With syntel you will have a job but no career..
Pros
Onsite opportunities are good. People with lesser skills can succeed/attain higher positions, this is mainly due to high attrition rate. Leave policy at offshore is good. 10 calendar leaves at onsite (but you may not have to apply for them, so you'll save leaves and get paid for them in the end) Med insurance at offshore is good. Relaxed atmosphere at offshore for most. Overtime allowance at offshore is fair enough. Unlimited sick leaves (not sure if they still have this policy because employees were abusing this big time) In hand salary at offshore is good. Job security. Some big name projects in US and UK and that will help you later in future job search.
Cons
Syntel lacks direction/vision. No salary increase at onsite/below par salary at offshore (average salary is lower at both onsite and offshore). High attrition rate. If you're a good resource project won't ever change. No investment on employees to get trainings etc. Benefits at offshore are pathetic(a friend was having hallucinations and fainted, but health insurance company was not ready to approve a $1000 ultrasound and MRI) No infrastructure (only one global development center in more than 30 years!!!). Mumbai office is pathetic (dog bit my coworker after he left the office around 8PM :-)) Most managers/directors only have a BA/B.COM/BSc degree. Managers will treat you like you're lucky to have a job. I was in Allstate(Northbrook, IL) project and the culture is pathetic, you will be asked to work all night on weekends/weekdays and no recognition for your efforts if you are not a sycophant. Do not expect experience letter if you resign at onsite(it is considered a sin). Management is not transparent at all. You can be asked to leave onsite and relocate with a mere notice of 5-10 days. Do not expect your gratuity money, do not expect your PF. If you join as a fresher, it will be difficult to leave after 3-4 years because you will have no skills left. Syntel will not invest anything in you. I heard many freshers do not get offer letters. Internal structure is pathetic - development/QA/Pro support/management/business analyst all are in the same stream. Reimbursement of allowances is a headache. Do not expect syntel to file Green card. Do not expect project changes at onsite (that's for the bigger companies). Syntel cannot afford to keep a resource on bench at onsite for even a single day. If your position is cut at onsite, syntel will send you back to india even if you are an onsite recruit. They will NOT hunt a project for you. No 401K plan for onsite. No benefits related to life insurance, disability at onsite Average salary in chicago area: programmer analyst/Project lead B1 - 2700/3000 (plus salary in india) L1 - 2800/3200 after taxes for an unmarried employee (in addition you will also get your salary in India (so total is indian salary + 2800/3200)) H1 - 62,000/69000(no salary in india) This is clearly below par, I have worked for 2 other Indian outsourcing companies after syntel and salary was way more (atleast 20% more)
