Avoid this Company for Software Development roles unless you have 5-7+ yrs exp. - A warning during economic downturn
Pros
I have been working for this company for several months as a full stack developer and was initially hired under the assumption that I would be immediately placed on a project. However, upon arrival, I discovered that they had no work for me. Instead of laying me off, they have recently assigned me to a project that does not align with the job description for which I was hired. I have been stuck on the bench for several months, watching my career gap grow on my resume and now find myself faced with a difficult choice: either stay with Avanade and watch my career suffer, or quit and struggle financially. A layoff with a severance package (or even just firing me, giving me access to unemployment) would have been the more humane option, but instead, the company has kept me on the bench for months and now presents me with an ultimatum. They fail to take responsibility for over hiring and the impact of the economic downturn on their staffing needs. It is unclear to me how Avanade is still in operation. Other positive reviews may be from long-term employees who were already placed on projects before the economic crash, so they have a vastly different experience. Keep this in mind when considering working here. The only positive aspect is that the company paid me for several months while I was on the bench, allowing me to search for internal and external job opportunities, but the emotional toll and stress of this situation has not been worth it.
Cons
This is a warning for anyone considering working for this company. The company is currently experiencing a large number of employees on the "bench," meaning that they do not have any real work available and many employees are spending their time interviewing internally and networking for potential projects. Developers are being placed on projects that do not align with their job description and are more suited for business analysts. If you value your career as a developer, you should be aware that working here could lead to a significant gap in your resume and you will not gain valuable skills. While the company may try to downplay the situation, it is likely to negatively impact your career. There are a few technical projects available, but the internal interview process to be placed on one is competitive, and it is unlikely that you will be successful unless you have 5+ years of experience. Keep in mind the date of my post, when the economy improves in the tech sector this situation may change, but for now, even if you are desperate for a job, it is best to continue searching for other opportunities.
