What are the best and worst things about working at Microsoft?
By JobsBloggers Cindy Parrish and Heather McGough
Microsoft was once labeled the “Evil Empire.” Not surprisingly, our readers often ask us for the good, bad and possibly ugly reality of working for one of the world’s largest technology companies. But let’s begin with a disclaimer: Every employee would add or delete something from this list. So consider this post a subjective take from two recruiters with 18 years of combined Microsoft experience.
The Good
Microsoft products and technology have shaped and continue to create the modern world. In the very recent words of Oprah: “The Surface, Microsoft’s first tablet, feels like a Mercedes-Benz to me, people!”
Even TechCrunch recently said Microsoft has become “kind of cool.” We’re well-established of course, but we still offer exciting tech jobs that bring success and a desirable lifestyle to people all over the world. For the right road warrior, a job as a field engineer for Windows might mean it’s time to dust off an underused passport and get ready to travel in support of corporate customers.
For someone who loves to combine tech and business, there are many tech jobs that might be a good fit. Consider this SDET job, which would give the right person a new opportunity to gain experience with the latest Microsoft Cloud and enterprise-level technology.
As for our work ethic: We celebrate success but we don’t get complacent. We work autonomously on collaborative teams with smart, hardworking colleagues who push us to grow and think strategically. But at the same time, we genuinely care about each other’s interests outside of our 9-5 work.
The Not So Good, but not entirely ugly…
We love our gadgets. We show off our Windows Phones at soccer games, cocktail parties and even to people we just see on the street. Although these “sweet smartphones” allow us to work anytime, anywhere and any place, sometimes it’s hard to unplug. Your colleagues know they can find you even if it’s on a beach in Hawaii. But here’s the flip side: It’s a choice. People here want to succeed.
Today, Microsoft is perceived as the underdog. It’s likely that we will always be compared to other leading tech companies, but those comparisons fire us up. When friends and family need to do a quick bit of research and get ready to search their keyword, we politely encourage them to “Bing it!” We are inspired to build new, stronger, ever more reliable and COOL products. We’re making news with Surface and Xbox, with lots of fun underway. In fact, an envelope-pushing tech job listing has been posted on the Microsoft Careers website: We’re looking for software development engineers to work on Cloud TV .
For the two of us personally, a point of pride is working for the company Bill Gates co-founded in 1975. Whatever your take on Darth Vader, Bill Gates was one of the premier geeks who sparked the personal computing revolution. Not to mention: He is a generous humanitarian and philanthropic visionary.
If you ask us, Microsoft’s 15 minutes of fame are not up yet. The so-called empire in Redmond gives students, interns, people already in tech jobs, program managers, software developers, SDETs, and geeks just about everywhere an opportunity to succeed.
Let us know if you want updates on the new tech jobs. And in the meantime, we’re still thinking about your question. The answer: Depends on who you ask. Since you’re asking us, we say the seesaw is leaning in our direction. To go back to where we started: Oprah is all about how to “live your best life.” In our view, that’s for sure happening at Microsoft.
10 Comments
Mario Alvarez said:
I tried to work at Microsoft 2 times and both times I was a finalist. The first time you flight me to Redmond and the 2nd. Time I flew to Brazil, both times I was rejected and now I can't apply as a graduate any more since I graduated almost 2 years ago.
What's the best option for me to keep trying?
Raul Vicente said:
Hi there,I think that working to Microsoft its a dream work,i want to know how can i get a job to Microsoft,i´m taking a course (web designer & development)i´m 34 years old i live in Portugal but my dream is to work in this great company(Microsoft)in portugal or in any other place in the world,how can i get this?
Thanks
Best regards
Raul Vicente
Larry said:
Thanks for the post. I'm a Microsoft fan and have been for a while. While others have come up with some things first, Microsoft often found ways to be more encompasing or take them on. What people often don't appreciate is that Microsoft often gets involved in several areas at once whereas others stay in their niche - Bing vs Google but also vs Safari - Xbox vs Playstation vs Wii - Windows vs other software - Office vs other software - Windows phone 8 vs Iphone vs Android - Surface tablet vs Ipad vs Android tablets - cloud computing, products and services for enterprise
It does not mean that Microsoft is always top dog but they are players, sometimes ahead, sometimes the same as others and sometimes behind. I read the story of Xerox Park Project and Steve Jobs and then Bill Gates providing software for Apple and then came Windows 95. Microsoft gave Apple the sure footing it needed when Steve Jobs returned after his Pixar and Next experiences and that's one reason Apple is still around. Steve wanted to create products that are 'exceedingly great' and Bill wanted to put a computer on every desk and table in the world.
