Three potential employers, which do I choose?

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AlbinoGorilla

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#175381 26-Jun-2015 16:13

Hey guys,

So I'm in my last year of a Bachelor of Information Technology majoring in Information Security. I've been applying for graduate position for 2016. The three I applied for were Deloitte (Technology Consultant), Xero (Platform Services) and MSD (Analyst).

I've been asked to come back for a second interview with all three. If the unexpected happens, and I was to be offered a position with all three, do you have any recommendations/experience with these companies?

Appreciate any knowledge you can share!

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#1332244 26-Jun-2015 16:21

Pick the one offering the best opportunities for career progression, or at the very least the job you think you will enjoy the most. I wouldn't necessarily pick the highest paid... in fact, I didn't, as a graduate I took a job paying $3k less because the technology interested me more.

timmmay

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#1332286 26-Jun-2015 17:56

What type of role do you want to end up doing?

Xero would probably be the best place to work, leading edge technology, more of a startup culture. Deloitte you'd be a very small junior cog in a huge wheel, in a company that probably likes to work people hard and spit them out, but you'd probably end up on big projects. I've worked at MSD, I would go back but only as a contractor - they're trying to change their culture but it's not really a great place to work right now IMHO - ok to good I'd say. They have some great people, but the departments don't co-operate well, it's almost like they work against each other not with each other. Big complex environment though, which is a plus for experience. I'd probably go Xero in your position.

Lias

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#1332293 26-Jun-2015 18:17

My choices would be Xero > Deloittes > MSD

I interviewed at Xero a few years ago before turning it down for something else which I regret, used to work with someone who bailed from deloittes who basically said its not terrible but it's not great either, and have heard numerous horror stories about MSD.

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Inphinity

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#1332300 26-Jun-2015 18:30

I would go Xero of the three. I know a number of people who work there who can't speak highly enough about them as an employer. Deloittes would be ok, but perhaps a less 'fun' work environment than Xero is likely to be. MSD I have not done work for, nor do I know anyone who has, so can't comment. Based on work for other government departments, I'm not sure it'd be great (though probably has more stability and tolerance of being crap at your job than the other places, lol - seems to be the culture at some other govt depts I've worked in or with).

deadlyllama

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#1332301 26-Jun-2015 18:34

What sort of flavour of work do you expect to do / want to do / find interesting? Sysadminny stuff, software development, network design/admin, some combination of the above (i.e. devops)?

Product companies like Xero are great because there is some latitude to move about internally, you get to build things that stay around for a long time, and nobody makes you fill out timesheets.

Disclaimer: I've been in Xero Platform Services since before it had a name at all but will be gone in a couple of weeks, starting a new company which will require me to fill out timesheets...

alasta

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#1332373 26-Jun-2015 20:58

It really depends on what sort of culture you fit into.

MSD would be a bit beaurocratic and may leave you lacking a sense of achievement.

Xero would be similar to Trademe where I went for a couple of interviews recently. Trademe is a highly sought after employer and very hard to break into. It would be a great place to work if you are young and ambitious, but for me it didn't feel right because I am quite old fashioned and didn't feel like I would have proper control over the quality of my work.

I don't know anyone who has worked for Deloitte but I imagine they would be similar to the company I work for now - intensely frustrating but you can do well if you can build your credibility and manueouvre around the corporate politics.

AlbinoGorilla

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#1332380 26-Jun-2015 21:04

Thank you all for your replies. Really helpful, and I can see most suggest Xero which was probably my first choice as well. I will let you know how it all goes. Thanks again!

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AlbinoGorilla

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#1335855 2-Jul-2015 15:43

I've been offered a position at both Xero and Deloitte. Deloitte is junior technology consultant, while Xero is in the platform services on Security and Governance. Xero is paying more, with extra benefits. Deloitte I feel would pay better in the long run, and has a much clearer career progression. I feel like Xero would be a great pls e to work for a developer, but I'm a networking/security major.

Would really appreciate any futher help.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#1335898 2-Jul-2015 16:09

AlbinoGorilla: I've been offered a position at both Xero and Deloitte. Would really appreciate any futher help.

I say don't second guess your decisions, and stick with your first choice... Xero.

nakedmolerat

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#1335924 2-Jul-2015 16:20

SirHumphreyAppleby:
AlbinoGorilla: I've been offered a position at both Xero and Deloitte. Would really appreciate any futher help.

I say don't second guess your decisions, and stick with your first choice... Xero.

AlbinoGorilla: ...Deloitte I feel would pay better in the long run, and has a much clearer career progression. I feel like Xero would be a great pls e to work for a developer, but I'm a networking/security major.

Would really appreciate any futher help.

His first choice is Deloitte...

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#1335928 2-Jul-2015 16:22

nakedmolerat: His first choice was Deloitte...

Not according to his post 26-Jun-2015 21:04.

AlbinoGorilla

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#1335932 2-Jul-2015 16:25

You're both right. Initially Deloitte was my first choice. But in my reply I said Xero was my first choice, based on the other replies. Your arguing isn't helping me decide though :p

graemeh

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#1335935 2-Jul-2015 16:27

My view is working for Xero has the "cool factor", working for Deloitte has the "earn buckets of money in the future factor".

Make a list of pros and cons for each employer then go for the one you think you will be happiest working for.

deadlyllama

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#1336207 3-Jul-2015 09:27

Some questions you should think about. Some will matter more to you than others.

What do you really want -- money? fame? power? fun? A little of each?
What will your duties on the job be? What would you be doing on a day-to-day basis?
Whose dress code do you prefer?
Which workplace is easier to get to? I have a friend whose commute in Wellington was terrible because he'd bought a house in Petone and his (new) workplace was in Newtown...
What's the company culture like? Really the only way you can find this out is to talk to people working in the same area of the company you will be.

Sounddude

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#1336211 3-Jul-2015 09:32

Think big picture.

What do you want to be doing in 10 years. Which company will help you get there the fastest, while being an enjoyable place to work (ie working on projects that interest you the most).

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