Company: Microsoft
Date: 2016-05-03
Overall rating: 3/5
Employment status: former
Experience level: Confirmed

Great benefits & technology . . .
Pros: Microsoft offers an exceptional benefits and compensation package.  I believe if you have a solid professional background you will be able to negotiate a good comp package + signing bonus.  Personally, I love to give to charities and truly appreciate the company match up to $15k.  Microsoft provides a good deal of opportunity for growth - if you take it.  Good technology.
Cons: I found Microsoft to be too internally focused.  Limited opportunities for promotions for most people.  Many people are in the same level for years with limited promotion.  Calibration still exists, which wouldn't be a CON if it wasn't so subjective.  Basically, if you aren't playing an internally focused game, you will be at risk on your rewards.  Again - one of my PROS is the compensation.  Therefore, while there might be lots of back-stabbing politics to play on the corporate campus, you might still take home a good wallet.  Personally, I prefer to work around people with greater integrity.  Given Microsoft's focus on collaboration / productivity solutions, I was blown away by the demand for F2F meetings.  It takes a great deal of time to gain consensus and get things done.  Limited budgets.