Territory Sales Executive in Reading, Berkshire Inspiring and self fulfilling
During my time at Microsoft I worked under a number of managers, across various business units - every experience was positive, self fulfilling and a pleasure to be a part of. Progression and personal development was a continuous focus and the business was proactive at giving individuals an opportunity to strive for new opportunity and exposure
Team Member in Reading, Berkshire Bad management
Unfortunately, I had a terrible experience soon after all the excitement of joining a global company like Microsoft the excitement didn’t last very long!! I joined the Customer Success unit and I didn’t think I have ever worked for any company where the management team was so bad that people were constantly stressed, frustrated and upset not just with the management team but also with the culture around the unit!!
People were treated terribly and differently depending on how long you was working for the company!!
It is very unfortunate because I didn’t enjoy the company but avoid the customer success unit UK team!
Executive Assistant to the GM - (Business Applications) in Reading, Berkshire Great place to work
Microsoft has a very diverse work ethic at a fast pace. A very enjoyable place to work with strong employees dedicated to do their best. A great work life balance
Premier Field Engineer in Reading, Berkshire Beyond expectations
Great company work ethic,
Very helpful and team orientated
Really good work life balance
Good management structure
Plenty options to expand your technical portfolio
Consultant in London, Greater London Not for me..
Over the time i have worked at microsoft, it was an absolutely dream come true to be given the opportunity to work there. However, the dream came to an end as the shine wore off very quickly.
Good Stuff:-
Working with various teams is extremely fun. There is lots of great productivity and collaboration across the team and there is lots of learning that becomes available to you.
Microsoft offers lots of opportunity for graduates and learning. Politics does not really affect you.
Networking and relationship - there is really great work/life balance if you work hard. Building networks and relationships is really easy and everyone is made to feel welcome from the start regardless of job title and whether they are US, UK, Europe, Aus, NZ based. There are lots of people with talent and skills and that make it really interesting place to work.
Advocate in Charity - If your interests gage into charity work this is an excellent workplace for you to join. There have been times where i get to spend 2 days paid doing charity work for schools, charities and other companies in not for profit.
Bad Stuff:-
Within 3 months of starting, it felt like i was a number in a team and driven to help microsoft in sales more than evangelise in the technology. Their was a huge emphasis on license management more than product and when discussing product it was to help drive sales of office 365 and add ons. Even though sales was not my thing.
PiP (Personal Improvement Performance) - There is a huge emphasis on Personal Improvement Performance and learning is only 25% of it. Whilst being long hours, there are other objectives that your manager sets for you which appear superficial and not easily met. This is known to cause depression, stress, anxiety, sense of failure and health consequences. One guy had a heart attack because he couldn't meet the PiP objectives whilst others are known for depression and panick attacks. Whilst another was sacked for ineffective communication because english was not his first language. Your set objectives require constant feedback from your customers as evidence to save yourself from the brutality of being sacked at any stage of your employment. They are quarterly reviewed so this pressure is constant. If you don't get on with 1 person in other teams or you customer did not like your presentation, you can expect escalation and put on PiP because of it. Track every conversation (get everything in writing) and don't trust anyone if things go wrong. Emphasis on gaining qualifications and if the course is not completed because perhaps your customers take lots of time, you will be put on PiP.
Management is useless - all they care about is sales. sales. sales. Its a numbers game. If you escalate issues to them, be careful and back up your issues with evidence. Some managers will appear nice and efficient and whilst others are useless. This is usually a facade. You will need strong assertion communication skills and keep points brief and to the point.
Everything you can expect from an American firm.