Interviewing at Microsoft
I am frequently asked about the interview process at Microsoft, and although I’m usually more than happy to relate my individual story and provide some general tips, I can’t provide nearly the insight that two of our recruiters, Gretchen Ledgard, and Zoë Goldring (both responsible for the JobsBlog) provide in this 20 minute Channel 9 video. You’ll hear them talk about dress code, pre-interview tips, the actual interview day, logic questions, coding questions, what we’re looking for in people, whether or not you need a degree, etc. This is the first of at least two video segments to be published, so expect a second part sometime soon. On a related note, Chris Sells maintains a page about Interviewing at Microsoft that is worth reading. And for those who haven’t heard my Microsoft interview story, read on…
I always thought that I would either work for myself or for Microsoft. After being an independent consultant for many years, creating the industry’s first uninstall application, the first nationwide movie showtime web site, working at Donnelly Corporation for exactly a year (to the minute), and lots of other mildly interesting things, I decided that it was time to send in a resume. I knew that Microsoft received thousands of resumes each day (according to Gretchen, we now receive around 6,000 per day), so I knew that I had to do something that would show my passion for the company, my “out of the box” thinking, and grab their attention.
You know those life sized celebrity cardboard cutouts that adorn the occasional geek office? I decided to build a cardboard cutout of me and send it along with my resume as the “model Microsoft employee.” To figure out how large it could be, I visited the FedEx office and asked for the maximum dimensions for something shipped next-day air. Although I don’t recall the exact numbers, it was something like 170 inches for combined length and girth. Not only did I want it to be as close to actual size as possible, but I wanted it to make a splash when it was delivered to the HR department in Redmond. After all, how many next-day air packages have you received that were much bigger than a standard letter?
So, I had some professional photographs taken of me holding a mouse and keyboard and had it professionally printed and mounted on foam core. Using a cardboard celebrity cutout that I purchased as a template, I proceeded to remove the extra foam core and create the folding flaps that would allow it to stand on its own. Then, I created an advertising slick sheet that would accompany my package that explained the model Microsoft employee and how I was obviously a perfect fit.
Of course, I still spent a lot of time polishing my resume, and it served as the “meat” of my job application. The cardboard cutout was simply a way to get noticed among the thousands of resumes that are received by the company each day. After sandwiching everything between two sides of a cardboard refrigerator box and carefully taping around the edges, I managed to squeeze it in my car and take it down to the local FedEx office. The FedEx employee that helped me was fascinated by the story behind the contents of my package and proceeded to measure the length and girth with a small chain he kept behind the counter. Boy, was it close. I had neglected to consider the thickness that all of that foam core and cardboard would add to the measurement, and I barely squeezed by. Whew!
About two weeks of stomach churning passed before I finally received a letter from Microsoft in my mailbox. It was a personal note from the Vice President of Human Resources, and he was writing to say that in all of his years at Microsoft, he had never seen a resume quite like mine. He was impressed that I was able to make my job application stand out (no pun intended), and apparently, it was the talk of the whole department (he had it standing outside of his office). He went on to say that my resume would be added to the database and considered for all open positions (I hadn’t applied for a specific job code). He wished me the best of luck and hoped to see me as a future employee.
I never heard anything else from Microsoft about that resume, and it didn’t end up getting me a job (surprise, surprise). However, I was proud of the fact that I had tried, and I cherished the letter that I received as a response. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find that letter, or I’d post a copy of it right here. If I do manage to dig it up, I’ll be sure to update this post.
So, there must be another interview story, right? I mean, I do work for Microsoft, so there has to be more! Of course there is, but it’s not quite as interesting as this one, and it has a much better outcome. The funny thing is, a lot of people have confused this story with the fact that I work for the company, so I often hear that “you’re the guy who sent the cardboard cutout to get the job, right?” That’s when I smile and proceed to tell my story.
Update: I was able to find the photo I used to produce the cutout...I look pretty silly. I haven't found the letter yet, but I think I know where it is.
Update #2: I found the letter! I'll scan it and add it to this post later tonight.
Update #3: I've added the scanned letter below.
