Should I work for an offshore outsourcer?
The opportunities and potential pitfalls of working offshore
By Arif Mohamed | Computerworld UK | Published 12:41, 19 November 10
There is clearly a demand for UK IT professionals to work either abroad or onshore for offshore outsourcers.
Peter Segal, managing director at recruitment specialist Ogilvie & Associates noted that there are opportunities, particularly for IT professionals to work onshore at manager level for these organisations.
“Many Indian outsourcers staff their middle and senior management roles with Indian personnel even In the UK. However their growth means that there are more managerial roles becoming available in general. The progression from developer to senior developer or from project manager to senior project manager may well be quicker," said Segal.
However he was sceptical about whether many UK IT workers were actually making the jump. “We do not see many UK staff moving abroad as they are expensive compared to Indian, Ukrainian, Polish and Czech counter parts.”
“Also the job market is relatively buoyant at the moment for UK personnel so there is no economic driver forcing people to seek work overseas,” he said. As ever, it comes down to personal choice.
Pros and cons of working offshore
For IT professionals looking to work offshore with an outsourcing company, there are many pluses and minuses that need to be considered, said Peter Segal, managing director of recruitment specialist Ogilvie & Associates. He was recently involved in looking to move a British national to the Ukraine, and advises people to consider:
1. Political stability. “There were troops on the streets at the time of the interviews!” said Segal.
2. Local tax rates. “This is a huge driver to move to the Ukraine.”
3. Local housing costs. “Kiev is very expensive for apartments in the ex-pat part of town.”
4. Ex-pat social life. This is important for partners, “particularly if English is not widely spoken”.
5. Education. “What is the quality of the international schools?”
6. Rent costs. “In Dubai you have to pay a year's rent up front; ditto school fees. So if you lose your job it is very expensive.”
7. Unemployment. “In some Arab countries you can only remain if you have a job. Being unemployed means you are deported,” said Segal.