Thank God for both of them. I just think Bill had a longer view, a longer tail
Larry said:
Thanks for the post. I'm a Microsoft fan and have been for a while. While others have come up with some things first, Microsoft often found ways to be more encompasing or take them on. What people often don't appreciate is that Microsoft often gets involved in several areas at once whereas others stay in their niche - Bing vs Google but also vs Safari - Xbox vs Playstation vs Wii - Windows vs other software - Office vs other software - Windows phone 8 vs Iphone vs Android - Surface tablet vs Ipad vs Android tablets - cloud computing, products and services for enterprise
It does not mean that Microsoft is always top dog but they are players, sometimes ahead, sometimes the same as others and sometimes behind. I read the story of Xerox Park Project and Steve Jobs and then Bill Gates providing software for Apple and then came Windows 95. Microsoft gave Apple the sure footing it needed when Steve Jobs returned after his Pixar and Next experiences and that's one reason Apple is still around. Steve wanted to create products that are 'exceedingly great' and Bill wanted to put a computer on every desk and table in the world.
Thank God for both of them. I just think Bill had a longer view, a longer tail
Stephen Leverett said:
I believe the article is spot on. Microsoft was the "wild west" of companies when I worked there, but has since mellowed a bit.
I also encourage people to keep applying as the interviewing process can be challenging.
I hope to return to Microsoft when I find a good fit for my skills.
Keep up the good work!
E. Linn said:
Hi, in this post there is something missing.
Microsoft was a cool company 5 years ago, meanwhile it is a company where have to use your elbows to have a chance for your job. The reason for that is the stack ranking for FTEs. With this instrument, Microsoft has killed the culture in itself. 5 years ago people walk with a smile on their face over the floors in Microsoft buildings, in the last two years people look left and right, talk only with good"friends" it is a culture of fear in this company at the moment. People Managers have no respect for human, the must delievred optis and margin rankings. So the best times has gone and many people leave Microsoft.
Also the interacting with people who are older than 45 is respectless, Manager tell them that they are to old at that they have to leave the company.
Although you have veryy good technologie, a good salary but yu buy this with respectless interacting with people.
jeff shuey said:
Microsoft is a great company to work for. Like all companies they have their challenges, but I have to give Microsoft credit for doing a lot to make the work experience better. Sure, there are goofy and stilted policies ... especially related to reviews. However, if you ever get the chance to work for Microsoft ... take it.
Pankaj Nikam said:
Its super exciting to learn about the positive and negative things. Most people love to hide the negative points however, it was nice having a look on it. I am always a fan of Mr. Bill Gates - any Geek would respect the person like him. His passion towards whatever he does, makes him stand out from others. Thanks for such awesome post.
George Udamanalli said:
I am Inspired by "Microsoft" Environment and culture. Once upon a times i was an "Office Boy" for BGE Team Gachibowli Hyd India. now am doing my studies, i have realized that i need to study that's enough for me to work in Microsoft to bring the growth in my Personality development and learn more around the world.
Jeff Schreck said:
Microsoft: Good and bad.
Overall, the article is correct, if not a little understated. MS is a place where you can, and probably will work with the coolest technology available today (or even not available today which is even more fun :) ). The brilliant people that that can be found walking the halls is humbling, nobody should walk into a MS meeting or building thinking they are "all that".... because, your probably going to be walked over by that guy that looks like a street person sitting in the corner during the meeting, and that's kinda fun because you know you will be challenged and it wont be boring. The ability to work with / on different platforms or technology points is unparalleled, people can knock on windows about "crashing" or whatever and that's fine, there is no operating system sold that covers as many platform configurations as windows does.
That was the good....
There has been, over the last 5ish years, a repressive culture that has crept into MS. This comes from the review system that is in place, the massive management vacuum especially at the Lead, GM and Director levels, it levels out a little at the C level but not a whole lot. With these aspects in mind your career is at the mercy of one, typically untrained, persons whims. You are put against your own team competitively, kinda like voting someone off the island because someone is forced to be tagged as failing..... typically, that will eventually be you and there is nothing you can do about it.
The technology that is being proliferated by MS right now is a gamble from the top, it may work, it has great potential. The opportunity to influence that offering as an employee at MS is less than it once was, its not encouraged anymore, but it is still possible to do if you are really willing to put it out there.
Some of that sounds a little hard and it is, MS has some very significant challenges to address and soon, but overall it is a great company to be associated with, the perks are fantastic and the smart smart people are a joy to be around.
So... short answer:
Best things: Cool tech, cutting edge, and allll over the map. Great, smart smart smart people.
Worst Things: Untrained management, toxic (and meaningless) review process, little product influence.
If you want to work there, its best to get in the door via contract / consultant job and see about turning that over to FTE via current group or connections, going through the front door of the career site is unlikely.