Company: IBM
Date: 2015-09-20
Overall rating: 2/5
Employment status: former
Experience level: Senior

The company I left is not the same one that hired me
Pros: With a company as large as IBM experiences will vary, but for me the best part of working at IBM was my peers. I worked with many amazingly talented individuals. We accomplished things I wouldn't have thought possible, especially considering how poorly we were supported by the business.
Sadly many of the other positive things I would have had to say about IBM in the past have disappeared in recent years.
Cons: So, so many...
You will be underpaid. By a lot. I'm kicking myself now for waiting so long to find out what my skills are worth on the open market.
The health benefits, which were once excellent, have gotten worse every year. Your options now are basically roll the dice with a high-deductible/HSA plan & hope you don't have to go to the doctor, or pay through the nose for a PPO.
Retirement plan is decent, though for new hires probably no better than the industry average. Be warned that you only get your matching funds if you are still employed by IBM as of December 15. This was changed in 2014.
As a line employee, your first line manager is basically worthless. Even if you have a "great" manager who is willing to go to bat for you, first lines have so little discretionary authority that their value to you is almost nil. On the other hand, a terrible first line can make your life hell and do real damage to your career.
IBM isn't a place where the gal who works hard quietly in the corner is going to do well. If you want to be recognized, promoted or get a raise you need to be playing office politics constantly. You need to be currying favor with all of the managers in your second line area.