2.0
May 23, 2008
Current employee
Redmond, WA
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook
Pros
Microsoft is a very successful company as a whole. It is very competitive. It has a good reputation for the quality of people it hires. It is very stable and financially healthy. It has competitiveness and ambition to do better in its DNA. If you like that environment, there is a culture of open (yet respectful) criticism. It is possible to voice one's opinion in meetings. Health benefits are great. If you stay around long enough, the pay is good.
Cons
The middle management is awful: a mixture of cowardice, self-interest, and incompetence. Microsoft is replete with self-serving types, all in heavily guarded fiefdoms. There is no accountability after shipping. Doing good work is hard, and getting rewarded for it is harder.