Microsoft Employee Reviews for Program Manager

"Good company to work for but with a lot of politics and group interests. Hard to make changes and improvements and a lot of push back from people in other groups."

"I have joined Microsoft as a contract employee for the company's IP Licensing Administration Team. The IPLA Team is a tight-knit, down-to-earth, and small group of self-motivated employees with drive to find efficiency wherever possible. Management is exceptionally approachable, helpful, and caring."

"Bar none, Microsoft is the best company that I have worked for. Why? Solid management, employees are well taken care of and well compensated. Well defined career path and every one is given the opportunity to succeed, excel and contribute to the financial goal of the company. For me it was 16+ years of excitement, commitment and rewarding fun work."

"Microsoft is a great company. I enjoy working here and learn a lot every single day. I enjoy working with smart people here."

"It's a great place to work. I would recommend this to everyone."

"My experience has been best working here. I would highly recommend this company to everybody."

What do you like about working at Microsoft?

"I like the great benefits, and the huge impact because everything you do impacts tons of people. I like the clear promotion/directional career guidelines."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Be passionate about technology! That will take you a long way. Know your stuff, but if you don't know, better to admit it and show that you're smart and can learn well."

What don't you like about working at Microsoft?

"The ranking system does not set up others to help each other, no matter how much language they put in about that being important. I've had two managers who really invested in me and sacrificed for me, and they were both pushed out the door. The self-serving managers who play the game were the ones who did well."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Align the whole company in a clear direction - make more difficult decisions. Upper management tends to cover themselves by not committing to one thing, which is why we end up with a lot of half-baked products that don't integrate well together. People are individually doing good work, but it's not part of a clear overall plan."

What do you like about working at Microsoft?

"It was a great opportunity to work in a startup within a larger company"

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"I continue to have discussions with various people at Microsoft."

What don't you like about working at Microsoft?

"Some of the employees treated contractors differently than regular employees."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"There needed to be a stronger focus on the bottom line."

"Outstanding technology but disorganized management."

What do you like about working at Microsoft?

"The technology, the amazing people, the broad coverage your work reached."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Prepare to be strong opinion about what you're passionate about."

What don't you like about working at Microsoft?

"The management constant shifting of priorities. The constant moving of personnel."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Steady to course. Take time to look outside of your own ecosystem."

What do you like about working at Microsoft?

"I like the good benefits and pay, and the ability to work on well-known projects"

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Know what you're getting into and what you want out of the job. There are many great opportunities, but it is a politicized system."

What don't you like about working at Microsoft?

"It is far too political; decisions tend to be made on what/who you know, and not always on what is best for the product."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Take MS in different directions and lead the industry in better directions."