Position:Service Desk Agents BC IBM

[Kamloops]

The company I work for (IBM) has posted some service desk positions in BC. These are no geographic and can be done from your home in BC.

ISM Canada won the contract to do all the IT Support for the BC Govt. It BCGEU Union jobs with full benifits and Public Service Pension Plan.

http://www.ismcanada.com/careers.jsp?docId=084FD01C5BD6940B062571010059B104

osting Date: January 25, 2006
Position: Service Desk Agent
Classification: Information Systems 18
Biweekly Salary: $1629.98 to $1859.85 PLUS 3.3% Temporary Market Adjustment
Department: Service Desk
Location: Victoria BC

[Steeve Urkel]

If you say in your post that there is no "geographic boundaries'' and one can work from home....Can ontario people apply for this job?

I used to work for IBM in Ottawa. Your office sounds better....

[CodecX81]

If you say in your post that there is no "geographic boundaries'' and one can work from home....Can ontario people apply for this job?

I used to work for IBM in Ottawa. Your office sounds better....
Usually if they have people working from home, they still need to connect your home line to their trunkline, which would require a local number.

I'm pretty sure theres some sort of provincial law that would require you to live in BC to have a job there as well, for tax purposes perhaps. But I'm not 100% on that.

[felix]

I'm interested as well, though I'm in Ontario. I used to work at IBM as well. If it's a phone number only issue, we can just sign up for a BC number through Vonage VOIP, Primus, etc.

[lilazncanadian]

this sounds interesting. Do you know if this position is full-time or is part-time possible? In addition, how does the "work from home" thing work? The posting seems to imply possible relocation to Victoria is necessary and there is no reimbursement for relocation.

[CodecX81]

How does the "work from home" thing work?

I know someone on this board that worked from home @ IBM for a yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar....:P and i hated him for it. haha.. I think its cheaper for large organizations to setup people from home, rather than conventional helpdesk, they don't have to pay for the real estate, have the infrastructure..etc.

Keep in mind though, that IBM rarely if ever hires someone permanent..it will usually be a 2 year contract, renewable..and I think its only 17/hr.. with a .50 raise per annum.

I think they paid a portion of their phone, and entirely for their internet connection, he got a laptop with a VPN installed on it...

roll out of bed @ 8:55 for a 9am shift...put on a headset.... surf pr0n... take call.... pr0n...cereal..pr0n.. ..pr0n.. ..pr0n.. lunch. Maybe a movie, nap.. ;)

[felix]

I know someone on this board that worked from home @ IBM for a yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar....:P and i hated him for it. haha.. I think they paid a portion of their phone, and entirely for their internet connection.

Wow ... are they hiring? If so, PM me. :)

[CodecX81]

Wow ... are they hiring? If so, PM me. :)
Felix, RFD tells me you need to clean out your PM bin to message you.

I *do* have the IBM HR job links on my Canadian job posting, located in my sig, you know ;) Here's the link for IBM. No idea if they are currently hiring, but keep an eye on it and you will eventually find an opportunity.

http://employmentopportunities.recruitsoft.com/frames/en/frameset.htm

[felix]

I *do* have the IBM HR job links on my Canadian job posting, located in my sig, you know ;)
Thanks, I know about the site already though. That's how I found my last job there. :) Most positions though are not posted .. and you can only apply if you know someone internally ..

[McLaren]

Gaargh, let me shed some light on this. It was I who use to do that two years ago for about 4 months, and I rolled out of bed at 7:55am for a 8am shift. I showered on the morning break, took a nap at lunch, and nap again on the afternoon break. Get to eat while on the phone and watch tv/play games/surf/pr0n whatever suits your style. They pay 18/hr, pay for your phone line/internet etc.

You can apply through Kelly services (kellyservices.ca), thats how they hire now, better yet, just call them, the office is the woodbine location. I still know a few guys still there, and they got faaaaaaaaat.... haha. So beware if you really want to work there, if so don't do for more than 6 months or you will be sucked into the world of fatness/lazyness/p0rn freak etc.

