Microsoft Referral
I was trying to get a referral for Microsoft from a friend’s friend and she told that if she refers me, MS will setup an interview with her where she will have to vouch for me along with signing some documents which says she sponsors me. So she said she will not refer me as she does not know me well enough. Is it true that this is the process? If it is, it means MS takes referrals seriously and it looks like if you can secure a referral you have a really good chance of getting the job compared to other companies’ referral programs where you either just send a special link to the person you are referring, or just put their resume in the system yourself. Thoughts?
The process is not exactly *that* binding (e.g. the signing of documents to sponsor an applicant, there's no such thing), however, she is right: She should not refer you if she does not know you well enough.
Nope. Not from my experience. The process is very simple. You go into the careers page and refer someone by uploading their resume and submitting their contact info with a small summary. The friends that I have referred have gotten a call, but that’s it. They still need to pass at the interview process just like anyone else. I know there are scenarios where if you’re close with the HM, then they will probably expedite you, but that hasn’t been my experience. Edit: there’s also a section where it asks - how do you know this person.
What is the bonus? Does it depend on country/region?
Depends. I don’t remember off the top of my head. But I know they do like $5k if you refer someone that has an immediate need, such as a person in the PubSec with security clearance, they also have to meet the job description. I’m not a HM so I don’t know all the backend intricacies that happen.