Which one is better - TCS or Infosys?

What are the basic things that one should know before switching from Infosys to TCS or Cognizant?

• Answer:

  Both companies 1. If you are switching to look for an onsite opportunity, then it is going to be an uphill battle as you generally will be at the back of the queue compared to more loyal employees in those companies who are already in the front of the queue. For an average person, this could mean no onsite at all, or an onsite opportunity after 2 to 4 years of waiting. If you were unlucky or got screwed due to office politics or regionalism in Infy, and you are an exceptional resource, then you perhaps could push the right buttons to get your onsite a bit earlier. 2. You'll have to work a bit harder than before to prove your worth - this is good as it would make you a better professional 3. You'll have to build up connections unless you already know a lot of people there TCS 1. TCS is a company with a much slower work culture compared to Infosys. 2. It is much harder to get things done in TCS without knowing people, or without multiple escalations with support from your management hierarchy (if you don't know people). 3. If you end up on bench after joining TCS, you WILL NOT get variable pay. The RMG (Resource Managment Group) works hard to try and get people into projects and into billable status, but still a person could end up being unlucky. Friend of mine who ended up on bench in TCS had to apply for leave for the days on bench so that the variable pay was not cut. 4. If your salary on switching includes some 'skill bonus', then that skill bonus will be paid to you only if you work in a project which utilizes that skill. Cognizant Positives - 1. No tracking of worked hours 2. People don't apply for leave after going on leave and end up encashing their leave balance 3. 1 and 2 could change in the future if CTS puts in monitoring like Infy does. 4. Friends of my friends who quit Infy to join Cognizant are perceived to be happier as they have not rejoined Infy after quitting. 5. Growth - Cognizant is growing faster than Infy. Negatives - 1. Less job security - managers can't be on bench for more than a month and folks below manager level (programmer analyst, associate, senior associate) can't be on bench for more than 2 months. If ending up on bench for more than these limits, CTS asks the resource to resign. 2. Interviews - Internal interview (and perhaps client interview) before joining any project 3. Talent Management - Was told last year that people on bench have to run around and find projects on their own - but this could have changed.