Company: Microsoft
Date: 2017-01-18
Overall rating: 3/5
Employment status: current
Experience level: Confirmed

Amazing company and wonderful opportunities, with some hiccups.
Pros: Fantastic brand, it's an immediate conversation starter and attention grabber when people realize you work for Microsoft.  Also, there are phenomenal people that work in this company.  My peers and employees have enhanced my working relationship with Microsoft beyond words.  There are some amazing opportunities as well, if you ensure that you're the obvious choice and best fit for those opportunities.  Innovation and unique experiences are welcomed and appreciated in most orgs (though surprisingly frowned upon in others).  I've gained more substantial experience from Microsoft than any other organization I've worked for.  Though there are ups and downs as in any employee-employer relationship, I wouldn't trade the time I've worked at Microsoft for anything.  I feel more optimistic about my future outside of the company because of my accomplishments inside of the company.
Cons: Culture, payrate, and benefits can vary from division to division for similar roles, and hard work is often unrewarded and trumped by politics.  To take advantage of some of the best opportunities, relocation (some paid, some unpaid) is often required and modifications to benefits/pay is the norm.  Also, the classic mentality of "bad managers" cause disengagement with the organization while great managers keep you motivated to perform at your best and inspired for what the future with Microsoft may hold is very much a part of working at Microsoft.  I've had some managers lie to me and peers and manipulate situations, while others have recognized me with bonuses and top company recognition.  Work life balance is also hit or miss depending on the org that you work in.  My experience is that as long as you sacrifice and overwork yourself to exceed expectations, you "earn" your "balance" in the work/life arena.  What may be expected from senior management at the top of the company in regards to the organization's values and expectations can be executed completely differently depending on the org and the managers that are above you.