going to change significantly than today.Has situation drastically changed in last 3/6 months? No.So it won't change in future too.As you said that onsite job is high paying.After starting you new job,in 1 month you will get an idea whether contract is going to extend or not.Depending on that you can search here for new job.In worst situation you might have to relocate from Pune to somewhere else.
Is it Cyprus again?

[Manish Hatwalne]

Nah, that's not Cyprus. It's a company based in Singapore.
My real concern is that I might have to come back and work for lesser salary than what I am drawing right now in India. So in that case, whatever extra money I earn in these 3/6 months will be useless.

- Manish

[Clint Felix]

Well it all depends on you
ye of course money is important
I just rejected an offer with Siemens since i hadto go onsite for 3 years
Its not always about going onsite and making money .
Its more important to be happy and enjoy your work
Don't take work too seriously :-)
[ July 29, 2004: Message edited by: Clint John ]

[Mike Schumacher]

I appreciate this alternate thread of talk but it doesnt really answer my question(s)
1) How are software pros (from India) treated in Amdocs
2) What is the reputation worldwide of Amdocs?
Should I take this leap into the relative unknown???

[Mark Herschberg]

Mike, did you mean to post in this thread? It looks a bit off topic here.

--Mark

[Mark Herschberg]

My $.02...

First $.01
As others noted, only you know your true risk/reward threshold, we can only help you see the picture.

Second $.01
I don't know Indian companies. In the US, unless it was a very risky startup, I'd say stick with the sure thing. The expected income stream seems better (again, you can probably make a better evaluation than we can). Also ask yourself, what's going to help your career more. Again, I don't know the Indian job market, but you need to consider which will make better job connections, skill set, look better on the resume (including duration of employment). My gut says the first job is better.

Good luck.

--Mark

[Manish Hatwalne]

Well, I did talk to the consultant and requested him to ask client about the contract and other things. But the client prefers not to commit anything beyond 3 moths, so I have decided to not to take up the offer. Let's hope I'll have better prospectus in my current job, at least work seems to be gettting more interesting!

I wish I could get clearer picture of the future plans of my current company and my role in the same.

- Manish

[Rahul Juneja]

Manish,

How much experience do you have in total. Can you let me know the name and contact of such consultants as I am also looking forward for some onsite opportunity. I have an experience of around 2.5 years. in Java/J2EE realted technologies and presenytly working with Patni Computers, but the project is not that satisfying and challenging.

Thanks,
Rahul Juneja

[email protected]

[Amee Dabo]

Manish,
I have already faced many problems in my career as I am also from middle class mentality where we give importance to security more than money/opportunity..but you should not repeat the mistakes so I feel you should go onsite.There are so many requirements in market for Java..& I am sure you will be able to get a decent job after 3 months if contract ends.& Risk is the another name of Life..dont you think so?
Regards,
Ameeta

[Praful Thakare]

I Agree to Amita ,

I guess you should go for it.As you said u will be getting almost double of your current salary
then in 3 months you will earn same as what you will earn in 6 months in current job.
So say in worst case you come back in 3 months,you will still be in same position for next 3 months,and I thing in such a hot market you will get job in less then 1 month ,and ofcouse Onsite exp will add to your resume.
had i been at ur place would have definatly taken this chance.

if you are confortable,kinldy let me know the details of the consultant my mail id is [email protected]

Cheers !!