Company: Microsoft
Date: 2016-08-04
Overall rating: 4/5
Employment status: former
Experience level: Senior

A good place to work
Pros: I was an FTE for 12 years and a contractor on and off for another couple of years. The pros for both are: a pleasure working with smart people, some great managers, better than average pay (for FTEs) with lots of possibilities for merit bonus and good benefits (for FTEs).
Cons: As an FTE: In recent years, layoffs have lent an atmosphere of instability and less than desirable job security. As a contractor, watch out for the policy that after 18 months of work, you need to take 6 months off.