Company: Microsoft
Date: 2019-09-27
Overall rating: 4/5
Employment status: former
Experience level: Senior

A great company to work for, with the usual big company obstacles
Pros: I worked in Microsoft Services both in the UK and latterly in APAC for 10 years. It was a great experience all round - fantastic knowledgeable colleagues, access to leading edge technology, lots of emphasis on learning and development, fair salary and good overall package. I am an alumni member and have colleagues and friends that I continue to interact with on both a professional and personal basis. 

As an employer, Microsoft are very tuned into the diversity and inclusion agenda and this has grown over the years. On the whole, I had some great managers (I had a couple of terrible ones also, but that happens everywhere).

Satya Nadella is a fantastic CEO and a great leader who is transforming the company.
Cons: The culture in the different Microsoft subsidiaries varies tremendously between the different geographies - some embrace the overall corporate culture and some reflect a more local culture. I switched between the UK and APAC and although it was an amazing experience in hindsight, the company did not prepare me for this in any way.

In an organisation with so many great people, it is difficult to get noticed *just* by doing a good job. You have to be prepared to go the extra mile and work out your own personal style and brand within the organisation, which isn't for everyone.