Comment Feed for Got any Interviewing at Microsoft Questions? (Coffeehouse on Channel 9)

Re: Got any Interviewing at Microsoft Questions?

blowdart — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:00:32 GMT

OK sensible question; how do you track your CV in the US system? (As you're aware the UK system is rather different; I emailed you Gretchen a while back about it).

Having had someone in the US specifically ask for my CV to put me forward it's always awkward to bug them to see what's happening.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Got any Interviewing at Microsoft Questions?

Gretchen — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:47:20 GMT

I can vouch for sand in the office first hand. Although he didn't keep it for very long, Mr. Gretchen returned from our wedding in 2002 and found his office was transformed into a beach, complete with 6 inches of sand covering the entire floor. That's pretty extreme and I'm not sure he could have kept it like that forever - but yes, in general, there is a lot of flexibility in how your decorate your workspace.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Got any Interviewing at Microsoft Questions?

HumanCompiler — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:19:17 GMT

I haven't heard of the sand one before, but how you get your job done is pretty much up to you. I'm sure there are certain limits, but each manager is different. Getting your job done well is the focus, not on how you do it. This is good because everybody works differently.

Re: Re: Re: Got any Interviewing at Microsoft Questions?

wisemx — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:10:23 GMT

Aaron Kyle and I worked with a few Msft developers on a Voice Recognition system for Ford and Mazda.
Back in the late 80's early 90's.
One of the Msft guys there with us at the Flat Rock location told us he had sand on his office floor.
I've heard that sort of thing several times.
Does Msft still allow this kind of flexibility? Just curious...It's a fun fact if true. ;-)

Re: Got any Interviewing at Microsoft Questions?

VB Man — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:38:39 GMT

My questions:

Do I get free lunch.
Do I get free PDC tickets + all expenses paid?
Company car and company cell phone?
Free MS Software?

What can I say? I'm a freeloader.

But seriously,

What is the % rate of entry level employees that stay at MS.
% of them that get promoted within a year?
Average lifespan of a Microsoft employee?

Re: Re: Got any Interviewing at Microsoft Questions?

Dan — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:57:48 GMT

Hmm, I can only answer the Flesh Giant question :)

Assuming I'm "recruiting" a Warcraft player, I would want to know:

1. Their values: Are they one of those rude Wow players that ganks lowbies, and spams trade chat with profanities or Chuck Norris jokes? Do they use in-game cheats? Are they a ninja? Will they be a good fit for the guild culture (progression vs casual), etc?
2. Their aptitude: Even if they are undergeared, Would they be willing to learn new boss fights and do they have the raw skill that will make them great players once they get great gear. Do they listen or is it clear that they won't improve as players?
3. Their experience: What class, level, spec they are, what guilds they've been in and if they left, why did they leave?

Re: Got any Interviewing at Microsoft Questions?

Gretchen — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:56:04 GMT

These are great questions. Keep the coming!

blowdart: I did leave, but I came back about a year ago. I can't stay away from this place ... what can I say? :)

Re: Got any Interviewing at Microsoft Questions?

jason818_253.33 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:31:49 GMT

Two part question: What are the top 3 quality’s you look for in a candidate? And how would you vary those qualities if you were staring down a level 52 Flesh Giant?

Is Steve B still in charge of recruiting at Microsoft?

How does staffing facilitate recruitment for a company with nearly 90,000 employees? Sounds like a big task. How much more does Microsoft plan on growing? What are the hot jobs?

Re: Re: Got any Interviewing at Microsoft Questions?

Dan — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:23:35 GMT

LOL, these are good questions...I'll be interested to hear what they say!

Keep 'em coming :)

Re: Got any Interviewing at Microsoft Questions?

blowdart — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:43:03 GMT

I thought Gretchen had left. How cool.

I dare you to ask "How would you move Mount Fuji" :)

Re: Got any Interviewing at Microsoft Questions?

Maddus Mattus — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:37:36 GMT

Hey Dan!

Question: What's your best method of making canidates enthousiastic about Microsoft?

Question: I imagine Microsoft has a lot of job openings in a lot of departments, how do make sure you get the right person for the right job?

edit:

ohhhh,.. chime in! I get it now,... DOH!

Re: Got any Interviewing at Microsoft Questions?

Bass — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:32:59 GMT

Hard ball questions
------------------------
Serious question: What's the considered an average salary of an entry level Microsoft employee?

Google is rated the #1 "Best Company to Work For" according to Forbes. On the same ranking Microsoft trails distantly. If someone were to get job offers at both Google and Microsoft, why should someone accept the Microsoft position?

Related question: Is there any unique advantages or benefits to work for Microsoft versus the competition?

Softball questions
-----------------------

If someone had two weeks to prepare for a Microsoft interview, what would be the best way to do so?

What single aspect of computer science does Microsoft care about most?