Microsoft is one of the world’s most well-known and respected technology companies. With a global presence and employees all over the globe, it’s no wonder why job seekers are curious about what it’s like to work there.
Microsoft has become synonymous with innovation and technological advancement. What does working at Microsoft look like? Is it as glamorous as they say?
In this blog post, we’ll look at what it’s like to work at Microsoft, from the benefits and perks you can expect to the culture and atmosphere of the company.
We’ll also cover some common interview questions that you may be asked if you apply for a Microsoft job.
So, whether you’re just curious or considering applying for a job at Microsoft, read on for an inside look at what it’s like to work there!
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What It’s Really Like Working for Microsoft
Microsoft is one of the most recognizable brands in the world, and with good reason. Founded in 1975, the tech giant has been around since before many of us even knew how to spell “computer.”
Although the company has changed hands several times over the decades, it’s still headquartered in Redmond, Washington, and is now owned by billionaire investor Warren Buffett.
The company has grown rapidly over the past few decades, becoming one of the largest corporations in the United States.
There are plenty of perks for those lucky enough to land a job at Microsoft. According to a source, the average employee salary is $136,000 per year.
Employees enjoy a generous benefits package, including health insurance, vision coverage, dental care, life insurance, paid holidays, and 401(k) matching contributions.
Regarding working conditions, workers tend to report being treated fairly and having a positive experience overall.
In addition to salaries and benefits, Microsoft offers several perks to keep employees happy. Workers receive free food, coffee, snacks, lunches, and dinners daily. They also receive discounts on gym memberships and tickets to sporting events, concerts, and plays.
And for those who want to take advantage of a corporate discount, Microsoft provides a wide range of programs, such as tuition reimbursement, tuition assistance, and tuition deferrals.
CEO Receives Accolades
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella received praise from investors and analysts during his annual shareholder meeting. He was praised for being “very good at what he does,” CNBC reported.
In addition to praising Nadella, analysts noted that Microsoft had been able to increase revenue despite slowing hiring. They also pointed out that the company’s cloud computing division had increased its market share.
However, some shareholders criticized the company’s performance under Nadella’s leadership. One investor told CNBC that Microsoft “isn’t doing well.” Another said that the company needs to cut costs.
Nadella acknowledged that Microsoft could do better, saying that the company needed to improve its communication with customers.
One of the Most Valuable Brands in the World
According to Brand Finance, Microsoft is one of the world’s most valuable brands. The firm says it has a brand value of $145 billion, making it the third largest brand behind Apple ($215 billion) and Samsung ($210 billion).
The study attributes Microsoft’s success to its ability to adapt to changing technology and consumer preferences. In addition, the firm has maintained its position despite competition from rivals such as Google and Facebook.
Office politics and burnout among employees
Microsoft employees seem generally happy, but people grumble about some aspects of the job, like work/life balance. Some employees say it’s better now than it used to be, while others say it hasn’t changed much.
One of those things is work-life balance; employees say it’d improved over time. For example, one employee says she feels less stressed since becoming a manager at Microsoft. Another says she doesn’t feel too stressed anymore because she works fewer hours than her peers.
Nadella has talked a ton about work/life balance, suggesting people should use harmony instead of credit.
According to him, what he means by this is having passion and meaning in what you’re doing, which prevents burnout and makes sure you don’t lose yourself in work. He suggests people find something that inspires them and helps them grow professionally.
Despite this, some employees say they still feel burnt out working for a large technology company that expects them to work hard.
Excellent Compensation and Benefits
Microsoft offers some of the best compensation packages around. It’s ranked No. 2 on the list of highest-paying companies compiled by Glassdoor.com.
The software giant pays its employees an average of $119,000 per annum, according to PayScale, making it the second highest-paid employer in the United States behind Walmart.
Getting a Job at Microsoft
If you’re looking for a career inside one of the world’s most recognizable brands, it helps to know what you want to do. And while most people dream of working at Microsoft someday, the reality is that there are many different jobs within the company.
There are plenty of opportunities to work at Microsoft, from software engineers to graphic designers to customer support agents.
However, like any big corporation, Microsoft is known for its lengthy hiring processes. You’ll probably spend months or even years applying for positions before you land a position with the company. Once you finally do, you’ll likely find that your experience isn’t exactly what you expected.
How Difficult Is It to Get Hired by Microsoft?
Microsoft’s head of global talent acquisition, Chuck Edward, shared his insights about the company’s recruitment process during an interview with a publication. He said the company receives around 2 million applications each year, and it takes several months to hire someone.
He says the company makes a conscious effort to look for talented people regardless of their background, including race, gender, and age.
He adds that Microsoft uses artificial intelligence to find potential hires on LinkedIn, a social media site purchased in 2016. This helps the company identify qualified candidates who might otherwise go unnoticed.
According to Edward, the company also relies heavily on referrals to fill open positions. Recruiters are tasked with finding the best candidates among those referred to them.
You’ll need to submit your resume to the company’s online application system if you want to apply for a position at Microsoft. You can do this directly from their careers portal or via email.
Once the company has received your application, they’ll send you a confirmation email asking whether you’d like to be considered for the position. From there, you’ll receive an invitation to interview.
Interviews happen over Skype and can include up to three rounds of interviews. Once selected, you’ll be asked to sign a contract and pay a fee to join the company.
If you don’t get hired, you won’t hear anything from Microsoft for six weeks. During that period, you’ll have access to the company’s training programs, but you won’t be able to work unless you’re offered a full-time position.
Microsoft Job Application
If you want to work for Microsoft, there are three ways to go about it. You can do what most people do and head straight to the company’s career site. Or, you could use one of the many third-party sites, like Glassdoor. Indeed, Monster, Career Builder, Hired, etc., to look up jobs. And finally, you could reach out directly to a Microsoft recruiter via LinkedIn.
The latter option is probably the best way to land a job at Microsoft because it allows you to speak directly with a recruiter rather than wading through dozens of generic job listings. In addition, since recruiters aren’t looking at every single job listing, they’ll be able to give you personalized attention.
Microsoft Application and Interview Process
When applying for jobs at Microsoft, there are many different steps involved. After receiving an application, the recruiter would review the resume and send it to one of the hiring managers, who would then pass it along to another team member.
This process could continue for weeks, depending on whether or not the applicant had met certain qualifications. Once qualified, the candidate would receive an invitation to attend a tech test.
If successful, they would then be invited to meet with the hiring manager for an hour-long interview where the candidate would answer questions like why they wanted to join Microsoft, their strengths and weaknesses, and their skills.
Lastly, the candidate would be offered a job conditional upon passing the final round of interviews.
Microsoft Interview Questions
Here are some of the questions Microsoft asks job candidates:
- How would you influence the team around you?
- Tell me about a time when your team was in a tough spot and how you handled it.
- Describe a time when you had to work under pressure, and what did you learn from it?
- What is something you’ve done recently that makes you proud?
- What is the most important quality you look for in a colleague?
- What is one thing you’d change about yourself?
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Conclusion
Working at Microsoft has its perks—free food, competitive salaries, and state-of-the-art facilities. But it’s not all rainbows and butterflies.
Working at Microsoft can be pretty intense. If you’re considering applying for a position at the tech giant, you should know a few things first.
From grueling interview processes to long hours, here’s what it’s like to work at Microsoft. Interested in working at Microsoft?
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