Pros: Great technology, people, and products. A fun and open environment to work in.

Cons: I think the process overhead at MSFT is growing.

Pros: There is a lot happening; no day is ever dull. Working on the back end, your customers are usually down the hall from you. Everyone I know was promoted after a year. Main campus is like going back to college again, except with free drinks and more impact.

Cons: Some teams seem to be in maintenance mode; I would avoid those teams. It's not clear if Windows Phone will survive.

Pros: There are a lot of smart people around; you can learn a ton from others. It is a great way to get solid experience, especially when you are right out of college. There is a diversity of jobs you can hold within different divisions that are very different from one another. There are really several companies within Microsoft. The culture and the type of work within Windows or Office, for example, is completely different from what you will find in the Xbox or the Windows Mobile division. Another positive aspect is the job flexibility. If you like to sleep in the morning, it is okay to show up at noon if you would like, as long as you get your job done.

Cons: One of the key components missing is the startup feel, in which people take more risks and try new things more easily. People sometimes focus on looking good to management, improving their review, or over-focusing on the results for this fiscal year or quarter, rather than doing the right thing for the company for the long term.