Questions to Ask Before Joining an IT Services Company
The questions to ask HR and your interviewer before joining an Indian IT services or consulting firm: bench policy, project allocation, service bonds, location, appraisal cycles and variable pay.
Updated
Joining an IT services or consulting company isn't like joining a product company. Your day-to-day depends far more on which project, client and location you're allocated to than on the company's overall culture — and the offer letter usually doesn't tell you which one you'll get. These are the questions worth asking before you accept, and what a good answer sounds like.
Project allocation and the bench
"Which project or client is this role for, and is it confirmed?" Some roles are hired for a specific project; others are general hiring where you'll be allocated after joining. Neither is wrong, but you should know which one you're accepting. A good answer names the client domain, tech stack and team size.
"What happens if I'm not allocated to a project — what's the bench policy?" Ask how long people typically stay on the bench, whether there's a time limit, and what's expected of you during that time. Vague answers here are worth noting, especially if you're joining in a slow hiring period.
"How are project changes decided?" Can you ask to move projects or tech stacks, and after how long? Who decides — you, your manager, or a resource management team?
Location and work model
"Which location am I being hired for, and can that change?" Many offer letters say you can be transferred to any location or client site. Ask how often that actually happens for your role, and whether a transfer is voluntary.
"What's the work-from-office policy for this team or client?" Client contracts often decide this, not the company. Ask about the specific team, not the company-wide policy.
Service bonds and minimum tenure
"Is there a service bond or minimum-tenure agreement, and what does it cover?" Some IT services companies, especially for freshers, ask new joiners to sign a bond to recover training costs if they leave early. Read it before you sign. Indian courts have generally held that an employer can recover a reasonable amount reflecting genuine, provable loss — typically actual training costs — rather than an arbitrary penalty, and that restrictions on where you can work after you leave are generally unenforceable. That doesn't make every bond void, so ask:
- What exact amount is recoverable, and does it reduce over time?
- What training is it tied to?
- Are original documents (certificates, mark sheets) being held? Ask for this to be confirmed in writing; holding original documents is a common source of disputes.
Appraisals, variable pay and growth
"When is the appraisal cycle, and will I be eligible in my first one?" If you join a few months before the cycle, you may not be eligible for a full appraisal until the following year. That affects your first raise more than the offer itself.
"What percentage of variable pay was actually paid out last year?" Variable pay is usually shown at 100% in the CTC. The real payout depends on company, unit and individual performance. Ask for last year's actual figure for your band.
"What does promotion to the next level usually take?" Ask for typical time in level and what the criteria are. "It depends on performance" is a non-answer; ask what someone who was promoted recently did differently.
Working hours and client time zones
"What time zone is the client in, and what are the team's core hours?" Overlap calls with US or European clients often decide your real working hours. Ask whether late calls are occasional or daily, and whether there's on-call or weekend support.
Check what employees say
Interview answers tell you the policy. Employee reviews tell you how it works in practice, especially for bench time, appraisals and working hours. Read them by role and recency — see how to read company reviews — and if a pattern shows up, ask about it directly in your next conversation.
Once you've joined and seen how it really works, add your own review. It's anonymous and takes about two minutes, and it's what the next person in your position will rely on.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For anything in a bond or contract you're unsure about, get specific advice before signing.