Dutch IT professionals should seize their opportunities By Robin van Koert 'Thousands of jobs about to leave', reads one headline. 'Ever more work disappears', says another. It seems to be one-way traffic. Leaving the Netherlands in an easterly direction. Nevertheless, in the United Kingdom recent graduates are being recruited for Indian call centers. Should Dutch IT professionals follow their jobs? Offshoring. Software development from a distance. It was excellent material for articles about shiny offices in exotic surroundings. However, the Dutch economy is in recession. Should we protect our jobs? Perhaps not, because IT jobs are still within reach. This is the case particularly in India. Have a look at www.itplacementsindia.com or www.naukri.com. Still, it does require personal initiative. In 1996, Marco Freriksen of Eastern Enterprises in Hengelo, SME offshoring consultants for India, was far ahead of the times. In that year, he found work with the research centre of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Pune, India. "I wrote to almost one hundred companies", says Freriksen. "The names I obtained via embassies and websites", he continues. In the end, only TCS responded positively. However, according to Freriksen, the opportunities for IT professionals have since improved. "Ambitious IT professionals, who have a keen interest in the latest technologies, have the best opportunities", he concludes. Indian branches of companies such as Dell, Oracle and Microsoft also offer work to foreign specialists. It simplifies communications with customers. European and American branches of Indian companies employ staff from the respective countries. Consequently, customers can do business in their own language. In addition, their countrymen will have a better understanding of the local customs. Furthermore, local Indian companies are gradually attracting more expatriates. "They are mainly looking for specialists in marketing and sales, account and client management, project management and high level development work", says Vijay Garikapati, account manager with the American firm Danlaw, which has a branch in Hyderabad, India. "The money that foreign specialists make over here allows for a comfortable lifestyle", says Mohan Reddy, director of InfoTech Enterprises in Hyderabad, enthusiastically. He sees the arrival of foreign IT professionals in India as an important trend. According to Paul Tjia, senior consultant with GPI Consultancy, the Indian branches of Capgemini and Baan are already participating in this trend. They recruit mostly internally. Indian companies are looking for experienced staff. In their own country they are facing a shortage. "Expatriates are hired for their management experience", says Flt. Lt. Chandra Bipin, Vice-President India for Knoah Solutions in Hyderabad. "The idea is that they transfer knowledge", he continues. His expatriate friends are feeling comfortable in India. "However, it does take them some time to get used to the local cuisine", he concludes with a laugh. The smaller Asian countries are another opportunity. Vietnam is an example. Vietnamese companies are looking for knowledge of, and experience with, management. A few years ago, Marc Voss, COO of SilkRoad in Ho Chi Minh City, went to Vietnam to try his luck. "First you have to determine what your added value is", he says. "Next, you approach individual companies", he adds, "via internet, over the phone or by visiting the country". Should all IT professionals buy a one-way ticket to Vietnam? "Programmers can stay where they are", Voss concludes, "because the Vietnamese are excellent themselves". Fluency in English, management experience and knowledge of, and contacts within, for example, telecommunications or finance is what the Vietnamese expect of expatriate IT professionals. "Senior project managers have the best opportunities", Voss summarizes. The salaries are between 1,500 and 4,500 euro per month. An attractive remuneration, given the low cost of living. The demands of companies are comparable to those in other offshoring destinations, such as the Philippines, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Starting your own company is a more adventurous alternative for Dutch IT professionals. "Typically, I meet them in Asia", says Tjia, "but also in Brazil". It is not a feasible option for everyone. "For starters, you need capital, connections and knowledge of the country", says Voss. "If you were not an entrepreneur in the Netherlands, you will not become one abroad", adds Eyco Rogge, Managing Director of Avenue IT Solutions. Despite new opportunities, offshoring remains essentially one-way traffic. Foreigners are only hired for a limited number of jobs. Experienced allrounders have the best opportunities. In addition, Indian companies are looking for specialists in a few specific areas. Language ability and insight into other cultures is also useful. However, always in combination with knowledge, experience and drive. India is not the only option. The website jobs.asiaco.com is a good starting point for the alternative Asian offshoring destinations. Nevertheless, the entrepreneurial IT professional is more likely to find him- or herself enjoying snacks on Chowpatty beach in Mumbai, strolling through the old city in Hyderabad or looking for a refreshing sea breeze on Chennai's boulevard. Robin van Koert, 1 augustus 2005