Outsourcing: My interview experience

[1stFreedom]

I had a job interview for a contract position this past Wednesday. (It was with a Fortune 20 company.)

The department typically outsources its development work to India, to a group of eight Indian programmers. I was told they spent 10 weeks training this group of people. When deadlines get really tight they will hire a contractor here in the US to help out with the work.

The director I interviewed with told me not to expect to be offered a full time position -- it was short term temp only. He specifically told me he has to keep his shop in India busy before he can hire any American worker here in the States.

This amazes me since the company is doing extremely well and has very deep pockets.

I think the Republicans really have taken the wrong position on this issue. Not that the Dems are entirely right either.

Now, since I have no choice but to vote for Pres. Bush, due to the possibly shaping of the Supreme Court by the next President, my vote hasn't been lost.

But imagine the hoards of Information Technology people in my position who have other priorities -- Think they are gonna vote for Bush? I don't think so. The blue collars have taken up this fight and it's hurting George Bush in NJ, PA, and OH. With PA looking like a race that will hinge on less than 1% of the vote, every vote counts.

I fear that this issue, though small in nature, could very well cost Bush the Presidency -- and it's his own doing.

Denying that outsourcing is a problem is the worst thing the Republicans could have done -- and it's exactly what they did.

[lodwick]

That and the open borders problem are not pluses...good luck with the job search.

[IC Ken]

Outsourcing was and is not a Republican invention. It started years ago with the LIBERAL enviromentalists.
factories were closed and moved overseas where they could pollute at will, rather than be fined here.
I don't see how Bush bears any responsibility for this.
Today's world market allows for this free trade. The way to combat this is to buy AMERICAN whenever possible.

[Theresawithanh]

OK, that's IT. I'm voting for Kerry. He doesn't like outsourcing, either! Whoops, forgot about the Heinz thingie, and phone banks in Canada calling voters in the U.S.

Not to be unsympathetic to you, and my job as a transcriptionist has the high potential to be outsourced and I could be out of a job, but I don't think this will cost President Bush the presidency.

[Boundless]

What could possibly make anyone think that Kerry would
actually DO anything about this, except make it worse.

The problem isn't that companies are at liberty to outsource,
it's the tax/regulatory/liability factors on-shore that
motivate them to do so. Democrats caused almost all of
the problems, and will just add to it.

Out-sourcing has been going on since about 1950, when
it began in earnest with the merchant marine. To the
extent that there is an actual problem that needs to
be solved, it's making the US a more attractive place
to locate and hire, not more complicated and expensive.

[sam_whiskey]

I don't think anyone's denied it's a problem...they've said it often gets exaggerated. Kerry is just disingenuous enough to claim he can do something to stop it.

[sandpit]

A very large oil company in Texas has outsourced some jobs lately to India and Canada. Everyone I've talked to is voting for Kerry because they blame Bush for losing their jobs. They think one of the richest companies in the world sold us out for a few dollars an hour. I'm not altogether unhappy, I've been thinking about a career change for a while now. And I still believe "W" is for Women!

[Time is now]

I'm in the high tech sector and your assertion is false. I've used India programmers for bulk work, but to get detailed systems done, US programmers are still the call. To bad so many US programmers are still living in the fantasy world of the 90's when the ridiculous inflated salaries and hourly wages ruled. Programmers brought it on themselves by refusing to work for $50 per hour ($100k per year rate). I had idiots doing Visual Basic turning me down, insisting on $125 per hour ($250k per year rate)!!! I own the company and I don't make that kind of money. It's called capitalism and there are thousands of programming jobs out there in every city. Go get one.....

[Sir_Humphrey]

Denying that outsourcing is a problem is the worst thing the Republicans could have done -- and it's exactly what they did.

And the Dems will help this by raising taxes and increasing health care costs? Or will they do it by blocking tort reform? Ah...maybe they'll do it via increased regulation.

Seriously, the outsourcing began in the 90s and then Dems couldn't care less. the supposed "tax loophole" is not a loophole at all and is so insignificant it won't make a dent in the outsourcing situation.

The only solution is to foster a favorable business environment (ie lower taxes, less regulation) here.

[Doctor Stochastic]

So what do you propose to stop outsourcing?

[K1avg]

Bruce Bartlett had a very, VERY good column in this morning's Times-Union (online here) on outsourcing. Read it, then read it again.

