Company: Microsoft
Date: 2015-01-19
Overall rating: 4/5
Employment status: former
Experience level: Senior

Excellent Company
Pros: Large technology company with global recognition.  Many jobs available with ability to move in career and location.  Company changes rapidly and seeks the best and brightest.  The company spends a lot on employees to ensure skills and morale are kept current.  Very good benefits.  The office environment and hours are very flexible.  Strong company ethics for individuals and the corporate environment.  With their new CEO last year the company seems to be on an upswing with product development and consumer sentiment.
Cons: The company will take every hour you give it and will quickly expect long hours as the norm.  There is a constant push to 'go faster'.  There is also a Microsoft 'kool aid' mentality where Microsoft technology is considered the best and is the only tolerated technology - all others are admonished regardless of their merits.  The company maintains a minimum attrition rate (for what they call 'good' attrition - i.e. low performers).  I have seen many good employees walked out the door because attrition targets had to be met.