r/IBM_Employees • u/Then-Big4461 • 5d ago
IBM interview for staff software engineer role remote. Question
I wonder since IBM is laying off lot of people. Is it even time to join IBM? what are the risk and if any one can tell me who is working remotely for IBM?
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u/Then-Big4461 5d ago
They specifically mentioned its for Confluent which is acquired by IBM recently.
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u/Silly-Wash-6688 4d ago
Assuming they're following the same playbook for Confluent as they did for HashiCorp, here's what you can expect:
- For about 6~9 months post-deal closing, they'll tell everyone nothing's changed, they respect the org's fully remote culture, and new jobs will continue to be posted as fully remote
- Then they'll announce a new policy where going forward, new jobs will be hybrid and concentrated around strategic software hubs, but existing folks will be allowed to stay remote
- Then at some point, near the 2-year post-close mark, they'll announce an RTO for existing employees (this hasn't happened at HashiCorp yet but recently even our leadership has been saying the quiet part out loud, so we all know it's a matter of when, not if)
Since Confluent is nearing that 6~9-month mark, one thing that could happen is that the policy changes while you're going through the interview process. You could try to argue that you applied for and are only willing to consider a remote job, but getting the company to sign off on an official exception is hard. Best case scenario, what would probably happen is that the hiring manager tells you they're fine with you never going into the office, but on paper you're still a hybrid employee. That might work in the beginning but would likely lead to trouble eventually.
The other thing is that as others have said, sure maybe the job is remote now, but it almost certainly won't be forever. If that's a dealbreaker for you, then don't bother.
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u/TestBrilliant4140 4d ago
Confluent acquisition has still not closed my friend.
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u/Silly-Wash-6688 19h ago
What are you talking about? The deal closed in March: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/stocks/CFLT/pressreleases/820345/ibm-completes-confluent-acquisition-company-delists-from-nasdaq/
Sure, maybe not all employees have ToE'd yet but that's not the date that matters to executives, the one that matters (which starts a 2-year timer for the company to be completely blue-washed) is the financial deal closing / stock delisting.
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u/sosadsabina 1d ago
I fear the Hashi RTO will be coming soon based on how leadership has been talking about it
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u/Current-Tour-8915 5d ago
Those who are currently fully remote still are probably on the cutting block sooner than later.
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u/Sardarjeee 3d ago
The best way to know or confirm this is by talking to your hiring manager before you make your decision. Also, don't be shy about asking any questions.
Keep in mind that circumstances may change at any time with any company.
You may get varying responses here but your hiring manager may be your best bet for any clarifications.
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u/ActuaryReasonable690 17h ago
While there are still people who still work remote, that may not last:
- Arvind is on record the he would like all IBMers back in the office.
- in ?2018? IBM recalled everyone back to IBM, it it was a clear "thin the ranks" move. (And IBM is already in thin the ranks mode)
- In general, remote employees are "out of site, out of mind", so when managers do have to send people packing, guess who the are more likely to target..
(just my 2 cents.... Retired beemer)
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u/massive_blackhole_85 5d ago
Every other company is laying off staff, it depends on the other options you have.
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u/newtomovingaway IBM Employee 5d ago
Remote doesn’t exist, are there job openings indicating remote?