Working at IBM in Austin, TX: 91 Employee Job Reviews by Real Employee working in Austin, TX Area

"The truth about wanting to change job roles (too political!)."

What do you like about working at IBM?

"Depending on your job role, I like the flexibility to work from home."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Make sure you get the EXACT job that you want before accepting the job, because once you get in there, they are going to pin you to that job unless you threaten to leave. Moving around to different roles to advance your skills is going to be a chore so be ready to work."

What don't you like about working at IBM?

"I don't like the fact that it is hard to switch jobs. Once you get in a position, management wants you to stay there and makes it so political if you speak up and show interest in wanting to do something else. This makes you feel like employee happiness / satisfaction is not important. However, if you allow a person to work in a role in which they are happy, they will be more productive and won't quit like I did."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"I suggest that management listen to their employees and help them seek out other opportunities if they express the desire to move on."

"Great work experience."

"Don't bother."

What do you like about working at IBM?

"The people."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Beware!"

What don't you like about working at IBM?

"Too much management, good old boys club."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Get rid of about 3/4 of them."

"Review is honest assessment from a former senior manager... would be the same if I were still there."

What do you like about working at IBM?

"I developed my skills and experience during a long and distinguished career that provided many professional and personally rewarding relationships."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"I would plan on working at IBM only for a few years, your career development should be a constant and always be on the lookout for a better opportunity. IBM has some serious problems, there are some good people there and you can learn a lot but unless there are some dramatic changes, I would be very hesitant about accepting a job with IBM. And this comes from a former Senior Manager who is not bitter, just sad to see what's become of a once great company. I was fortunate to have learned a great many lessons that I can utilize in my next career, I'm not sure you would have that opportunity today by joining IBM."

What don't you like about working at IBM?

"IBM has regressed from the core principles it was founded upon which was 'Respect for the Individual' and THINK. When I joined the company they were always in the top 5 companies to work for, today they aren't even on the radar and it saddens me. Service was the name of the game, now it's short term profit. The IBM Brand was good as gold at one time, now it's simply mediocre which is a direct result in how management has treated its employees. Having been a senior manager, I am intimately aware of the changes and how they have impacted employee morale and performance."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"I believe new leadership is needed, today's management team is focused only upon short term profit and empire building. Listen to your people, don't just talk about innovation and return 'Respect for the individual' as the corporate mantra. Give your management team autonomy and the responsibility they once had. Get rid of the performance appraisal skew and allow managers to honestly assess their employees."

"Outstanding organization."

"IBM is a great place to work."

What do you like about working at IBM?

"Job Security"

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Give people more information about their jobs."

"Love to work at IBM, though worked only for a few months. Great working environment!!"

What do you like about working at IBM?

"Friendly and cooperative colleagues and a very good and smart manager. Contributes to a great working environment!!"

What don't you like about working at IBM?

"Enjoyed every moment of the time I worked at IBM. The project was very interesting as the results are seen immediately and were appreciated by the management immediately."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Really appreciate the involvement of the management in addressing the results immediately and recognizing for the same."

"Good place to work."

What do you like about working at IBM?

"Flexible schedule."

What don't you like about working at IBM?

"Being laid off."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Market like Omniture and give them a run for their money."

"Task-oriented culture with competitive pay, good benefit options and top notch people."

What do you like about working at IBM?

"Talented people"

What don't you like about working at IBM?

"Long hours."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Focus more on retaining talented people."

"Once great. Now, not even average."

What do you like about working at IBM?

"When I first joined the company, I was able to learn a great deal from other employees and there were numerous opportunities for education. The company was interested in helping me further my technical education. That has all vanished in the past 6 years."

What don't you like about working at IBM?

"Being treated as if I were a commodity. Having to train less competent employees from BRIC. Watching as my co-workers are replaced by less competent employees from BRIC. Outsourcing of valuable, experienced employees while the company is recording record profits. Management having an extremely short range view (Less than 1 quarter). Management more interested in being able to record a mark on the wall rather than what is good for a product. Mid level management being more concerned with products that are 'good enough' rather than good as far as quality goes. Upper level management being interested only in the value of their stock options."

"Pays well, opportunities, great people, but lots of process."

What do you like about working at IBM?

"New technology."

What don't you like about working at IBM?

"Politics and moving too many jobs to India."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Wake up before you ruin the company."

"Employees are in constant fear of never-ending layoffs. Those not laid off have to make up the work for those who are - lots of stress and overtime. Those laid off have to train their Indian/Brazilian/etc. replacements. Benefits are constantly being cut. Company is very profitable, but this has no effect on continuing layoffs, reduced benefits, etc."

What do you like about working at IBM?

"Coworkers were excellent. Very intelligent, hardworking. In general the work was interesting and challenging."

What don't you like about working at IBM?

"No respect for the employees from upper management. Constant layoffs and reduced benefits."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"I had no problem with lower management. Upper management has totally lost touch with their workforce and work only to please the stockholders."

"Great company."

What do you like about working at IBM?

"Stand up company."

What don't you like about working at IBM?

"Politics."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Keep reinforcing technical track."

"Good place to work but moving overseas."