[felix]

You can apply through Kelly services (kellyservices.ca), thats how they hire now, better yet, just call them, the office is the woodbine location.
Seriously? No way. When I was there, Kelly employees were pretty much at the bottom of the food chain. It would go something like this : permanent reg > contract non-reg > Kelly temp employees

The pay rate reflects this too. Kelly employees were always the first leave when there's no work .. the turn over rate is only a few months (and their contracts end after 2 years so even if you're a good worker, you still have to wait 1 year before you can apply again). In fact if you don't like someone and you know they are from Kelly, just mention something to your supervisor and they will be gone. Sad but true.

[McLaren]

Yeah the majority of that helpdesk are contractors, I was a supplemental since it was a lateral transfer from another division.

[a2vr6]

Seriously? No way. When I was there, Kelly employees were pretty much at the bottom of the food chain. It would go something like this : permanent reg > contract non-reg > Kelly temp employees

The pay rate reflects this too. Kelly employees were always the first leave when there's no work .. the turn over rate is only a few months (and their contracts end after 2 years so even if you're a good worker, you still have to wait 1 year before you can apply again). In fact if you don't like someone and you know they are from Kelly, just mention something to your supervisor and they will be gone. Sad but true.


I remember working my first IT job at IBM over 4 years ago. The worst 1 1/2 years ever. Dont get me wrong, it was greate experience and looked good on the resume but you were treated like sh$t, paid crappily and had to put up with idiots for managers. I was contract for Kelly and there were plenty of office politics going on. They may have changed but I doubt from what I have heard. I would never go back in a million years at this point....

[felix]

^ were you at the 14th location? If so which module? Were you in PCC?

[a2vr6]

^ were you at the 14th location? If so which module? Were you in PCC?


Nope, Moatfield. They moved the desk to NC soon after I left to work for OPG. I worked in PC EU/Server and e-support.

[felix]

Oh, I've heard of Moatfield a few times .. so that's how to spell it. :cheesygri

[CodecX81]

Nope, Moatfield. They moved the desk to NC soon after I left to work for OPG. I worked in PC EU/Server and e-support.

Hey me too! I did US CDT support

CDTOBI25 Rox! (I miss those crazy IBM trainers)

[McLaren]

Hey me too! I did US CDT support

CDTOBI25 Rox! (I miss those crazy IBM trainers)

Meee tooo... I think we were in the same training class no? I drove by Moatfield the other day and they have this big FOR LEASE sign, man that building must be a ghost town now.

[CodecX81]

Meee tooo... I think we were in the same training class no? I drove by Moatfield the other day and they have this big FOR LEASE sign, man that building must be a ghost town now.

Yea we were.. lol Ahh.. sweet sweet memories of being manhandled by the boneybone and grifted for chicken wings by the guy who never finished highschool and lied to work at IBM.

It doesn't surprise me that they are looking for more suitable location for the callcentre..

No tech support or sales depts for commercial products...thats at least 3 floors..then theres the Operations that are migrating their employees to home-based operations, thats at least another floor...

that leaves 7 floors as an operation, minus the first floor since its just the cafeteria... nearly half the building must be empty :lol:

To be using a building

[commie]

I remember working my first IT job at IBM over 4 years ago. The worst 1 1/2 years ever. Dont get me wrong, it was greate experience and looked good on the resume but you were treated like sh$t, paid crappily and had to put up with idiots for managers. I was contract for Kelly and there were plenty of office politics going on. They may have changed but I doubt from what I have heard. I would never go back in a million years at this point....

You have to remember when you are critizing IBM, that its a large organization....YOu were doing Tech Support, the lowest of the low there...
Try to complain about what you were doing, not the company...Every company's support department sucks....
Casual readers will think the entire IBM is like that...

If IBM offers you a position in BCS(Consulting Services) or Sales or Development you won't go back????
Even though it might not be the best company to work for, I highly doubt you would turn that down....

sidenote: IBM stands for = Idiots Being Managers

[felix]

You have to remember when you are critizing IBM, that its a large organization....YOu were doing Tech Support, the lowest of the low there...

Trust me, tech support is NOT low on the food chain there. If you know of any openings for a tech support job at IBM, send me a PM. :)

[sucka]

Then what position is the bottom of the food chain there???. Janitors??? They probably put up with less **** than csr's.

[McLaren]

Trust me, tech support is NOT low on the food chain there. If you know of any openings for a tech support job at IBM, send me a PM. :)

Didn't you just say you use to work for IBM? Didn't you make any contacts before you left?

