Company: Microsoft
Date: 2012-08-09
Overall rating: 3/5
Employment status: current
Experience level: Senior

Great company to intern at, lots of resources
Pros: Pretty representative of what the experience of working at a large software company is like. Some of the execs are still technical which is a plus if you're a dev. Starting to take Design seriously, so hiring some world class folks in that area. Some really great devs who are still trying to get the company to innovate. Try to find out where they are and work with them.
Cons: COO was hired from Walmart. Need I say more? Devs are completely disempowered. PMs are running the show. Read the Vanity Fair article for details. The perf review system is as horrible as it says, so plan to leave within 5 years max. After that, MS will start wanting to push you out to hire some new grads to work the machine. Know what you're in for and leave on your own terms.