Offshoring myself

[Boris]

I've spent a few weeks in Bangalore and a week in Delhi as part of a roll-out, was a lot of fun. I echo the above..... British people are well respected there. I don't think there's many contracts there where they need foreigners but there are some contracts where they need you to spend some time in India. Most of the other posters sound like a bunch of Daily Mail readers

Well I've taken the plunge, prepared a shortened CV and mailed a few of the larger Indian consultancies. I quickly received enthusiastic replies from two companies despite it being the easter weekend. Evidently the way to go is be contracted by the local (European) branch and be sent out to head office. That way a lot less grief with visas etc.

So, irrespective of the negative comments of some posters above, the reaction I've had so far has been very good. Dare I say it: a flexible approach, no overburdening bureaucracy and genuine interest in my skills & experience.

Quite refreshing really!

Boris

[Scoobos]

Go for it, but in my view I think that Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore are more lucrative and enjoyable. (just my opinion!)

It's a good learning curve and despite what many people may think, you've a lot to gain culture wise from doing any kind of proper working overseas.

For india, I recommend Microland - I've not seen them mentioned on here.

Oh 1 thing though, "No overburdening bureaucracy" made me properly belly laugh , this is not meant in a disrespecting way but thats showing niavity of India. They absolutely love bureaucracy, its hilarious how much stamping goes on.. everything and I mean everything requires a piece of paper to be stamped by someone. Also everything that needs "organising" like travel, logistics and your payment , after being used to the way we do things; requires you to know exactly when to be super patient and go with the flow, and when to kick off seriously.

[TheSurfer]

"No overburdening bureaucracy" made me properly belly laugh , this is not meant in a disrespecting way but thats showing niavity of India. They absolutely love bureaucracy, its hilarious how much stamping goes on.. everything and I mean everything requires a piece of paper to be stamped by someone. Also everything that needs "organising" like travel, logistics and your payment , after being used to the way we do things; requires you to know exactly when to be super patient and go with the flow, and when to kick off seriously.

Completely true. When I was there I was getting paid from abroad so I just entered on a tourist visa and flew below the radar but the locally based foreigners had a lot of hassle. The funny thing about India it's amazing how quickly it all becomes normal to you........week 1 your just thinking "how the **** can anybody live with this chaos and by week 4 you barely notice it"

[Basil Fawlty]

Oh 1 thing though, "No overburdening bureaucracy" made me properly belly laugh , this is not meant in a disrespecting way but thats showing niavity of India. They absolutely love bureaucracy, its hilarious how much stamping goes on.. everything and I mean everything requires a piece of paper to be stamped by someone. Also everything that needs "organising" like travel, logistics and your payment , after being used to the way we do things; requires you to know exactly when to be super patient and go with the flow, and when to kick off seriously.

I was in another Asian country and had similar experiences to the above. Although there's always the possibility of palms being appropriately greased the smooth out the process

[Scoobos]

I was in another Asian country and had similar experiences to the above. Although there's always the possibility of palms being appropriately greased the smooth out the process

My experience exactly - a little bit of "Bonjour" goes a long way!

[Boris]

Just quick update:

I now have three good responses from seven approaches. Not a bad percentage these days.

F2F interview with one of them on Friday, with another next Tuesday. Both of them close to home and with senior staff - not just with HR droids.

So far so good.

[NotAllThere]

Well I've taken the plunge, prepared a shortened CV and mailed a few of the larger Indian consultancies. I quickly received enthusiastic replies from two companies despite it being the easter weekend. Evidently the way to go is be contracted by the local (European) branch and be sent out to head office. That way a lot less grief with visas etc...

I guess ICTs work both ways.

This is a really interesting thread - keep us posted!

[Scoobos]

Nice news Boris. Without wanting to sound too much like a scaremonger , please do be very cautious of scams and also make sure you read up on the requirements for foreign workers in India.

India do not have an ICT law (or at least didnt a couple of years ago) so you will require a visa of some sort - my concern is that the rules used to be that you needed to be constantly at your "registered working address" or faced deportation.

Perhaps premature right now, but make sure you don't extend too long a payment period (e.g 28 days) as in theory they could have 3 months out of you and then you get deported and get paid nothing.

Having said that, as I posted before you can have a great experience and everything may well go swimmingly well - just keep in mind that you are not as protected as you are in the UK from getting scammed.

[alreadypacked]

I have worked in India several times but always for UK companies i.e. got paid in the UK.

Not sure I would work directly for an Indian company.

Good luck with the hunt.

[Stan.goodvibes]

Go for it, but in my view I think that Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore are more lucrative and enjoyable. (just my opinion!)

Oh 1 thing though, "No overburdening bureaucracy" made me properly belly laugh , this is not meant in a disrespecting way but thats showing niavity of India. They absolutely love bureaucracy, its hilarious how much stamping goes on.. everything and I mean everything requires a piece of paper to be stamped by someone. Also everything that needs "organising" like travel, logistics and your payment , after being used to the way we do things; requires you to know exactly when to be super patient and go with the flow, and when to kick off seriously.

As only a visitor to India I can't comment on working conditions, although from what I've seen/heard you just need to pay the right people enough and anything can happen. I just don't think I could handle the mess and mayhem no matter what other posters say about getting used to it. I deal with data because I like things in order and have an almost OCD-level desire for tidiness. India drove me nuts. Especially the endless bureaucracy and paperwork.

I'm thinking Singapore for another offshore stint. A country that fines people for littering and whips them for tagging... much more my kind of place