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Choose a group that is appropriate to your personality: small vs. big, deadline-oriented vs. design-oriented

Software Development Engineer
Former Employee
Worked at Microsoft for 20 years
June 4, 2013
Redmond, Washington
4.0
RecommendsNegative OutlookNo CEO Opinion
Pros

I was very productive only after I understood the Microsoft culture: getting things done with initiative. My work was more visible in smaller groups. I was a little lost in bigger groups, and I had shied away when I did not get the recognition. Never do that.

Cons

I disagree with the interview process. Very often, the puzzles hardly test anything if the candidate has seen the solution earlier. You can only do so much during the limited time. Some of the best software designers I have seen work methodically, slowly, and iteratively.

Advice to Management

Train the interviewers to understand the candidate better rather than judging their 'puzzle' factor. There are so many other aspects of software development, especially in a product team.

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