Company: Microsoft
Date: 2008-09-08
Overall rating: 3/5
Employment status: current

Good News First
Pros: Unparalleled global reach, superb benefits, job security, plenty of opportunity for advancement, huge selection of jobs once you are in.
Cons: Work life balance.  The matrix leads to tension between the businesses and the field and prohibits optimal performance through lack of alignment.  The culture is extremely aggressive and treating one another with respect is not a priority; additionally the focus on email and lack of face-to-face interaction is difficult for Extroverts.  Lack of lay-offs does mean that you are never getting rid of your lowest tier employees so they never leave.  We often don't know how to prioritize projects so do many things not well vs. a few things really  well.  Engineering culture results in lack of respect for support functions particularly marketing and finance, which are very, very leanly staffed.