Employee experience changes at Microsoft
The Seattle Times has an article on the changes made to the current Microsoft employee experience made by our Senior VP, Lisa Brummel. I don't think I blogged much about this other than the home grocery delivery offering (hey, it's a novelty...I care about the other stuff). A bunch of things were rolled out, most notably, a change to the annual review process. I think the thing that sticks with me, with regard to all these changes, is that you don't feel penalized by seeking out work on high performing teams. I came to Microsoft because I wanted to up my performance by working with smart people.
I haven't yet been able to participate in one of the listening tour meetings but I plan to in the future. For me, aside from sharing my perspective (as an employee), it would be good to have more understanding of how people feel about working at Microsoft. I'm the type of person that is awlays trying to anticipate what will go wrong with any project (some may perceive that as glass half empty but it's really more the desire to control the outcome as much as possible). So the listening tour kind of feeds that for me. If someone has something they'd like to see changed, I'd like to know what it is.
Kind of why I blog too.
Comments
Anonymous
October 09, 2006
It's all about taking care of your customer - both internal and external!Anonymous
October 09, 2006
I was wondering how long of a process it is after Microsoft has informed that an offer will be made that the offer is drawn for a potential employee that entails relocation also?I have a friend who has been told this and it has been 2 weeks already. This is for a position in that is managerial.It seems a bit odd. They call him almost evry other day but the still the offer talk I guess with a separate department of HR still has not come through.Is that normal? He has quite a few offers from other good companies and was pretty excited about Microsoft but this sort of turned him off a little.it is weird because the people in that department really does need someone. There were like 3 positions and they liked him for all three.Just curious. He is not in such a hurry but it makes it difficult for him to make decisions with a solid timeline to other companies once he reviews the offer.Anonymous
October 09, 2006
Kit- I don't think it's normal, but it happened to me when I got my Microsoft offer too (granted it was 7 years ago). My guess is that the recruiter is having a hard time coordinating the offer details with the hiring manager. If they like him for all 3, it could be all the harder; though generally the process is to ask the candidate to select a grop/position and then figure out the offer (under the understanding that we don't make 3 different offers for 3 different positions...the offers would all be the same). Something is definitely going on with the recruiter wrt getting in touch with the people they need to finalize the offer. Trust me, recruiters love to actually make the offer. If there's anything I can do to help, have your friend e-mail me and I'll see if I can get some scoop.Anonymous
October 10, 2006
Hi HeatherThanks, I think it is because it is in the hardware group. I heard it takes longer to approve things.The hiring managers have already spoken to him staing that they will make an offer and would like to hire him.They asked him already about the group that he prefers and that was also agreed on too.It just seems really odd that they take so long. The recruiter he has is really nice. Everyone there actually has been quite nice. Is there a different HR department that actually drawn up the offer or is it still coordinated by the recruiter? They seem to give him the sense that there is a different group that needs to be involved for the offers. This recruiter is pretty new there too I heard but he does have ectensive recruiting experience. Well I hope that when the offer comes through that it is a good one for him. That is another thing he wants to see too. There is probably another negotitaion on the table too when it comes to the offer.Thanks Heather. I will let him know that it does happen. I think they told hom that in Hardware that it takes longer too.Anonymous
October 10, 2006
The offer is still coordinated by the recruiter. There's no reason why an offer from any one group would take longer than any other. That's kind of weird. The recruiter being new could make it take longer but not two weeks. Maybe the hiring manager is traveling or something.Anonymous
October 10, 2006
Thanks again Heather. If it still does not come through this week then I will tell him to email you.It is really odd because the Hiring Mgrs are in a rush to get someone in and they have been interviewing people quite a bit for that position. They a re pretty tough on picking people it seems.He has a solid good position right now and it would take quite a bit for him to move but he likes Microsoft. I know for him that wherever he ends up that he will do very well. In any case I will let him know about your website and have him contact you if you do not mind. Thanks again.Anonymous
October 10, 2006
Hi Heather again!I forgot to add-does it make a difference that the recruiter is on contract still for Microsoft?The Hiring Manager has already spoken to him to assure they would be making an offer.Anonymous
October 10, 2006
Kit-I don't think so. I hope this offer comes through soon. The reassurance makes me think there's a genuine hold up and they are actively working through it.Anonymous
October 16, 2006
The comment has been removedAnonymous
April 25, 2007
@Nir I personally would work where I WANT to work, regardless of the offer. I was offered slightly more by another company ~200km from where I live, but I chose to take the job 2000 miles from home in seattle because I believe in Microsoft (or want to work for them? all the above?)Anonymous
April 26, 2007
The comment has been removed