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Working at Microsoft

Software Design Engineer ||
Current Employee
Has worked at Microsoft for 9 years
August 28, 2013
Redmond, Washington
3.0
RecommendsNegative OutlookDoesn't Approve of CEO
Pros

Very talented set of people. There are a lot of teams and lot of technologies. So after working for a while in one team, you can always go and interview with another team to work there if you like the other project. And yes, you read it right: if you want to change your team, you need to interview with the other team.

Cons

The stack rank system during review. A whole year's worth of work can go to waste if the folks in your team are ranked higher in the stack ranking system in a closed room with your manager, manager's manager, etc. You won't be there in that room.

You get to know why you got a low rating only after you get it. Just because you did the work doesn't mean much.

You have to do more work than the other peers in the same level. If your peers are in the office 24 hours a day delivering more stuff, you have no choice. The whole thing about work-life balance is hogwash.

Advice to Management

Think about getting rid of stack rank.

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