Thursday, October 10, 2024

Microsoft: Careers Review

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Microsoft Careers

Few technology companies are as familiar as Microsoft. One of five companies in the “Big Five,” Microsoft joins Google, Amazon, Apple, and Meta as the largest tech giants in the industry.

Once thought to be primarily the provider of desktop operating systems, Microsoft offers a diverse and successful core set of product lines.

  • Office and Microsoft 365: Suite of productivity apps, including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive
  • Surface: Merging the strength of laptops and tablets into a line of devices used by business and home users
  • Xbox: console gaming system

With a current focus aimed at cloud strength and Azure brand, Microsoft reported $51.7 billion in revenue in Q2 of FY22.

Microsoft employs over 181,000 worldwide, providing an estimated 103,000 individuals with full-time employment in the U.S.

Microsoft as an Employer

Locations

Microsoft headquarters is in Redmond, Washington, and the company has offices and retail locations around the globe.

Microsoft has four primary operation centers.

  • Dublin, Ireland: Licensing, manufacturing, operations, and logistics
  • Humacao, Puerto Rico: Manufacturing
  • Reno, Nevada: Licensing and operations
  • Singapore: Operations and logistics

Though many jobs may be completed remotely, Microsoft recruits employees for six primary U.S. locations:

  • Bay Area, California
  • Seattle, Washington
  • Atlanta, Georgia
  • New England
  • New York, New York
  • Washington, D.C.

Culture

Microsoft has a growth mindset culture. The company believes that the consultative method of approaching customers with curiosity and genuine interest is the best way to recommend solutions and drive innovation.

Diversity

By aiming to seek out and value differences, Microsoft shows a commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Team members from all walks of life are recruited and supported with 40 different employee networks and seven global employee resource groups.

This commitment to accommodating individuals with different needs is seen in recruiting practices such as Widening the Spectrum. This program supports individuals with autism as they are recruited, hired, and retained by Microsoft.

Philanthropy

Microsoft employees are encouraged to give back, financially and with their time.

  • Donation matching: Microsoft will match donations of cash or products to eligible nonprofits up to $15,000 per year
  • Volunteer matching: When employees volunteer their time in the community, Microsoft will donate $25 per hour to eligible organizations

Military

Active-duty U.S. service members can develop necessary career skills by accessing training provided through the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA).

Internship

College freshmen and sophomores can apply for the Explore Microsoft summer internship program. This 12-week program offers experience in a variety of software engineering roles.

Apprenticeship

Understanding that you need experience to get a great job, Microsoft developed the Leap Apprenticeship Program. Participation in the immersive 16-week program delivers real-world software development experience, increasing participants’ employability in the tech industry.

People

Employees at Microsoft are broken down into two functional groups: engineering and business.

Engineering

  • Cloud + AI Group: Cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) program, and digital transformation strategy
  • Experiences + Devices: Combining Office, devices, and Windows, including apps and the app store
  • Technology + Research: Overall technical strategy, including forward-looking research and development for Microsoft’s infrastructure, services, apps, and agents

Business

  • Business development group
  • Corporate, external, and legal affairs
  • Finance group
  • HR group
  • Marketing group
  • Customer and partner solutions

Recognition

Microsoft regularly receives awards and honors, including the following recent accolades:

  • Ranked No. 3 on JUST Capital’s Top 33 Companies for Workers in 2022
  • Included for the sixth year in a row on the Carbon Disclosure Project list for climate performance leadership
  • Awarded a AAA rating by MSCI for ESG performance
  • Received a 100% rating in the HRC Corporate Equality Index for Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality in 2021
  • Ranked among the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere in 2021

Ratings

Microsoft has an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 on Glassdoor by current and past employees.

  • 91% would recommend working at Microsoft to a friend
  • 97% approve of the CEO
  • 88% of employees have a positive business outlook

Additional ratings deliver positive reviews, including:

  • 4.5 out of 5 for Culture & Values
  • 4.5 out of 5 for Diversity & Inclusion
  • 4.2 out of 5 for Work/Life Balance
  • 4.1 out of 5 for Senior Management
  • 4.1 out of 5 for Compensation & Benefits
  • 4.2 out of 5 for Career Opportunities

Benefits

Though specific benefits can vary by country, Microsoft employees in the U.S. can expect to receive considerable benefits, such as:

  • Benefits for health, dental, and vision care
  • Flexible work schedule
  • 15 paid vacation days, 10 paid sick-leave days, 10 paid U.S. holidays, and two personal days each year
  • Leave for new parents, including those who build their family through adoption
  • Family caregiver leave
  • Subsidized and discounted childcare
  • Possibility of hybrid work environments, allowing work-from-home options
  • Tuition assistance
  • Access to training resources, including online and in-person training courses
  • Financial education with access to programs designed to build savings, build a 401(k), refinance student loans, and more
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • Perks+ fitness support provides up to $1,200 annually for related expenses
  • Well-being benefits to improve overall physical and emotional health
  • Disability support for individuals requiring accommodations to meet their workplace accessibility needs
  • Group legal plan
  • College Coach program to help employees navigate children’s college admissions and financing
  • Employee discounts on Microsoft products

Job Openings

Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, Microsoft has over 7,800 job openings currently available in the U.S., including:

  • Senior software engineer
  • Business strategy leader, retail and consumer goods
  • Data research scientist
  • Senior HR business partner, developer tools and services
  • Digital advisor/strategic consultant, telecommunications
  • Application innovation cloud solution architect
  • Industry specialist, manufacturing
  • Senior director, strategy and operations
  • Senior data engineer
  • Strategic client director, financial services, payments

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