Company: Microsoft
Date: 2011-11-17
Overall rating: 2/5
Employment status: former

Remember, its a company of little independent companies
Pros: 1. The best benefits package out there
2. Access to technologies and resources
Cons: 1. Do not expect your org to support your interest to move to a different group or organization to advance your career. If you announce your inytention you better be sure it will happen, as its a career-limiting move within your current organization.
2. Be aware that if you change roles you are taking a big chance. They say that they support movement between roles (ex.. DEV or Teest to PgM). However, you will likely not have much support when making the change, and you will be ranked againast all the folks established in your new role. Changing roles is very risky.
3. Work/life balance is not a real value. If you try to live this value then good luck competing with young bucs from far-off lands who are in this country and ready to give 150%
4. Whatever you do, make sure you keep getting promoted. There is an "up-or-out" policy. If you go too long w/o a promotion you will find yourself with a "just write it up that way" review which does not reflect your actual performance but does provide documentation to support managing you out of the company. They want to boil off the older folks who are not slotted for leadership (level 65 or higher), and keep the lower levels stocked with younger workers so the average employee age remains low (reduce healthcare costs).