LIA-R2A Dilemma - Please advise !!

NAJ · Post by **NAJ** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 6:58 pm

Dear Friends,
I will appreciate if I can get some advise on my situation (dilemma)
- I have a Ph.D. in non-IT with over 10 years of experience in research and project/program management in US
- I recently returned to India and have been offered a senior management position in a reasonably known company in India (> 1.5 B USD)
- I don't like the work culture yet but have been promised that a better culture will be developed in the division I am in and also given decent freedom at work
- Moneywise, the savings will not be as much as in US but I am hoping that the senior management experience will help when we want to return to US (we have USC). If I go back now, I can land a decent job in US but I have not been liking the type of jobs I have been doing in project/program management.
Considering the above, would it be better for me to go back now or stay put and gain the experience while India grows. How difficult it is to find a job in US after spending sometime in India ? Other factors, viz. staying close to parents etc. are a factor but not primary drivers at this time.

I will so much appreciate any/all suggestions.
Thanks in advance.

thehomewardbound · Post by **thehomewardbound** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 9:36 am

Work culture etc is not going to change that easily whatever they promise.
If you have no motivating reason other than this job offer, don't R2I!!
HW

Tweedledee · Post by **Tweedledee** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:14 am

#2, OP has already r2ied, so why tell him don't r2i. To OP: try to get the company to give you tangible evidence that the work culture you seek will actually take hold in the division you are in. and give yourself a time limit to have it happen. At the end of that, you can take stock. basically if work culture is the only thing you dislike about r2i, dont be in haste to r2a. you wouldn't want to regret r2a either.

NAJ · Post by **NAJ** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 2:56 pm

Tweedledee;52468#2, OP has already r2ied, so why tell him don't r2i. To OP: try to get the company to give you tangible evidence that the work culture you seek will actually take hold in the division you are in. and give yourself a time limit to have it happen. At the end of that, you can take stock. basically if work culture is the only thing you dislike about r2i, dont be in haste to r2a. you wouldn't want to regret r2a either.

Hi Tweedledee and HW,
Thanks very much for your suggestions. The major dilemma that crosses my mind is how easy or difficult would it be to get a job in US after some senior management experience in India in non-IT (this would be my first job in India if I continue). I know it is a tough one to answer but if someone can provide any input, I will appreciate it.
Regards.

desihometown · Post by **desihometown** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:24 pm

A friend of mine R2Ied 4 years ago as director of engg at TI.

He is back as a senior hw engr in a startup.

It depends what type of company u come back to. LEts say u were a engr. manager in the US and u got a director's job in India.

I highly doubt if u can get a director's job back in the US in a mid-size - large company in the US after 2-3 years in India.

The point is you have not been a part of the system/politics in US and
the other managers will play the "I have been here longer than him" card.

OF course u can play the "international experince" card. But, the dude
closer to the VP gets the director job.

I think for management roles, u have to be close to the guy who can
pull u up. In other words, for manager's role, u need to be in sync with director. For director's role, u gotta suck up to VP and so on.

Its a matter of visibility. Not just pure talent. Just my 2 cents.

Most people who R2Aed from India took 1 level hit in their roles. Again
my sample space is very small. Max 3-4 people that I know who R2Aed.

DHT

rams · Post by **rams** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 4:49 am

If US is where you want to live,
you should not waste even a minute staying back in India for work or any other reason.
I dont think the job you mention will help you in your career in US, you are better off trying to build a career there.

layman · Post by **layman** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:11 am

Everything depends upon what you do in India. If your accomplishments have the qualities and attributes that are saleable in US, you will get a senior management position in US as well. On the other hand, if you become part of the title inflation in India, you will not get the same title in US unless it is a intra company transfer.

restlessdesi · Post by **restlessdesi** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:01 pm

OP,

It seems from your post that you aren't happy with the work culture in India, nor were you happy with the work quality in US. If job satisfaction is all you seek, shouldn't you focus on changing companies instead of changing countries?

My 2 cents.

NAJ · Post by **NAJ** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:39 pm

MeraNaseebR2I;52625OP.

In certain companies - mostly multinationals - talent from India is treated same as talent from US.
Take the case of Indra Nooyi. She was picked from India to come to the executive management position in US.

Of course such cases are few.

I have also heard cases where people were Manager in US, went to India for 2 years as a Sr. Manager, got promoted to Director and then came back to US as a director.

In some companies, India experience is counted exactly as US experience. In some others it is not.

Either way, if you want to come back to US, you will have maybe a year's time to settle down and prove your worth. You are always better off thatn the guy who did not take the risk to get experience in a emerging country and a foreign land. Your story should emphasize the importance of gaining International experience.

Good Luck!

Dear Friends,
Thanks very much for your replies. Some very good points indeed. I am leaning towards what Meeranaseebr2I suggested, i.e., give it an year or so to see the growth opportunities otherwise I may regret it ! From all the posts, it seems like getting a job back in US after staying in India does not seem to be that big of a concern (please correct me if I misread it). I am sure I am not alone in this situation. However, I want to make the best use of it. I agree that changing jobs is another option but I feel that market in India is more dynamic at this time, and hence, may provide more opportunities.
More suggestions are welcome and will very much appreciate it.
Thanks.