Microsoft

Pretty representative of what the experience of working at a large software company is like.

Some of the execs are still technical, which is a plus if you're a dev.

Starting to take Design seriously, so hiring some world-class folks in that area.

Some really great devs who are still trying to get the company to innovate.

Try to find out where they are and work with them.

The COO was hired from Walmart. Need I say more?

Devs are completely disempowered. PMs are running the show. Read the Vanity Fair article for details.

The perf review system is as horrible as it says, so plan to leave within 5 years max. After that, MS will start wanting to push you out to hire some new grads to work the machine. Know what you're in for and leave on your own terms.

Fix perf reviews. Stop hiring biz peeps to manage devs; that's not the way to a great OHI in dev. Great devs do not want to just implement what PM + Design cooked up without having some input in the process. Actions speak louder than words.