I think people that are lower than tech supoprt, are the IBM Call people... they answer general calls from the 1800 IBM number. All they do is direct calls...

[felix]

Yes I still have friends who work there, but they are not able to help me since they are all non-regs (ie. on contract and no access to internal job postings). Most of them have left already though .. like i said very quick turn around there. >:(

[commie]

Trust me, tech support is NOT low on the food chain there. If you know of any openings for a tech support job at IBM, send me a PM. :)

Not to sound arrogant or snobbish or anything....
But when we are talking about a $18/hr job...that is the low on the food chain within IBM..

Lemme take a look at the ePosting and see if there are anything there..

There was a big recruiting push in december...but those were for consulting roles..

[felix]

I'll gladly take that $18/hr job if it's a tech support position ..

[ieatkittens]

I'd take the tech support job too, so share on for us RFD'ers

[commie]

Trust me, tech support is NOT low on the food chain there. If you know of any openings for a tech support job at IBM, send me a PM. :)

Hmm..just a quick glance here is what I found: Not much internal postings for tech support...seems most of them are contractors....only postings are for Team Lead type of role.....
However, there are plenty of CSR type of roles like the one below.

***Order Support Representative – BY 00000001
Job Description
Apply Online
Description
The Order Support Centre (OSC) is responsible for the OEM Network Hardware to support the ITSA resale business. It provides pre-sales support, order management, and delivery support to customer(s) and the account team(s). The Order Support Representative will work closely with the IBM internal teams (Sales, Pre-sales SE, and Delivery), Manufacturers/Vendors and Customers to ensure that the customer requirements (ie delivery dates) can be met. This includes verfiying the product configuration, and providing product quotation and delivery estimates.
Qualifications
- Familiarity with the ITSA Transactional business,
- Understanding of ITSA contracting tools, namely SDW/CFTS,
- Interest in the Networking environment would be an asset,
- Basic financial and accounting concepts,
- Strong communication skills at all levels,
- BRIO, Lotus and Microsoft Suite of tools.

[felix]

Hmm..just a quick glance here is what I found: Not much internal postings for tech support...seems most of them are contractors....only postings are for Team Lead type of role.....

Can you post those team lead type roles? Are they in Markham and if so which location? Can anyone from the inside refer those of us from the outside? :)

[a2vr6]

You have to remember when you are critizing IBM, that its a large organization....YOu were doing Tech Support, the lowest of the low there...
Try to complain about what you were doing, not the company...Every company's support department sucks....
Casual readers will think the entire IBM is like that...

If IBM offers you a position in BCS(Consulting Services) or Sales or Development you won't go back????
Even though it might not be the best company to work for, I highly doubt you would turn that down....

sidenote: IBM stands for = Idiots Being Managers

I HIGHLY disagree that every support department sucks. I have been doing support for years and have NEVER encountered the type of management and treatment of there workers like IBM. Just because you are lower on the food chain doesnt mean you have to be treated like garbage. Working for a company that has Team leads and managers calling out your name because you have been in not ready for 2 minutes or a couple minutes over lunch isn't a place you want to be.

Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of other companies like IBM (heard Clientlogic is one of them) but every other 1st level support job afterwards was exponentially better! Believe me, Managers and directors get there rear ends kicked to curb also. IBM has too much to answer to, being a blue chip stock. So the workers are the ones to suffer.

Avoid IBM at all costs, they will drain you and then use your empty husk as a piss pot. LOL....

[sleepyguy]

wow! never knew ibm was that bad for support level work. I know a guy who programs there and really likes it! I guess each dept is treated vastly different.

[CodecX81]

wow! never knew ibm was that bad for support level work. I know a guy who programs there and really likes it! I guess each dept is treated vastly different.

Oh for sure!!!

Programmers are IBM's bread and butter ;)
You'll most likely find a lot of that type of employee @ IBM HQ in Markham. Wayy different environment there too. The programmers were really innovative too. I remember there was an intranet chat client that linked everyone in the entire organization, kinda like IM/IRC built into one.

