Company: Microsoft
Date: 2014-12-15
Overall rating: 3/5
Employment status: current
Experience level: Senior

Traditionally great company, but perhaps times are changing.
Pros: Microsoft is overall a great employer.  The remuneration and benefits are very good - even with recent changes - and the company provides a broad range of support and services to employees.  You have the opportunity to work on a diverse set of areas and often have the opportunity to work on projects that have real scale and impact.
Cons: Microsoft isn't immune from the drawbacks of working at a large company.  It's bureaucratic, it can be slow moving and decision making can be tortuous and often risk averse.  The two biggest cons in my experience are that firstly your success will often be decided by who your manager is.  Finding a great manager is probably the most important thing you can do.  The second thing is that the company is focusing on younger, cheaper workers, so if you're getting into middle age and working in middle management levels or below, this probably is not the long term company for you.