Hi, I'm Gretchen Ledgard, founder and editor of Microsoft's JobsBlog. But my big, big project? http://microsoft.com/careers.
My job is to use the web (both traditional methods and social media in all its glory) to build tighter connections between Microsoft, our employees, and the people we'd love to hire ... maybe you? :)
Want to learn more? Follow me on twitter.
Our friends over on the Channel 9 team (as well as all of us here at Microsoft) hope you have a very fun and safe Halloween weekend!
You may have heard about our plans to open Microsoft retail stores in cities around the world. Well, I know a lot of you have heard because the JobsBloggers have been getting peppered with questions. :)
We’ve recently announced our first two stores in Scottsdale, AZ and Mission Viejo, CA. And we’re now hiring!
CareerBuilder and CNN recently published the 43 weirdest things said in job interviews. If you've interviewed many people yourself, what are some funny responses you've heard?
We've sure heard our fair share of odd comments around here, too. The JobsBloggers will chime in with our war stories, too. And a few of our favorites from CareerBuilder and CNN's list after the jump.
Dear JobsBlog: What can you tell me about working in technical support at Microsoft? I see a lot of info on what it’s like to work on an engineering team but not a lot about support. Help!
-Support Guru
Dear Support Guru: I asked Heather from the Microsoft Customer Service & Support Careers Blog to stop by and share how to learn more about careers in Customer Service & Support (CSS). Others have been asking for more info on CSS, too, so look for more technical support and services careers info here on JobsBlog soon!
Gretchen
Dear JobsBlog: After working for 9+ years as a technical lead, I am now considering a change in career path and am seriously considering the Program Manager role. I work at a start-up and wear multiple hats like meeting customers, working with development teams, managing schedules, resource planning and risk analysis. I read the Zen of PM article, and I think I do some of it.
I can see it is quite possible for someone from within Microsoft to change gears from SDE or SDET roles to a PM role. Do you see that happening to someone from outside? Do you have any specific advice for me in this regard -- like to get my resume noticed, given that I am coming from a dev background?
-Pondering PM
Dear Pondering PM: Program Management isn’t a consistent discipline across the technical industry, and as Steven Sinofsky blogged, “PM is unique to Microsoft and I think it is fair to say this is a role that is often copied but never duplicated.” The good news is, when hiring from outside Microsoft, we rarely interview people who have already been PMs because, well, there just aren’t many!
As you’ve probably seen in the headlines today, there are changes happening at Microsoft including some job eliminations.
In case you are wondering … Yes, Microsoft is still hiring with a focus on our most important business priorities and areas of opportunity and growth. We continually update our careers website to reflect the most current available jobs.
At nearly 5 years old, JobsBlog was feeling all growns up ... and we decided it was time to move to our very own home ... http://microsoftjobsblog.com. Our new site is live, and comments are back on. We invite you to head on over and check it out. If you've bookmarked our old url or subscribed to our old feed, you should redirect seamlessly.
Here at JobsBlog, we're packing our bags, but don't worry ... we're not going anywhere. Based on reader feedback, we're moving JobsBlog to our own website (yay!) where we can provide richer and deeper information on job searching, resume writing, interviewing, and working at Microsoft. Nothing about our blog will change, and everything should redirect seamlessly. But for those of you who just like to check in from time to time to get specific information, this new site should help tons.
Dear JobsBlog: I see the Microsoft Connector shuttles all over the Seattle area. How and where would I apply to be a driver for the Connector shuttle service? – Connector Curious Dear "Connector Curious": We get this question a lot. Many facilities-related roles at Microsoft are staffed and managed by...
Episode 2 of "Get Hired @ MSFT" is here ... and this time Microsoft Recruiter Theresa de la Osa and Program Manager (and new employee) Tharika Chandrasekhar give you the inside scoop and tips for what to expect when a recruiter contacts you about a job at Microsoft. In case you missed it, check out Episode...
It's Friday, and I'm headed out to the fair ... but until we're back next week, express your inner PC. :) http://imapc.lifewithoutwalls.com/ Oh, and we're PCs ... and we're hiring. ;-)...
Dear JobsBlog: I’m concerned about how to focus my resume. For instance, when listing my professional experience, should I only list past accomplishments that relate to the job I’m applying for? Or list all my big accomplishments? - Over-Accomplished Dear Accomplished: When it comes to accomplishments...
A couple weeks ago, Ariel and I had a meeting in Microsoft's South Lake Union location (in Seattle proper) so we decided to hang out in the Touchdown Space for the afternoon. We reserved our own desks, but we opted instead to chill on some rather comfy couches. Ariel was kind enough to snap some pictures...
One of my big projects in the last year has been the View<myWorld> websites. I think View<myWorld> is unique because it really does give you a glimpse of what it's like to work at Microsoft. And as the keeper of the site, I can vouch for its authenticity. But did you know we have a family...
Microsoft's "green" initiatives have generated quite a bit of buzz lately. What does this mean for Microsoft employees? Francois Ajenstat, Director of Environmental Sustainability here at Microsoft, stopped by JobsBlog to answer a few of my questions. Who are the Greenies? And what's with those new compostable...
Last week, Scott offered a few tips about job searching and working outside the US . Now get a glimpse into where Scott and his team work: the Microsoft Development Center Copenhagen (MDCC). Microsoft Development Center Copenhagen...
While Tweetscanning for 'Microsoft interview' , I ran across the most detailed blog post I've ever read about the Microsoft interview experience: My Microsoft Interview Experience , by Ben Watson. If you're wondering what it's really like to interview at Microsoft - from application all the way to an...
Summer at Microsoft means internship time (as you've probably gathered by other recent posts here on JobsBlog :). And in recruiting and HR, we also host interns who, as part of their Microsoft experience, work in teams on a project of their choice. Last year, a few HR interns produced a " href="http...
The summer Olympic Games kick off today, and in case you can't make it, the Popfly team brings the games to you. They've created 10 games from gymnastics to boxing to swimming to soccer. And guess what? You can create your own games, too. :) And for the tie in to jobs at Microsoft (you knew that was...
This ERE article - A Recruiter's Guide to Candidate Interview Prep - has some interesting insight into the candidate - recruiter - hiring manager relationship and offers up some sample questions you can ask interviewers on the big day, like ... Candidate Positioning Question 1: Defining their Skill Sets...
