Ensight – Jeremy Wright

Every now and again I post my opinion on getting a job at Microsoft. My last such post was almost a year ago. So, I thought it’d be time for another.

I’m not entirely sure why I feel I can talk about getting a job at Microsoft, since I’ve never actually worked at Microsoft… But everytime I do, I get positive feedback from my friends at Microsoft.

The following is a response to someone who asked if the Microsoft Careers site was actually useful.

Realistically, the success rate on the Careers site is abysmal. They get, what, 5000 resumes a day? And they’re only fulfilling 10K-15K positions this year?  That’s a pissy chance even in the best of times.

I have never, ever even been granted a phone interview based on applications submitted to Careers. Hell, I’ve never even had a response. Careers is a black hole that resumes get sucked into.

But, outside of Careers, I’ve had a decent response. I’ve even been offered a couple of jobs. Just haven’t found the right team yet.

Someone earlier said it’s about “who you know”. I’m not sure that’s true. Ultimately, it’s about standing out. An employee referral is one way to do that, though there are still upwards of 10,000 of these a month.

Having a Masters or PhD is another. Writing a book is another. Being a known expert in your field is another. Being an MVP is another. Being creative with your resume is another. Writing a great app that’s widely used is another. Having a popular blog is another…

Lots and lots of great ways to get noticed. All of that said, though, having someone “on the inside” that you can at least bounce ideas off of is invaluable.

There are several folk here on the forums who did that for me (you know who you are, I won’t out you for fear of you getting spammed). I truly appreciate it. It’s too bad things didn’t work out, but I really appreciate all the help I received!

Getting in at Microsoft is ultimately about being the kind of person they want. If all you’re going to do is the “same ol’, same ol’” and apply through Careers, your chances of getting a job are diminished. Hugely. Because Microsoft doesn’t want cogs. They want people who can think outside the box.

Sadly, sometimes thinking outside the box can mean thinking inside the box…

But best of luck. I’m in Microsoft almost every month now, and I’m continually amazed by the quality of people I come in contact with. I’ve only met 3 people (out of more than 100) that I didn’t feel were top class employees and some of the best in their fields.

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