Software Engineer Interview Experience - Austin, Texas
December 1, 2013
Positive ExperienceGot Offer
Process
I first applied online and, several months later, scheduled two phone calls. The first phone call was simply to gather preliminary background information, explain what the department does, and answer questions about my resume. The second phone call was a brief technical interview. This can vary depending on the department and position you apply for.
The last thing I had to do was take IBM's IPAT test, which is basically a skills/IQ test to determine how well you solve problems.
Questions
The IPAT test was strange but not too difficult. Make sure you practice number series/patterns (e.g., 2, 4, 6, 8... what is the next number?) and converting word problems to algebraic equations.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 22 interview experiences for the IBM Software Engineer role in Austin, Texas.
Success Rate
59%
Pass Rate
IBM's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in Austin, Texas is on the easier side as most engineers get an offer after going through it.
Experience Rating
Positive68%
Neutral23%
Negative9%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for IBM's Software Engineer interview process in Austin, Texas.
IBM Work Experiences
2.0
The Pluses and the Minuses
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Austin, Texas, United States
June 17, 2008
Pros: The flexibility of the company, along with the ability to earn bonuses via patents.
Cons: Cash compensation (I work for less than when I started, counting inflation), reduced headcount, no job security.
4.0
Good impressions of a well-established international corporate business
Software Engineer • Former Employee
Austin, Texas, United States
July 2, 2008
Pros: IBM has impressed me with its commitment to diversity. The company has so many interesting projects in development and combines viewpoints from international employees as well as those within the US. The resources available on site are quite sufficient for research and personal development, and the location of the site is ideal for anyone interested in live music, making for a good work/life balance opportunity.
Cons: Apparently there are some divisions that do work longer hours, but I have not experienced this personally. I find that those who work longer weeks are a bit too committed to their work. I have found that the managers are quite flexible when it comes to their employees' schedules.
3.0
A good company to start your career or finish it... but not in between
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Austin, Texas, United States
April 20, 2014
Pros: Great coworkers and work environment.
Supportive management.
A lot of things going on, from design to cloud to acquisitions.
People do listen and care.
Online access to 24/7 books, which is pretty handy sometimes, yet not fast enough to include cutting-edge tech books.
Cons: The problems with everything I said above are:
The people around you are not working on your project. Your team will pretty much cover all time zones.
The management's support from your first and second line are more of a sympathy vote since they don't even own the components they're working on.
A lot of things are going on, yet from a developer's point of view, old technologies dominate the money-making for IBM. So, good luck revolutionizing anything. You can scratch the surface, and that's all.
As for listening and caring, it ends there. In order to make changes, you have to work overtime and on your own dime only to get a top performer for the year with a measly 1-3% base salary increase that barely keeps up with inflation.
There are buckets of money, and the money is divided based on the projects and their values. You can be the next Woz, but if you work on "just another IBM project that senior management only hears about in quarterly reports," then good luck getting that healthy raise.
Barely any training opportunities on-site. If you don't believe me, go to the Think 40 site and search for training programs in Austin.
- 2.0The Pluses and the MinusesSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeAustin, Texas, United StatesJune 17, 2008Pros: The flexibility of the company, along with the ability to earn bonuses via patents.Cons: Cash compensation (I work for less than when I started, counting inflation), reduced headcount, no job security.
- 4.0Good impressions of a well-established international corporate businessSoftware Engineer • Former EmployeeAustin, Texas, United StatesJuly 2, 2008Pros: IBM has impressed me with its commitment to diversity. The company has so many interesting projects in development and combines viewpoints from international employees as well as those within the US. The resources available on site are quite sufficient for research and personal development, and the location of the site is ideal for anyone interested in live music, making for a good work/life balance opportunity.Cons: Apparently there are some divisions that do work longer hours, but I have not experienced this personally. I find that those who work longer weeks are a bit too committed to their work. I have found that the managers are quite flexible when it comes to their employees' schedules.
- 3.0A good company to start your career or finish it... but not in betweenSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeAustin, Texas, United StatesApril 20, 2014Pros: Great coworkers and work environment. Supportive management. A lot of things going on, from design to cloud to acquisitions. People do listen and care. Online access to 24/7 books, which is pretty handy sometimes, yet not fast enough to include cutting-edge tech books.Cons: The problems with everything I said above are: The people around you are not working on your project. Your team will pretty much cover all time zones. The management's support from your first and second line are more of a sympathy vote since they don't even own the components they're working on. A lot of things are going on, yet from a developer's point of view, old technologies dominate the money-making for IBM. So, good luck revolutionizing anything. You can scratch the surface, and that's all. As for listening and caring, it ends there. In order to make changes, you have to work overtime and on your own dime only to get a top performer for the year with a measly 1-3% base salary increase that barely keeps up with inflation. There are buckets of money, and the money is divided based on the projects and their values. You can be the next Woz, but if you work on "just another IBM project that senior management only hears about in quarterly reports," then good luck getting that healthy raise. Barely any training opportunities on-site. If you don't believe me, go to the Think 40 site and search for training programs in Austin.
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