Well, I tried. I really tried to make it work at Microsoft but the place is just psychotic. I’m sure there are pockets of goodness here and there but I sure as hell couldn’t find it. I tried switching teams...had over 30 internal applications for jobs I was qualified for but was only invited for one loop. I didn’t get that job because I came across as “negative toward my current group.” What a joke. I was literally asked in that interview why I was having trouble because at Microsoft you’re supposed to be able to create the career you want and own it. BS. Anyway, after 2 years, I have given up trying to please these people. They don’t want people who think strategically with long-lead planning. They want corporate drones that will do the work with mediocrity and never question or try to improve anything. I am looking forward to getting away from that mentality. I want to be at a company where employees actually care about the work and have a sense of pride and ownership in their work. I am not comfortable just sitting back, doing nothing and collecting a paycheck.
This reflects a real problem in msft. When ppl try to switch teams, the hiring mgrs will think that this guy is a bad performer or troublemaker. I don’t know whether other companies are the same way but amzn is much better than msft in this regard. But on the other hand, it sounds like you are inclined towards negativity and that is something you definitely need to avoid in all interviews.
Agreed, I need to watch that so I don’t come across as negative. I’m actually not a negative person. I enjoy working and take pride in it most of the time. But somehow people at Microsoft (on my team) are just complacent. There is no drive to be the best or improve. They just expect things to be broken at Microsoft and are A OK with that. I am not.
If that is really the case then find a good company, work hard, and build a good reputation in future. Don’t get too extreme or else other ppl will avoid you like the plague. Good luck!
If you want to succeed at MSFT itvs avoid strategic thinking (me-too products and services is good enough) and avoid at all cost speaking about ownership. I once got a CVP jumping at me during an interview because I spoke the unspeakable: « ownership » That’s an other thing AMZN got right 🙄
Microsoft isn’t perfect but given the tone of your post I don’t think Microsoft was the problem in this case.
Came here to say this.
and people think MSFT has perfect work life balance and laid back culture
Come to Amazon
I think is the same everywhere.. if you are smart intelligent hardworking awesome who is willing to fight improve - and telling the truth - they call you Negative or wherever person etc., Congrats is resigning and I wish you all the best, I think u deserve More! Much more!!!
True Dat
I'm at the same point as well. Applying for and interviewing internally is quite challenging. After many years at this company it's time to leave.
I truly agree @Microsoft guy. Changing teams are extremely difficult and frustrating process inside MS..Though you perform very well in the loop, some HM reaches the current manager for feedback. And if you don't have a great relationship with your current manager, he or she will screw you with a bad feedback which gets influenced and end up in no new job offer. This process creates a new thought in your current manager, and he or she thinks that this guy is anyway trying to leave and let me screw him more. That will make you land in a extremely difficult situation of pathetic review and you are screwed inside a whole shit.... I am not generalizing every manager is like that, but am seeing more trends like this....
Apple is by no means perfect but we do hire a few ex-Microsoft. As does Google/Facebook/Twitter.