Company: Microsoft
Date: 2015-01-06
Overall rating: 3/5
Employment status: current
Experience level: Junior

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly -  (cue Clint Eastwood...)
Pros: * you will be surrounded by brilliant people and cutting edge technology.
*  humane hours are possible, depending on the team.  Some groups have great work/family balance.  It just depends where you land. 
* decent perks for food, deals, etc but not like before and nothing like Bay area companies. 
* supportive of healthy lifestyles - the StayFit program, the bike commuter program... all good.
* one of the most charitable organizations I have ever worked for...
Cons: * the medical benefits -- often touted as "amazing" in the past, have changed dramatically recently.   Make sure you deep dive on this before you join and don't be swayed by some recruiter marketing.    The main Medical plan available to most employees is a high deductible plan complete with amazing amount of paperwork that you have to manage.   That said, I appreciate the opportunity to have the benefit, in the first place.   Just make sure you understand what "top notch" medical benefits are vs. just above average.

* prepare for the politics and the constant change -  pretty standard for tech but I was surprised how fluid things are.  This is good and bad.   Choose your opportunities and alliances carefully.