If outsourcing is such a problem, why is the local ClientLogic call center holding job fairs every other weekend? I'm sorry to hear about your experience, but I'm not surprised. Outsourcing is happening. No argument there. Still, there are tons of IT jobs open here in the states, it's just a matter of where to look and how far you're willing to go to get them.

My $0.02, anyway...

[Non-Sequitur]

bump

[varon]

The way to combat this is to buy AMERICAN whenever possible.

Good idea on the surface but since fewer and fewer American goods are available, it doesn't translate into reality unless a person is willing to go barefoot and naked.

[sam_whiskey]

??? Explain. And I cannot stomach Lou Dobbs.

[Time is now]

Here is just one of 50 pages from Monster.com, Big boys don't cry, they go get a job!

Oct 16 Programmer Analyst / Application Developer
Cairo Corporation US-VA-Fairfax
Oct 16 Sr. Programmer Analyst
MR/Ovid US-MA-Norwood
Oct 16 GUI Programmer using Java and Eclipse
Modis, Inc. US-TX-Houston
Oct 16 MVS Systems Performance Programmer
Keane, Inc. US-NJ-Central
Oct 16 Programmer Analyst - Business Applications
Precision Response US-FL-Miami
Oct 16 Java Software Programmer
Austin International, Inc. US-NC-York, SC
Oct 16 Programmer Analyst - Business Applications
Precision Response US-FL-Miami
Oct 16 Programmer/Analyst
Tempur-Pedic US-KY-Lexington
Oct 16 Progress Database Programmer
Volt Services US-NM-Albuquerque
Oct 16 Programmer Analyst
Volt Services US-MA-Chicopee
Oct 16 Programmer/Analyst-Business
Volt Services US-PA-Philadelphia
Oct 16 Programmer/Analyst-Business
Volt Services US-PA-Philadelphia
Oct 16 VB/VB.net programmer
Kforce, Professional Staffing US-CA-Los Angeles
Oct 16 VB/VB.net programmer
Kforce, Professional Staffing US-NM-Albuquerque
Oct 15 MVS Systems Programmer
CIBER, Inc. US-WA-Seattle
Oct 15 Lead Programmer/Analyst - Seibel
Manpower Professional US-AL-Birmingham
Oct 15 Programmer/Analyst
Volt Services US-CA-Sacramento
Oct 15 PC PROGRAMMER
Manpower Professional US-IN-Columbus
Oct 15 Programmer
Manpower Professional US-NC-Research Triangle Park
Oct 15 Programmer
Manpower Professional US-AR-Little Rock
Oct 15 Programmer Writer
Volt Services US-WA-Redmond
Oct 15 Sybase Programmer - Fixed Income
Manpower Professional US-NY-New York
Oct 15 Programmer Analyst
Futuredontics, Inc. US-CA-Los Angeles
Oct 15 AS/400 Programmer Analyst - Exciting Florida Opportunity!
AS/400 Personnel Agency, Inc. US-FL-Jacksonville
Oct 15 Programmer/Analyst - Consultant Needed In San Diego!
AS/400 Personnel Agency, Inc. US-CA-San Diego
Oct 15 C++ Programmer
Manpower Professional US-AR-Little Rock
Oct 15 Sr. Systems Programmer
Kenexa US-ID-Boise
Oct 15 Sr. Programmer
Sony Online Entertainment US-CA-San Diego
Oct 15 C# / .Net Programmer
CreditSights US-NY-New York
Oct 15 Senior Programmer - Fox Pro
Manpower Professional US-WI-Whitewater
Oct 15 Programmer- Mid Level
General Employment US-TX-Houston
Oct 15 AS/400 Computer Programmer
Uline US-IL-Chicago
Oct 15 AS/400 Computer Programmer
Uline US-IL-Chicago North
Oct 15 AS/400 Computer Programmer
Uline US-IL-Chicago Northwest
Oct 15 Senior Programmer Analyst
The Computer Merchant US-NJ-Jersey City
Oct 15 Lotus Notes 6.5 Programmer/System Administrator
Strategic Staffing Solutions US-PA-Philadelphia
Oct 15 Sr. Programmer Analyst - WMS
KELLOGG COMPANY US-IL-Elmhurst
Oct 15 Programmer Analyst - Financial Planning and Reporting
KELLOGG COMPANY US-IL-Elmhurst
Oct 15 PROGRAMMER
Spherion US-TX-San Antonio
Oct 15 Programmer Analyst
RCM Technologies US-CA-Sacramento
Oct 15 Web Designer/Programmer
Modern Process Equipment US-IL-Chicago
Oct 15 Pro-Engineering Programmer/Design Engineer
Continental/Midland, LLC US-IL-Chicago South
Oct 15 PLC Programmer
Management Recruiters Intntl US-IL-Statewide
Oct 15 RPG Programmer Analyst
Management Recruiters Intntl US-IL-Statewide
Oct 15 Database Programmer
Hudson Legal US-NY-New York City
Oct 15 Database Programmer
Hudson Legal US-NY-New York City
Oct 15 IVR Programmer
Hudson IT & Telecommunications US-NC-Raleigh/Durham-RTP
Oct 15 Programmer
FAIR FINANCE US-OH-Akron
Oct 15 Senior Programmer Analyst- Mercator Integrations
Yoh IT US-PA-Allentown

