Company: Microsoft
Date: 2014-08-28
Overall rating: 4/5
Employment status: current
Experience level: Senior

I have been in various business roles in 10+ years including customer service, manager of teams, and project management.
Pros: Overall package of benefits (connector bus/bus pass, salary, bonuses, flex schedule, vacation, holidays, med/dental, prime card, gym membership discount, tuition reimbursement, charity/giving matching 1:1, 401k, ESPP, etc.) is AMAZING.  
Ability for personal & professional growth - ex. ability to find new roles or just new project opportunities within the company or same division or even in current role.  Training & possibility for assistance toward certification exams.
The people -  For the most part, I have greatly enjoyed working with my partners and peers.  I have been part of some amazing teams (high performing, high morale).
Cons: Like any big company there are teams that are not enjoyable to work with/in - poor leadership, poor team morale, no clear direction - so just do your homework about how the manager manages for success, what the state is of team morale (WHI - workplace health index), etc.
Work-life balance - In the early days I found this very hard to manage but I learned to own this and was very effective at generally staying within a 40-45 hr work week --- except in key peak business times where I would very willingly put in more time as needed. You have to be able to manage your time effectively and push-back BEFORE you are too over-committed / overwhelmed.  More people need to learn how to say "no" (nicely) and educate against competing priorities & resource constraints. The business is very fast-paced and very rarely will you have someone else who can effectively ensure there is balance - so you need to do it for yourself. Managers (good ones at least) will work with you on this balance as they don't want you overwhelmed either at the risk of poor quality, missing deliverables, or lack of "white space" to come up with needed solutions.