Microsoft contract roles?
Let me start by saying, I currently have a great role on a great team. Im 100% remote, my job is chill, and I can go after more if I want but coasting is an option. I’ve fallen into a technical role at a non technical company and I’ve always dreamed of transitioning to a tech company. Recently, after speaking with a few recruiters I have interviews for contract positions in tech which last 12 months. Now I’m wondering if the risk would be worth the reward. 1) Can you share your experiences in these contract roles? 2) What are the pros and cons? 3) Could it really lead to a FTE position? 4) Is it worth it to take on as a way to get a tech company on a resume and then leverage for a FTE? YOE - 3 in current function (13 total) TC - 125k Contract role 1: $64/hr + benefits and PTO through the vendor company I assume. Contract role 2: 120k + benefits, again, through the vendor company I assume.
Just get a full time job here. Why would you quit a job you like for a contract?
I haven’t had luck with applying to roles directly, even with referrals. Haha I wish it was that easy. I’m scoring interviews for these contract positions though, they’re probably easier to get.
The $64/hour is pay cut, so I can't see any advantage. The $120k is also a pay cut, so I don't see much advantage there also. Although Microsoft direct hire would probably improve your resume, I don't know that Microsoft Contractor would be a branding upgrade from KP, but I could be wrong (this might be a good poll). Also, you're likely to experience: a) worse PTO b) worse benefits c) high likelihood of worse WLB (no coasting, and really no leaving a few minutes early here and there to pick up a child / go to an event / etc.) d) the worse WLB will substantially affect your ability to LeetCode and other interview prep e) first in line for a layoff (extremely likely right now) f) if the contract is not renewed, then in 12 months you could be in serious trouble g) It seems that big tech contractors rarely convert; i.e., you will have a better shot getting internal at Microsoft applying from off the street than as a MS contractor (I could be wrong on this) h) a short stint on your resume: this means that you may feel forced to stay in your next job longer than you want, even if it is a very bad experience. Bad jobs can have a degree of nastiness, abusiveness, and degradation that it sounds like you have not yet experienced. I would really strongly advise you to never leave something in life for something WORSE. Just keep prepping, enjoy your WLB, and in 12 months you'll either have succeeded in getting a better job or you'll have a better career / life than at least 80% of the industry, and 99.99% of humans and will have "lived to fight another day" (or year in this case).
This is great feedback, thank you. I reached out to people on LinkedIn (contractors) who had stories about bad managers as well. This is why I am asking here because I’ve had terrible jobs with bad bosses in the past. I don’t want to give up what I have for some grass is greener fallacy. I think I’ll go through the interviews for the experience but as of now I think I’ll just keep growing as much as I can at my current company and hopefully in a year tech companies will come knocking at my door.
This really depends on the team. In our team, contractors are treated the same as FTEs essentially (I mean, not benefits or perks of course, just people attitude). So, tasks, WLB, participation in meetings - no difference here. Saying that, there are a lot of downsides of being a contractor and I'd like not to do it again unless absolutely necessary. Significant downsides are: 1) Benefits suck. Even at best vendor companies you'll not get a 401k match and only will get 15 days PTO a year, and this PTO is for everything including public holidays and sick leaves. Considering 11 holidays and ~5 sick days are standard everywhere that essentially means that there are no vacation days for you. 2) At Microsoft, contracts are up to 18 months and cannot be extended further, you'll have to take a 6 month break or work elsewhere if you want to come back. Saying that, depending on the type of work you're doing you might be able to stay an employee of the vendor firm and still do tasks for your MSFT teams until rehire, but that totally sucks. 3) Conversion is definitely possible, but unlikely. In our team, some FTEs are former contractors but most contractors eventually had to go. You have very little control here, even if you are excellent in your job and your manager is willing to convert, that totally depends on timing and headcount and never a guarantee. Sometimes it is worth it, if you are getting a huge pay rise, want a big company in your resume but cannot get FTE or need a new job ASAP. But generally, I'd say that you should be very careful with taking these roles, especially for a paycut. If you don't hate your current role or don't have strong reasons to make a move immediately, I'd say hold on and wait for FTE opportunity
This is incredibly good information. So I could grind for the team and go above and beyond and it would still be down to luck. I think I’m going to interview Monday for both positions anyway for the experience. One of the positions is FTE but through a contractor and the other is a contract to next June with another contractor. You’re 100% right about the benefits one is non-existent and the other sucks just like you describe. It’s a bummer because I was excited at a shot to join MSFT. Looks like it’s not time just yet. Thank you for the advice!
No problem at all! Reach out if you have more questions about contractor life at MSFT, will be happy to help!
I’m a contractor currently for Microsoft. Current economic condition are rough and budgets are tight. Half the vendors on my team were let go. My vendor company said I was good for 18 Months but that was a lie. I’m gettin extenbeded on a monthly basis at the moment and it’s making me have some anxiety.
What area do you have experience in ?
Officially a project manager but job description is data analytics consultant. I mostly work in the Microsoft Power Platform.