Company: Microsoft
Date: 2016-07-06
Overall rating: 4/5
Employment status: former
Experience level: Junior

Good opportunities, but move on when it's time or you will stagnate
Pros: Professional growth is encouraged, the reorgs mean new opportunities, and while not as good as they once were, benefits are generous. There's not a sense of clock-watching or micromanagement in most groups. You are trusted to perform. The culture encourages you to move on after a few years in one group, and that can help folks progress their careers.
Cons: The internal politics around reviews and work assignments can be cutthroat. Basically, your experience depends on your manager and team, and managers change frequently. Not to mention there's usually a reorg every 12-18 mos., so even when you like your team, it might not last. Also, because of the competition with peers, there's not a culture of mentoring the newer folks. Management quality varies because of the Peter Principle.