Finding a job at Microsoft
My nephew recently asked if I knew of job opportunities
with Microsoft in Southern California. He's a Marine recently wounded in Iraq by
a roadside bomb. He's recovering; others in his unit weren't so lucky. He'll
soon muster out of the Marines at Camp Pendleton and looking toward a career in
networking. Now, I know next to nothing about networking. Years ago I didn't
finish a class full of star and ring diagrams. That's the extent of knowledge.
But I wanted to offer something of value. He deserves it.
So, I thought I'd document what I discover about looking
for a job at Microsoft, resources available from outside the company and my own
personal perspective from the inside. With the usual disclaimers, of course. My
opinion is my own. It's worth what you pay for it. And my horizon is limited. I
work as a project manager for Microsoft's search marketing clients. It's a far
cry from engineering.
So, my first bit of free advice. Subscribe to the RSS
feed for Microsoft's JobsBlog.
Microsoft is a big company. Like any big company, it has a corporate culture.
The JobsBlog offers advice on that culture. As well, hunting for a job across
the wide landscape of Microsoft, building your resume, interviewing and working
at Microsoft.
And my second bit. Don't get discouraged quickly.
Microsoft is a great company but it's big and complex. Finding your way takes
time.
