Need Advice - US / UK

[Ram Deshpande]

Friends..
Need your advice very promptly.
I have 2.8 yrs experience with 4 Certifications (WPS-6.1, OCA 9i, SCJP1.4, and SCBCD )
I am quite a comfortable with new technologies and learning curve is very well.
I got H1B approval (Stamping pending) for one of Consultant for this year with salary 58K per anm.
Salary will revise after every six month with few conditions.
Consultant is primarily working for Finance IB Domain.

Currently I am working with top 3 Indian IT Company in Finance Domain for Credit Suisse. Applied H1B from company but get REJECTED
Now my current manager is sending me to UK for long term assignment (1+ yr). UK Salary will be 2200 pounds and place will be Norwich.
UK assignment will be for Insurance Domain

I am confused over here and need advice how to behave on this situation.

In USA market, i don�t have JOB Grantee but getting H1B is also difficult day by day ...
What are the changeless, I need to face if I decid to move USA?
How is JOB Market in USA?

Or Shall I play a safe game with UK assignment?
Please advice on this situation.

[amit punekar]

Hello
My suggestion would be to go along with your company to UK though I wont be able to comment on the salary. I think that should be pretty okay to start with.
It is a good place unless you are very specific to USA and finance companies. Insurance too is a good domain with opportunities.
Whichever consultant you choose to come to USA ,whatever they promise is not good enough.They will treat you like money earning machines.
Even companies do kind of exploitation up to some extent but at least they have some standard professional processes and of course a job guarantee.
I think being in UK for a year or so and then later on if you really need to be in US then going to US should be fine.
All the best,
Amit

[s mahen perera]

the UK salary that you have mentioned is not bad, considering the fact that the job location is out of London, where things are much cheaper compared to London. However, 2200 pounds per month, means something like 26400 pounds per annum, which is a bit low for the experience you have, i think. Should be able to negotiate something like 30k per annum.

[Ram Deshpande]

Thanks Amit and Mahen...
These top 3 Indian company pays same ~2200 Pound to 5 + Yr expr person as well.
So There will not be any negotiation on salary part.
If my company recall me due to some reason, I have to come back ..
This only area I am dangling most.

Any input for USA... ?

Regards
Ram

[Vijay Chouhan]

Get your passport stamped for the H1 visa. Go to UK. You can decide during October-November and based on your decision you can fly to US from the UK itself.

[B Mitul]

It depends on your long term goals. If you wish to migrate and settle down in US, then getting an H1B sponsorship from one of the better known consultants/bodyshppers is a good option, as long as you are not paying up for the visa fees and the consultant is ready to file for your green card. On the other hand if you just want to take up an onsite opportunity for the additional income, then it is better to play it safe and go with your present employer (I assume that being a large company your present employer as a policy will not sponsor for your permanent residency abroad).

[ravi janap]

Ram

I can understand the kind of confusion you are in right now. Going to USA seems attractive option as most people prefer USA to UK. At the same time, I would like to caution you that you must do a reality check with your friends before hand. The market is definately good in USA right now. Fresh graduates are getting job offers. There are tons of Java projects being implemented in USA right now. However you need to see how good is your consultant. Does your consultant have a good network in USA. Does your consultant provide bench salary. USA H1B seems to be a premium thing nowadays. At the same time it is being observed that lots of software professionals are migrating back to India as there seems to good opportunities in terms of career growth and salary in India. The software professionals in India are experiencing unprecented career growth unlike seen in the past. There are both pros and cons and you need to decide which is the better option for you.

Thanks

-- Ravi
[ June 26, 2007: Message edited by: ravindra janapreddy ]

[abhishek paul]

I agree with ravi , need to check consultant - how good his network is and about the bench salary... , but with that kind of onsite allowance you should definitely opt for UK...i think it is pretty good..though mahen thinks otherwise..??

Life in UK is far more relaxed than that in US although their is much more scope for salary increments in latter case , while in UK i dont really think that might be a possibilty...need confirmation on this from senior ranchers!!

Given a choice I would opt for UK , and plan for US once this assignment is over..
[ July 20, 2007: Message edited by: abhishek paul ]