Company: Microsoft
Date: 2012-08-12
Overall rating: 3/5
Employment status: former
Experience level: Confirmed

Great Place when you join, just be ready for Up or Out.  Field is more independent than the Mothership and more tenuous.
Pros: Smart People, great total package.  Health care was a great benefit, but that is ending this year.  If you can last more than 5 years and can get high ratings at least one of those, the handcuffs are really tight (in a great way.) Worth a stint even if you aren't a fan.
Cons: Lots of Politics, if you don't stick in your Manager's Manger's mind by the second year, then be ready to move on.  Don't expect a work-life balance, your review often depends on you replying first to an email thread, no matter if it's constructive or just a +1.  Visibility is KEY.