[mr_griz]

Let me speak as an employer, and someone who is considering doing exactly what your future employer is doing right now.

Outsourcing is not the problem, it's a painful symptom of a much more serious ailment.

In America, today, employers are afraid.

They should be.

We've developed a climate where hiring an employee is a major risk. All it takes is for one dishonest employee to cry harassment, or injury, and your entire business is at risk.

We're afraid to hire, but we're even more afraid to fire. At the point you terminate someone, you've made yourself vulnerable to a litany of litigation.

This is an extremely hostile climate.

The liberal politicians created it, supposedly to protect the American worker.

Unfortunately, the opposite effect has occurred.

Rather than risk their businesses, sane American businesses have shipped jobs overseas to friendlier locales.

If we address the fundamental problems of the American workplace, outsourcing will quickly become a non-issue.

Griz

[FR_addict]

Like you I have no doubt many Republicans are on the wrong side of this issue. However, the ones most concerned with this problem are Republicans like Tom Tancredo. I will continue to send money to Tom and anyone else I hear that is trying to do something about outsourcing.

There is no way I'll vote for Hanoi John. All he does is lie anyway. His wife's company outsources and he has no intention of helping.

I don't trust Kerry on defense and believe that the President's primary duty is to defend this country against her enemies. 70% of the military supports President Bush and I do not want to see Kerry in charge of the military.

Also we will have better judges under President Bush.

I intend to stay involved in the issue of outsourcing.

The economy is getting better and some of my friends in the tech industry are finally starting jobs again. I have had two jobs since my layoff, one a contract and one direct. They paid better than I was making before the layoff three years ago, but I had to leave my family and move out of town both times.

I get the feeling that some companies are starting to rethink this whole idea of outsourcing their technical jobs. The product quality is not what they had promised their shareholders.

By the way, I took the last contract home with me. It probably won't last a whole lot longer, but it is nice to work from home.

[MNJohnnie]

Denying that outsourcing is a problem is the worst thing the Republicans could have done -- and it's exactly what they did.


What is it about IT people that they think the whole world revolves around them? Hate to tell you this but you all were had by the late 1990s Dot Com bubble. You bought into the fraudulent notion that IT would be this ever expanding Job Market forever exempted from the Laws of Supply and Demand. Hate to burst your ego bubble, but there are not enough of you Outsourced to swing even one electoral vote away from Bush. The US market over invested in IT people. When you were all pulling down fat salary's with plenty of perks, everything was fine. Now the bubble burst and you are reduced to mere mortal status like the rest of us working stiffs and you all are desperately flailing around looking for a scapegoat. I suppose the Buggy whip and Carriage makers of 100 years ago cast about wildly for a scapegoat to blame their woes on too. Evolve or die. Looking for some pandering politician to come up with some magic solution to force companies to bring back less then 1% of total US jobs is just absurd. It is never going to happen. All the companies who SELL all the stuff to India that they use to operate their call centers etc have WAY more pull then you fraction that lost your cozy jobs will EVER have. It's call CAPITALISM. It is NOT perfect NOR pretty it just works BETTER then any other economic system yet devised by man. Instead of looking to the Govt. to create some new program to save your contracting Job market, GET YOURSELF into a NEW JOB MARKET. It requires work and sacrifice on your part, I know I have been downsized 3 times in my life, but you can do it. As long as you sit around and scream "OH WOE IS ME-GOVT GOT TO DO SOMETHING TO SAVE ME", NOTHING will change for you.