Which software house should I go to?

At the Annual Dinner 2008 (of FAST-NUCES), couple of students from the graduating batch asked me this question due to which I thought to drop a post on my blog. Well, there are certain factors to be considered. Once you are through all screening process, now is the time to take the right step! You might have few options to select from but do not just make random selections because switching job isn’t easy either. If career really matters to you, do give following points a little thought that I am sharing as per my experience:

• Target organizations that have a good reputation in the market
• Always clear up all policies during your package discussion (*appraisals, leave, overtime etc.)
• If it’s your first job and you have no experience, demand what is being offered in other organizations, a high demand might make you lose the opportunity
• Make sure you get a proper/official job-offer before you may join because many organizations might say ABC in the interview and will offer you XYZ in the offer (especially in case of startups, because they might try to impress you with their dreams!)
• In case you are targeting corporate sector, do query about the IT hierarchy because that will affect your growth
• Office location and timings matter a lot, especially as per the recent incidents of our city
• Even if you are not serious about job (e.g. if you plan to go for masters, or in case you are a girl), do not under estimate yourself and demand what others are getting because you will be providing your service 9-6!
• Always take suggestions from your seniors and ex-employees of the organizations because they will really give you a different view
• Try to avoid the pressure from the internal employees because sometimes friends working in the organizations might have an effect on your decision
• Remember: Buyer will always look for a cheap service and Seller will demand a better deal, so try to negotiate for your salary package

One more thing I would like to share before I wrap up this post, do remember each and every word that is being said during the offer because tomorrow if you find any twist in the package, you know what to do – say Goodbye to the fellows because when they cannot keep a word about what they just said, its useless to work for/with them!

That’s all I had to share. Feel free to drop your comments or add up any suggestions.

Happy hunting!

*Knowing your appraisals is important because there are many organizations which do performance based appraisal where as other appraise you on a specified %