I once did a public poll, to see how many people were actually using the chat client.. I was getting responses from Africa, Asia.... :P

IBM, crap to work for if you are not making them money.
But fun as hell to use the time-wasting resources built by people who do..lol


Sidenote, I am sleepy & I think its funny that right under felix's post is a post for the same request, but from 'fiEATkittens'

felix is a pet advocate and iEATkittens ...well. eats kittens.

ahh I need more sleep.

[commie]

Oh for sure!!!

Programmers are IBM's bread and butter ;)
You'll most likely find a lot of that type of employee @ IBM HQ in Markham. Wayy different environment there too. The programmers were really innovative too. I remember there was an intranet chat client that linked everyone in the entire organization, kinda like IM/IRC built into one.

I once did a public poll, to see how many people were actually using the chat client.. I was getting responses from Africa, Asia.... :P

IBM, crap to work for if you are not making them money.
But fun as hell to use the time-wasting resources built by people who do..lol


Sidenote, I am sleepy & I think its funny that right under felix's post is a post for the same request, but from 'fiEATkittens'

felix is a pet advocate and iEATkittens ...well. eats kittens.

ahh I need more sleep.

you must be talking about the ICT - IBM community tools...
Those public polls gets so ignoring after awhile....we have people from all over starting those public jams about nothing......some of the recent 'jams' topics include:
- happy aussie day
- does ibm have hot chicks?
- is partying a prequiste for the weekend
etc...

What is a great tool, can sometimes get abused to waste everyone's time, when we see that little popup box with new msg all the time, and its crap..
whats even more embarrassing is having that box up while doing a presentation to the client and they see what type of messages our IBMers are sending to each other...hahaha

[commie]

I HIGHLY disagree that every support department sucks. I have been doing support for years and have NEVER encountered the type of management and treatment of there workers like IBM. Just because you are lower on the food chain doesnt mean you have to be treated like garbage. Working for a company that has Team leads and managers calling out your name because you have been in not ready for 2 minutes or a couple minutes over lunch isn't a place you want to be.

Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of other companies like IBM (heard Clientlogic is one of them) but every other 1st level support job afterwards was exponentially better! Believe me, Managers and directors get there rear ends kicked to curb also. IBM has too much to answer to, being a blue chip stock. So the workers are the ones to suffer.

Avoid IBM at all costs, they will drain you and then use your empty husk as a piss pot. LOL....


You can say avoid IBM's support department...But do you know how many other areas that they have? It doesn't mean every other department is like that.

If you are a Revenue generator, then life is good....If you are a cost center, then you will be the first to go....And Support is a cost center.

[boonjaca]

Gaargh, let me shed some light on this. It was I who use to do that two years ago for about 4 months, and I rolled out of bed at 7:55am for a 8am shift. I showered on the morning break, took a nap at lunch, and nap again on the afternoon break. Get to eat while on the phone and watch tv/play games/surf/pr0n whatever suits your style. They pay 18/hr, pay for your phone line/internet etc.

You can apply through Kelly services (kellyservices.ca), thats how they hire now, better yet, just call them, the office is the woodbine location. I still know a few guys still there, and they got faaaaaaaaat.... haha. So beware if you really want to work there, if so don't do for more than 6 months or you will be sucked into the world of fatness/lazyness/p0rn freak etc.

So McLaren, what do you do now since you left that cozy position??? :D

[CodecX81]

So McLaren, what do you do now since you left that cozy position??? :D
gonna give him 5 minutes before I answer for him. ;)

you must be talking about the ICT - IBM community tools...
Those public polls gets so ignoring after awhile....we have people from all over starting those public jams about nothing......some of the recent 'jams' topics include:
- happy aussie day
- is partying a prequiste for the weekend
etc...
YES!
God I miss that tool.

[McLaren]

So McLaren, what do you do now since you left that cozy position??? :D

I call in sick 3 times in 2 weeks now, thats what i do.

[boonjaca]

Man and they don't give you **** at work, must be a real cushy job like the gov. or something... :D

[a2vr6]

You can say avoid IBM's support department...But do you know how many other areas that they have? It doesn't mean every other department is like that.

If you are a Revenue generator, then life is good....If you are a cost center, then you will be the first to go....And Support is a cost center.


I know programmers to managers that feel exactly like I do.

[podgerkev]

Anyone know if IBM has part-time support jobs available? I have a full-time job but this kind of work from home would be nice for extra cash on my days and nights off....

