Can you apply for a higher level role (I.e. L66 applying for an L67 role) as an internal or is it like Amazon where you are viewed as inferior and prior experience goes out of the window once you join and need to wait for a promo? TC 480k (pre crash)
Yes you can apply. I have done it before and got the job, but at the level I was currently at - not the higher level the position was posted at. Getting a promo on transfer is very very hard. It happens though if you apply for an org where nobody wants to work (eg IT) or you’re a perfect fit with deep domain expertise.
Correct, u can apply and get the role. I did it too. Also negotiated to be considered for promo sooner, since "meeting expectations ", would mean I was executing at the higher level. This worked for me, but of course it means the manager has to be a solid one, that would keep their word, coz that wasn't something that was in writing.
As a matter of fact you can. If its another org (sales to engineering for instance), then your level will be remapped to new org. That’s how mine went to 63 from 61. Same org likely to be a lateral move.
Much easier to uplevel externally than internally at MS in general.
How long should one be in the current team at Microsoft before they look out for internal transfers?
No. Lateral moves only.