Firing and Hiring in Redmond -- Redmond Channel Partner

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Firing and Hiring in Redmond

Well, it's more laying off than firing, really, but it was interesting to read this week that Microsoft, which is so famously laying off 5,000 workers over the next 18 months or so, will also be hiring a couple thousand people during that time frame. We'll let the executives, accountants, lawyers and HR people sort all that out.

Posted by Lee Pender on February 03, 2009 at 6:53 PM

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Wed, Feb 4, 2009 Matt

Jorge,

I too, wanted to work for Microsoft (my cousin works there and loves it), but what I found out was that it wasn't a good fit for me. I flew up there twice last year for interviews and didn't like the minutia they wanted me to know. I also found the salary and bonus structure flawed. I was going to take a pay cut (from Colorado), which was a shocker. They kept my attention with the potential annual bonus. Sounds great, right? Well, not really. There is a quota per team, so only x% of the team can get a full bonus. I see the wheels turning now. "So you're saying that I'll be competing with my other team members for a bonus?" I asked. The interviewer nodded. "And since I'm the 'new guy', I probably don't have a very good chance of getting a high enough rating to get the full bonus, right?". The interviewer kind of shrugged her shoulders, but didn't answer.

So, if you can survive up there on an $80K base salary, and really want to work for a huge company, go for it. I can't, nor do I want to work for a big company again. Instead, I started my own consulting firm. So far, it's just me, but I really enjoy it.

My advice: Definitely interview up there. It'll be a learning experience. You'll learn a lot about answering questions you don't know, without saying "I don't know". Thinking on your feet, and solving problems without enough information.

I did get one riddle question: "If you have a truck in the middle of the desert, and have an infinite number of gas cans and an infinite amount of gasoline, how far will you be able to drive?". Without thinking about it I said "As far as you want, assuming your tires don't wear out and the transmission still works, and it's not a Ford." Not the answer they wanted.

Tue, Feb 3, 2009 Mike

This method of getting rid of people while employing new ones is quite common in the Computer Services business.

Have someone who knows a lot about X but you've just signed a contract to support SAP?

No problem. Employ someone who already knows SAP and can the guy who knows X.

Re-training costs money and time. Why bother.

(Yes, I have seen this personally at a company with over 2000 people working for it.)

Tue, Feb 3, 2009 Jorge Zapata, Texas. USA

Hello. I have a concern, or better, an interest.

I am a 42 years old person with a bachelors degree in Compuer Science and almost a master degree in Computer Science, one more course to complete, with a strong interest on working for Microsoft.

My question is: Does Microsoft bring oportunity to people around my age with a great potential in learning new technology and languages and with a strong desire of applying all of the knowleage adquired thru the years studying Computer Science Subjects ready to put them in practice? In other words, do you think there is still hope for people developing new skills but at cost of years of young to be hired by a company where this new knowleage could be applied?

Thank you for your attention.

Jorge