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An interesting article, with what looks like some good job-search advice. Thanks.

However, I wonder if some of the comments about outsourcing aren't a little rosy. It'll be a couple decades, at the most optimistic, before living standards and salaries in India match those in the United States. Of course, I'm assuming that it'll be a game of catch up, and our living standards won't fall to their level!

This is depends on the exchange rate as well as the underlying economy.

If Japan, Taiwan, and other countries with big piles of cash started to sell US Treasury obligations and invest in India, the rupee could strengthen very rapidly. It's very strong now at 44/1, but it could easily go to 35 in a few years.

If Indian salaries increased 30% during the same time, the 15 lakh bargain technical wizard would become the 20 lakh not-such-a-bargain technical wizard, because his salary in US dollars has gone from $34K to $67K. In the meantime, his brother-in-law, the 5 lakh hack coder, is now the 6 lakh hack coder (competetion from 6-week trade school grads has held down the price of low-level plodders); his salary has gone from $11K to $17K.

By the time you factor in the costs of communication overhead, the guys in Ohio are ready to make a very attractive offer.

Of course, I'm assuming that it'll be a game of catch up, and our living standards won't fall to their level!

Everything goes from the higher level toward the lower level unless restrained from doing so by some outside force. In other words; water seeks it's own level.