[commie]

I know programmers to managers that feel exactly like I do.


I could find you entry-level, programmers, managers, c-levels of any organization that complains about their job and company...

Everyone thinks the grass is always greener on the other side.

It really depends on the the person and job responsiblity...And the management they are working with...
From the same company, one manager can be great to work with, while another manager is a prick......
Then you have 1 employee complaining about how bad the company is...and the other employee phrasing how good it is...

[a2vr6]

I could find you entry-level, programmers, managers, c-levels of any organization that complains about their job and company...

Everyone thinks the grass is always greener on the other side.

It really depends on the the person and job responsiblity...And the management they are working with...
From the same company, one manager can be great to work with, while another manager is a prick......
Then you have 1 employee complaining about how bad the company is...and the other employee phrasing how good it is...


I understand your probably one of the very few that seems to like to work for ibm or had good experience with them but I can name over 30 people from varying positions that will tell you the EXACT oposite. Every large company that I have worked at after being at IBM had a totally different vibe in every department.

You remind me of the people that were sent away to those 1 week "retreats" when they became regulars at IBM and came back big blue cheerleaders.

[commie]

I understand your probably one of the very few that seems to like to work for ibm or had good experience with them but I can name over 30 people from varying positions that will tell you the EXACT oposite. Every large company that I have worked at after being at IBM had a totally different vibe in every department.

You remind me of the people that were sent away to those 1 week "retreats" when they became regulars at IBM and came back big blue cheerleaders.

Hahaha...you have got to be kidding right? There are over 20,000 people working for IBM in Canada. and over 150,000 over the world...
And I am one of the few that enjoys working there? You mean all those 20,000 are bitter/unhappy??

Problem is, the ones that are unhappy or had a bad time, will be the vocal ones.....You never hear the ones that are contend with the firm...

Like I said earlier, it really depends on the individuals and the situation...if you are working with/for a prick, then your experience will be different. Also no matter what, there will be people that like to complain no matter where they are..

BTW - no i am not brainwashed into a cheerleaders....In fact, I am probably one of the biggest critics of IBM.......But when I complain about my job, I know enough to differentiate the work and people from the company...I am in the consulting arm, I know its very much different from working for Software, hardware, Sales, etc...The HR policies are different, the management style is different.....Companies like that is like having 10 different companies within the firm...

Someone working in one area of a big company, complaining how bad it is and making it sound like its like that for the entire firm...
Its also like someone working for a bank....working in the Branch teller, hating the work..and saids 'CIBC' is a bad company to work for.....See how crazy that assertion is? Someone working at headoffice, or CIBC's World Markets will have a different story to tell...

Its also like someone visiting Toronto...and only stays in Scarbourgh...then complains that Toronto is a terrible city......

People have to realize they are only a small peice to an organization...

[a2vr6]

Hahaha...you have got to be kidding right? There are over 20,000 people working for IBM in Canada. and over 150,000 over the world...
And I am one of the few that enjoys working there? You mean all those 20,000 are bitter/unhappy??

Problem is, the ones that are unhappy or had a bad time, will be the vocal ones.....You never hear the ones that are contend with the firm...

Like I said earlier, it really depends on the individuals and the situation...if you are working with/for a prick, then your experience will be different. Also no matter what, there will be people that like to complain no matter where they are..

BTW - no i am not brainwashed into a cheerleaders....In fact, I am probably one of the biggest critics of IBM.......But when I complain about my job, I know enough to differentiate the work and people from the company...I am in the consulting arm, I know its very much different from working for Software, hardware, Sales, etc...The HR policies are different, the management style is different.....Companies like that is like having 10 different companies within the firm...

Someone working in one area of a big company, complaining how bad it is and making it sound like its like that for the entire firm...
Its also like someone working for a bank....working in the Branch teller, hating the work..and saids 'CIBC' is a bad company to work for.....See how crazy that assertion is? Someone working at headoffice, or CIBC's World Markets will have a different story to tell...

Its also like someone visiting Toronto...and only stays in Scarbourgh...then complains that Toronto is a terrible city......

People have to realize they are only a small peice to an organization...


Fine. Anyone interested in working IT/Sales for IBM do your homework. Unless you really need the job or they are paying a good bit more then keep looking. There are plenty of jobs in this field.