Reply to: Offshoring myself

[Stan.goodvibes]

I think, although this sounds like a terrible statement, the number one thing most people come away from India with is the thoughts that you have voiced.

Most people have an undeniable belief that India was a lot better under English rule - everything that's semi working, or of any benefit to the general populace appears to have been instilled with the commonwealth and left to rot ever since.

I love Gandhi, but I think he'd be very dissapointed with the direction the country is going in. Having said that, when there's an open Visa to the UK and cheap airlines - why bother?

Hope this doesn't upset anyone - just my 2 cents.

Regarding Singapore, for me it was a little "too" righteous - apart from the Durain and Chewing gum laws

Well when you consider that the trains and tracks haven't been maintained at all since the British left, and neither have the roads as far as I can tell, I think it's just a statement of fact. There is no way that a country like India, where nothing is maintained or built properly, can suddenly magically start producing something as complex as working software applications. No way.

As for Singapore - work hard in a boring environment, then jump on a plane and a few hours away is the madness of Thailand and other fun destinations. It's big drawcard is the location (and the tidyness :-)

[Scoobos]

I think, although this sounds like a terrible statement, the number one thing most people come away from India with is the thoughts that you have voiced.

Most people have an undeniable belief that India was a lot better under English rule - everything that's semi working, or of any benefit to the general populace appears to have been instilled with the commonwealth and left to rot ever since.

I love Gandhi, but I think he'd be very dissapointed with the direction the country is going in. Having said that, when there's an open Visa to the UK and cheap airlines - why bother?

Hope this doesn't upset anyone - just my 2 cents.

Regarding Singapore, for me it was a little "too" righteous - apart from the Durain and Chewing gum laws

[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

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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!

[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

[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"

[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.

[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

[TheSurfer]

I had worked in India for a while. The salary was not to UK levels but quite adequate as I had been given a flat and a car.

British people are very well respected in India. You will very easily get a mentoring / trainer role. Indians (Like all Asians) rate foreign (read Western) advice highly. You might even get perks like a flat, a car with a driver etc depending on your skills and level.

About the visa, I had used these guys.
India Work Permit - Employment Visas

Your salary must be above $25000 per year which you will easily get.

the Indian authorities do not look at your passport alone. They will add extra checks (Read delay indefinitely) your work permit application if you have, say, a Muslim (Esp Pakistani) background. Of course, none of this is on paper.

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

[AnthonyQuinn]

Apply to Infosys, Tata etc.

I had worked in India for a while. The salary was not to UK levels but quite adequate as I had been given a flat and a car.

British people are very well respected in India. You will very easily get a mentoring / trainer role. Indians (Like all Asians) rate foreign (read Western) advice highly. You might even get perks like a flat, a car with a driver etc depending on your skills and level.

About the visa, I had used these guys.
India Work Permit - Employment Visas

Your salary must be above $25000 per year which you will easily get.

the Indian authorities do not look at your passport alone. They will add extra checks (Read delay indefinitely) your work permit application if you have, say, a Muslim (Esp Pakistani) background. Of course, none of this is on paper.

[Ignis Fatuus]

I guess there's only one way to find out and it can't do any harm to make some contacts in India. As regards not being an Indian national, I don't expect that it will be as big a problem as you might expect. India is a huge country and in many ways it's quite a divided society. It may even be to my advantage that I don't belong to any particular group or religion.

Persuading Indian boss to take you on: no problem.
Persuading Indian Government to give you a working visa: forget it.