Summer Internship referral at Microsoft
I am really interested in applying for internship at Microsoft for Program Management role. They have started taking applications for next summer. I have a friend who just joined microsoft as a SDE 1 month ago right after his masters. Should I ask him for referral or getting referral from someone senior at Microsoft will increase my chances for an interview?
I don't think there are referrals for internships. Best to just talk directly to the Microsoft recruiter who covers your school and then go through on campus recruiting
This is the actual answer. I used to help with campus recruiting and the best thing you can do is to have your friend contact your campus recruiter and ask about referrals or put a good word in. There is no formal process for referrals, and there is no HM for an internship that you're applying for. They figure out what teams to loop you with after the first interview.
Thank you both of you(Meme and wbv) for your guidance. I will try to reach out my university recruiter and will ask my friend as well if he can help in some manner!
Pm me I have a link
Sent
There is an internal referral website where employees can refer friends by uploading their resumes. It’s also the same portal where resumes go to die. There will be a single email to your friend notifying the receipt of your resume and then crickets for the rest of eternity. No notification that your resume was even looked at or rejected. Ask your friend to give you a direct referral by actually emailing or handing over your resume to a hiring manager.
Wow. Thank you for the insight. I will ask my friend to send it directly to the HM if he can. Also would you suggest to apply through careers portal of Microsoft as well even if my friend has forwarded my resume to HM?
Yes, you can apply through the career website and additionally ask your friend to follow-up directly with the hiring manager. If your friend is willing and able, it is best to have your friend speak to the hiring manager face-to-face. Some HM’s may tell your friend to ask you to apply for the job first through the Careers Portal, at which point, your friend will be able to respond on the spot by saying “Yes, this candidate already submitted an application.” May seem pushy or well-prepared depending on the kind of HM you are dealing with. Nonetheless, so as not to waste anyone’s time, the idea is to expedite your application and get you an audience with the hiring manager as quickly as possible.