I am currently working as a Financial Controller for a blue chip firm, and was interested in moving to consultancy for some time. I have been offered a job as a Senior Consultant with IBM's Distribution practice, and am interested in hearing your opinions on whether or not IBM is a good company to work for. They have offered me a starting salary of £60k + car allowance + bonus. Is this fair ? What is the atmosphere like in their Waterloo office ? What sort of clients do they have?

how many years experience have you got?

Hi Clarke. Have a scroll down through the postings here and you’ll see that IBM isn’t a happy place at the moment. The PwC takeover was handled badly from a people perspective, with the result that staff from the level of Senior Consultant (PRG8) downwards don’t stay very long. Most of the work in Distribution is mainly soul destroying mundane PMO stuff on the DWP or the MoD. The atmosphere in Southbank is very cliquey and political. Before you accept I’d suggest you visit the office to see just how clinical the atmosphere is. As for package, it’s a little low, but about right. Have you tried looking at a more respected consulting group, such as one of the consulting arms of the Big 4 or someone like Cap Gem or PA ?

IBM have recently started a new grad scheme, Business Transformation outsourcing and they're looking to get grads in the door asap. Is this because the labour turnover rate in BCS is so high and they need to plug the holes? or doe sth ecurrent situation and possible vacanices higher up the ladder make for a promising start to a grad career with a firm that may sort itself out by the time I reach management level?Thanks in advance, C

You need to ask yourself why the staff turnover rate is so high. There are reasons why IBM can't retain staff. I suppose you could take the long view on this, but why not cut your teeth at a decent consultancy and then join at a later stage in your career, if you are determined to sign up.

As someone who has worked for the Big Blue for many moons, I can tell you that its not a place I'd recommend for others to join, espcially so early in your career. While some of the initial training is good, the quality of work is very poor, pay rises are minimal, and the behaviour of some of the partners with the new female intake is just disgusting. Add to this the political environment, and you can see why its not a comfortable place to work.

Could you explain a little more about the attitude of some partners to the new female intake?

Ask anyone who’s ever worked on the Ministry of Defence job, and they’ll tell you.

Im a grad student and dont know anyone whos worked at IBM let alone on the MoD job?! Will you not say?

I used to work in Southbank London for IBM for 3 years. I would rate IBM quite highly - as they seem to value their people quite well - and in my experience seem to support work/life balance - They are a great place to develop your career as they support you with extensive training if needed. I would also say that as PWC are now part of their consulting arm - they are probably an even better place to work - as they are more focused on pure business consulting (as opposed to system development) then they used to be. All salaries are negotiatable - but you need to do this before you start - as you will never get much of a pay rise after you start. I would say that IBM pay slightly below average - but have better working conditions. The only other thing I would add is that since the merger with PWC - they have had quite a few of their 'PWC' consultants leave - but I expect this is quite normal after a merger. carlene@vantage-strategies.com

yes - we need it spelt out - seems to me you're making it up. Don't be cryptic on this forum - people are asking questions becuase the don't know the answers. The problem with many consultancies, mine included is that juniors are treated are scum. I often get the answer "you don't want to know" to questions I ask. But then I won't have asked if that had been the case! - SO SPELL IT OUT!