Tech IndustryDec 31, 2019
Avanadeshhakns

1st ever TAM interview with MSFT. Am I a fit?

I'm feeling a bit negative about this may be because of all the hate TAMs receive, but is TAM a fit for me? What do they do anyways? L'il about me: 6+ years of mgmt consulting experience with Microsoft tech (O365, Exchange, SfB, Win 10) and Accenture business model. Early years were tech heavy and hands-on like building servers and migrating users on-site. But career has progressed pretty well where I'm now doing Change and Release Mgmt for large enterprise infra projects. I've got base certs for aws and azure as well, with minimal hands on. Strong ppl mgmt, process improvement, tech rollout experience. TC: 115k YoE: 6 DMV area #interviews

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Amazon mSDf567 Dec 31, 2019

TAM @ Microsoft = Talking Account Manager. Joking aside your job is to sell premier plans and renewals, be on the hook when your customer has a Sev A and find ways to get them to burn their unused hours with health checks etc. I think you might be a little overqualified if you want to do real tech work.

Google formerMS Jan 1, 2020

A ridiculous comment considering I was a M4 at Microsoft. TAMs were a group I managed when a M1 many years ago. TAMs do not manage cases anymore and they are on the hook for Premier Core Billed revenue (support) and Office 365/M365 and Azure consumption. They are in sales. There is no concept for "hours" in Unified Support. If you don't know what you're talking about shut up.

Amazon ks890z Jan 1, 2020

Thanks for your info from many years ago. I was in SMSG 2 years ago and this was still the case.

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Gravel-Ind Dec 31, 2019

Why not, give it a try. You learn a lot through interview process, and may find out that TAM is not for you. Or what are the gaps you need to fill in etc.

Microsoft bing0 Dec 31, 2019

I think you have a great background to be a TAM. will make building trust and relationships with customers easier. Also renewing Premier contracts is really the number 1 KPI as well as driving Azure consumption... so I would say your vast experience will make achieving these KPIs easier. It might get annoying after a while when you see that it’s all about the numbers in the end, however, it is an interesting role.

Avanade shhakns OP Jan 1, 2020

I love the positivity. Thanks very much you all! Lets see how it goes.

Google formerMS Jan 1, 2020

The TAM role is easy to get into at Microsoft but hard to succeed in. Most are dumb college grads and even non college grads fail to meet quota. Most are duds.

Avanade shhakns OP Jan 5, 2020

So maybe get in, get a feel and move laterally if it's not my thing?

Amazon FormerOps Jan 17, 2020

Microsoft TAMs are beyond useless

Avanade shhakns OP Jan 20, 2020

Because they took the Jedi from you?