Comments
Anonymous
August 21, 2004
How much did creating a foam cutout of yourself cost?Anonymous
August 21, 2004
Brant:
Frankly, I don't remember the individual costs, but overall, including shipping, the whole thing cost me somewhere around $600. Yes, that's a lot of money for a job application, but I had so much fun doing it, the money didn't matter.Anonymous
August 21, 2004
So, where's the cutout now? If it's still around you should send it around to different places on the MS campus like "Flat Stanley" (http://flatstanley.enoreo.on.ca/).Anonymous
August 22, 2004
That's a great question, Mark...I don't know. I'd guess that someone eventually threw it out, but frankly, I have no idea. Does anyone in our HR department remember seeing this?Anonymous
August 22, 2004
Can you imagine what type of mail microsoft must be getting (or will get) now thanks to your blog post?Anonymous
August 22, 2004
Great link from Scoble to a story about a gentleman trying to get a interview with Microsoft. Very cool read....Anonymous
August 23, 2004
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August 23, 2004
Heather:
The letter is from Mike Murray, dated July 28, 1998. I don't know if Mike is still around...I couldn't seem to find him in the address book.Anonymous
August 23, 2004
Hi Micheal,
Similar to your story, I am one of the aspirant IT professional willing to work for Microsoft and since from years finding the better ways to work for Microsoft.
Your story temps me to do some thing new to take up your approach for getting into MS :) Just kidding !!!
I hope you now working for Microsoft !!!
By the way, can I see your resume or the way it was presented? If you dont mind you can send it to my ID....
k_hsemar@hotmail.com or k_hsemar@yahoo.com.
All the best for your futur endeavors... Hope i will meet you @ MS when I get a chance to work.
Thanks,
RameshAnonymous
August 23, 2004
Interviewing at Microsoft You know those life sized celebrity cardboard cutouts that adorn the occasional geek office? I decided to build a cardboard cutout of me and send it along with my resume as the “model Microsoft employee.” To figure out how large it could be, I visited the FedEx office and asked for the maximum dimensions for something shipped next-day air. Although I don’t recall the exact numbers, it was something like 170 inches for combined length and girth. Not only did I want it to be as close to actual size as possible, but I wanted it to make a splash when it was delivered to the HR department in Redmond. After all, how many next-day air packages have you received that were much bigger than a standard letter? Now that's a story. Click the link to see a picture of it....Anonymous
August 24, 2004
I suspect that you may have shown too much initiative. While good companies value the exceptional and innovative employee, the need is freater for workers who simply do as they are told.Anonymous
August 24, 2004
Hi Michael - this is such a great story. I, too, have never heard about this, but i'm also on a mission to see if your likeness still exists. I'll let you know if I uncover anything!!Anonymous
August 24, 2004
Gretchen:
When approached, use terminology from .NET, C#, or Doom 3 to lure it near. Beware, however, of its extremely flat personality. :-)Anonymous
August 24, 2004
Mike... I had heard this story many a time, but never realized that it was you.Anonymous
August 25, 2004
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August 28, 2004
Great link from Scoble to a story about a gentleman trying to get a interview with Microsoft. Very cool read....Anonymous
August 29, 2004
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September 15, 2004
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March 09, 2005
One of the issues that keeps popping into my mind in recent days is the ongoing flow of MVPs who become Microsoft employees. Another MVP, Eric Maino, has just agreed to join Microsoft, It was a tough decision... . Usually,...Anonymous
February 06, 2006
Hi Micheal,
Similar to your story, I am one of the aspirant IT professional willing to work for Microsoft and since from years finding the better ways to work for Microsoft.
Your story temps me to do some thing new to take up your approach for getting into MS :) Just kidding !!!
I hope you now working for Microsoft !!!
By the way, can I see your resume or the way it was presented? If you dont mind you can send it to my ID....
sandeep.raj.reddy@gmail.com.
All the best for your futur endeavors... Hope i will meet you @ MS when I get a chance to work.
Thanks,
SandeepAnonymous
March 05, 2006
Excellent idea!
But why does everyone seem like they would sell their sister for a job a Microsoft?Anonymous
April 20, 2006
PingBack from http://nhw.pl/wp/2006/04/21/to-be-hired-by-ms-you-have-to-stand-out/Anonymous
April 26, 2006
PingBack from http://microsoft.blognewschannel.com/index.php/archives/2006/04/26/whos-microsofts-great-actor/Anonymous
July 11, 2006
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July 12, 2006
For those of us who can't afford $600 for a life size cutout, there is a cheap do-it-yourself alternative at www.mylifesize.com.
Not as cool as a life size professional photo, but pretty cool.Anonymous
July 24, 2006
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February 21, 2007
You may have read about the guy who flew to California (with no appointment) to pitch a business ideaAnonymous
February 02, 2008
Great idea, BTW did u patent it yet :)?Anonymous
July 08, 2008
nice Idea Mike ! Even i like to do such things..ur post tempts me to make a life size painting of my own today!Anonymous
October 07, 2009
Never heard anything like this before. But yeah.. Impressive! This is what I call extraordinary - doing usual things in different ways :)Anonymous
July 07, 2010
That was cool Mike :)