Tech IndustryNov 11, 2018
CiscoKpIQ00

Microsoft New Grad Hire

What happens after 4 years later when Stock gets liquidated? As a new hire, they have provided me with 120k stocks which with my base of 109k guarantees I get 140k for the first 4 years. My question is, after the stocks get liquidated would we only get the base pay? I assume we will go through promotions but do we get stock with each promotion or is this just a one time thing you receive for 4 years and then it's over? Do people switch jobs after every 4 years so that they get new stock bonus? I've also hear about stock refreshers in companies but heard that it is negligible at msft based on my level of hire.

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Microsoft The PFJ Nov 11, 2018

Hrweb. U are way off

Cisco KpIQ00 OP Nov 11, 2018

I don't understand what you're trying to say

New
@!!!! Nov 11, 2018

I am not sure about Microsoft, but in general lot of people switch after 4 yrs, because the refreshers are generally not that high as compared to the initial stock grant. I do hope that promos come with additional stock grant tho, but not entirely sure.

Cruise Automation mocca Nov 11, 2018

Never heard of refreshers being negotiable, they're usually formulaic based on level and performance. What you want to make sure is the frequency of refresher and target amount for the average employee. MS has been playing catch-up on their refreshers as it tended to be lower than FANG. Most will do a yearly refresher, somewhere along the lines of 25% value of 4 year grant for the mid range pay for your role and level. Some companies will do refreshers every 2 years. Others might not until end of 4 years.

Cisco KpIQ00 OP Nov 11, 2018

I was not trying to say that refreshers are negotiable, I meant negligible meaning they are "peanuts" eg: 15% of your base salary i.e. 15k over 5 years meaning 3k every year which is like a joke lol

Cruise Automation mocca Nov 11, 2018

Sorry, misread. Yeah, MS was really bad at it until recently (past year, maybe 2). They have been giving out special stock awards to put them near par with comparable companies. But no guarantee that those special awards will continue. MS's initial 4 year grant is comparable with FANG, which is deceptive given their normal refreshers are so low.

Apple cho Chang Nov 11, 2018

Target refreshers per level: 59: 3k 60: 4.5k 61: 6.5k 62: 11k 63: 17k

Cisco KpIQ00 OP Nov 11, 2018

Can you explain target refreshers? Does that mean we get 3k in the first year if we start at 59?

Microsoft DOyu71 Nov 11, 2018

You get the refreshers every year including the 4 that your initial grant is active. (The table above by cho chang is correct for last year). Since you got 109 salary I can tell you were hired at l59. You will definitely be promoted in those 4 years (or out), most likely twice and possibly as many as 4 times. Each promo comes with an increase in base pay of 5-8%. Also qualifies you for the next tier of stock refreshers at yearly review time. Every year you also get a merit increase as well depending on level, performance, pay within level etc. Generally from about 2-6% but it can be more. Finally there are bonus targets. For levels 59-62 bonus is 10-20% (assuming you're at meets expectations perf), 63-64 (15-30%), 65-66 (20-40%), 67 (30-60%).

Cisco bitset Nov 12, 2018

How are refreshers different than annual stock bonus?

Microsoft Ink8i Nov 12, 2018

Same thing