Should I leave Infosys for IBM ASE? Need advice from Infosys/IBM employees & experienced freshers
Hi everyone, I’m confused between continuing at Infosys vs joining IBM, and I’d really appreciate honest opinions from people currently working at Infosys/IBM, former employees, or freshers who have faced a similar situation.
My current situation
I’m a Master’s/MCA graduate.
Joined Infosys in November 2025 as a System Engineer.
Training completed on 15 May 2026, after which I was posted to Bangalore DC.
Since then, I haven’t been allocated a proper project.
From what I’ve observed, many available projects are mainly support/maintenance-oriented, rather than development-focused.
Current CTC: ₹3.6 LPA → around ₹22–23K/month in hand.
Infosys does have the advantage of a relatively flexible/hybrid work culture.
IBM opportunity
Received an LOI from IBM on 10 July 2026 for Associate System Engineer (ASE).
Currently waiting for the final offer letter.
Expected CTC: ₹4.5 LPA (~30% hike).
Expected in-hand: around ₹30–31K/month.
What I’m confused about
1. Should I move from Infosys to IBM?
Considering salary, work culture, WLB, project quality, technologies, learning opportunities, career growth and brand value, would IBM be a better choice at this stage?
2. What kind of work does an IBM ASE usually get?
Is there a reasonable chance of development-oriented work and learning technologies, or can ASE roles also become mostly support?
3. Location is important to me.
Infosys has been difficult regarding North Indian locations. How flexible is IBM with location/posting? Is Noida/Gurgaon/Delhi-NCR realistically possible?
The biggest complication — Infosys probation
My Infosys probation is expected to end around 1 April 2027, and I’ve been told that if I leave during probation and want my experience/relieving documents, I may have to pay around ₹1 lakh.
So:
4. If IBM is hiring me as a fresher/ASE despite me currently working at Infosys, should I pay the ₹1 lakh and join IBM with my Infosys experience officially documented?
Or:
5. Can I join IBM as a fresher without taking an experience/relieving letter from Infosys?
Someone told me an experience/relieving letter may not be mandatory if IBM is hiring me as a fresher. Is this actually true, and what risks would I be taking?
6. If I join IBM as a fresher without providing Infosys experience documents, and after 1–2 years switch to another company, will my Infosys experience still be considered? Or would I effectively lose those years of experience?
I’m trying to make this decision based on long-term career growth, not just the immediate salary hike.
Would really appreciate honest opinions from Infosys employees/former employees, IBM employees/former employees, and freshers who have faced a similar situation.
If you were in my position, would you stay at Infosys or take the IBM ASE opportunity? Why?