70K in California

[Kalyan Anand]

7 years experience and 70K package. Is it worthy in California ?

[Sandeep Awasthi]

what about medical,dental etc insurance? Anyway California is too costly. Someone staying there can tell you more.

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

California is a big state. The cost of living varies extensively. What city in California are you asking about?

[Kalyan Anand]

It is Santa Clara. I have to check on the insurance part. In the initial talks they said offer paid vacation, health insurance and 401K plan.

[Henry Wong]

It is Santa Clara.

Santa Clara is in the heart of Silicon Valley. Or slightly south of it. In terms of cost of living, it's probably near the top of the list for California.

Henry

[Mark Herschberg]

That sounds low to me but not outrageous. It really depends on what was done those prior 7 years, what skills you bring to the table, the level of the role, and of course how much value that role adds to the company.

--Mark

[Mark Spritzler]

Yeah, I'd say that is a good 20K too low. But it is a bad economy.

Mark

[Sandeep Awasthi]

Two years back I was in similar confusion. That time I asked same thing. You can read this link

[Jimmy Clark]

Sounds like an offer to someone with poor communication skills and/or limited software experience. Out of curiosity, what industry might this position be in?

[Kalyan Anand]

Rajesh Thakare
did you opt for the h1 or you denied it ?

James
This are the kinds of offers the h1 consultants make. They hardly bother about your experience and skills.

The industry or the client is not known. Once the candidates go to US they will get to know the work, technologies and client

[Sandeep Awasthi]

No I did not.

I had around 12 offers for H1B. Maximum I got was 68K that time. But I did not go because I did not find worth to go. I asked many friends and found that there is only marginal difference in saving which I do here and savings I could do if I go on H1B.

James :

They pay very low does not matter if you have skills. Two years back when I was interested for this but I found that these companies pay very low. They do not even conduct proper interviews of candidates, how will they know if candidates have good skills? Out of 12 interviews I attended, only 2 companies asked me technical questions out of those 2, only one conducted proper selection process like online technical test and 40 minutes face to face interview. Rest 10 just asked me my experience and if I know Struts,Spring,Hibernate,EJB,Weblogic,JBOSS,Websphere,Unix ........... 5 minutes on phone, thats all.

[arulk pillai]

Rajesh,

-- even if you don't get a finanacial advanatage, did you consider the other non-financial benefits that can be useful for your future career prospects.

-- Will overseas experience looked favourably?

-- would there be opportunities or more doors opening for you once you are there in U.S by impressing the prospective employer(s).


I don't know anything about the H1B. I am sure that you may have considered all the above.

[Sandeep Awasthi]

I agree overseas experience adds value to your profile. But I have little on site experience in Europe. But yes overseas experience adds value.
But here in India, you can get chance very easily to work under big brand names. And you can also go get on site chances. If you have plan to stay longer in US, then I feel going with H1B consultants is ok if bond is <= 18 months.

[Marcel Wentink]

It's more than what you will get in Europe anyway, although may-be the cost of living will be lower there too.