Do a thorough background check on the team that you join. Some groups are meticulous and organized, while others harbor a "start up" mentality where management rules with an iron fist. The "start up" group needs a fair bit of cleanup.
* People throw you under the bus at a moment's notice. Be wary when dealing with overseas teams.
* Forget flexible timings and be ready to work long hours and weekends. Personal commitments have to take a back seat in favor of old school management philosophy.
* PTO policy is a joke. The number of PTO days are solely based on a consensus between you and your manager. If you both are in sync, your'e in luck. Otherwise, it's near impossible to get proper vacation.
* Projects are started by someone's whim and fancy, and get shelved at a moments notice. Why isn't this considered a waste of resources and money?
* Most projects are unnecessarily portrayed as high-priority, to make employees work weekends. A classic case of the boy who cried wolf.
* It's always good to get management promises in writing. Some people can be very "forgetful".
* With many groups, brown nosers and people with salesman tongue are encouraged. If you happen to be a sincere, diligent worker ... prepare to be sidelined.
* Negotiate on a good salary upfront, as your pay hikes will be minimal unless you are management's "yes boy".
* Management needs to be given "WebEx" lessons. Why do people always have to be in meeting rooms if they can give the same presentation over WebEx. Talk about a hi-tech company management with old school ideals.
