Wow, has it been this long since I posted? Neglect has no excuse. Not that I have a band of regular readers mind you. ;-)
The reasons? I have gone through the hiring process for Microsoft. Successfully I might add.
What a roller coaster way of getting a job. Here's what happened as I remember it.
1) I debated in renewing my MCT with Microsoft as I wasn't certain how much training I would be doing. My job at the time involved more software development with a sprinkling of content development. After reviewing the process and costs involved in re-entering the MCT realm, I decided to renew which was the cheaper and easier alternative.
As a result of renewing, I still had access to the MCT private newsgroups. This is where I first saw a posting for a technical reviewer for Microsoft Official Curriculum to which I applied and was accepted. This was merely a contracting opportunity but afforded me a contact with MS Learning. The next posting I came across, I thought was for another contracting position. I submitted my resume again.
2) I received an email from the poster indicating they received my resume and would get back to me by the end of the week. As promised, I received an email asking to set up a phone interview to which I accepted. I thought it a little strange as the other contracting position didn't require it but I went with the flow.
3) The day of the phone interview, I reminded my wife that I had a phone interview for this position to which she replied, “What interview?”. Ouch, forgot to tell her. Her comments were basically, “Who is this for? Microsoft? Aren't they in Seattle? I'm not moving to Seattle so forget it, don't even ask!!!”. Major ouch. I told her not to worry, it wasn't a full time position and even if it was, did she honestly think that MS would hire me??.
4) During the phone interview, I came to the realization that it was a full time position. WOW! My first question to them after they finished their line of questioning was if the position was location specific. They indicated it was and that I would have to relocate to Redmond. I let them know my wife's position and politely declined the job at the time. They were somewhat disappointed and notified me that I was considered a strong candidate for the job and they were sorry to hear I couldn't continue the process.
5) As you might expect, my next step was to go to my wife and explain to her just what I gave up for her. We discussed the implications of not moving forward with this and I reassured her that MS would not hire me in the end anyway, but I thought I should at least go through with the whole process. She agreed and I immediately went and called MS back hoping I hadn't shot myself in the foot. To my surprise, I hadn't and they were still very interested in interviewng me formally.
6) After the arrangements were put in place, I was flown to Redmond for my day of interviews. I arrived the day before and after getting lost twice, I found my hotel and tried to get some sleep. The whole interview process was like nothing I had ever gone through before. A full day of interviewing can be a little exhausting, especially when you are coming here from 4 time zones away.
7) I had the opportunity to interview with two Technologists who were working in the role that I was applying for. I also interviewed with a project manager and a content development manager as well as the manager for the team. My last scheduled interview was with the manager from 3-4 PM. When we finished our interview, she asked if I had a few minutes before I left to which I indicated I had the entire afternoon and evening as I wasn't flying out until the following day. When she returned, she asked if I had time to speak with her director as he wanted to meet me. I thought this was a good sign for sure. He and I had a great interview/chat and 1 1/2 hours later, I left Microsoft and headed back to my hotel for some food.
8) I called my wife who was of course on pins and needles and hadn't had any rest all day. I called her around 7 PST which was midnight at home. I told her about my day and the interviews and my thoughts on how things went. She asked me if I felt good about the job to which I replied, “I can't put my finger on why, but I think I got the job.”. It's very strange to feel that way. Most job interviews I have walked away from with no idea at all, but this one seemed so positive. Maybe it was because I had the mindset where I figured I had nothing to lose. Just to get interviewed at Microsoft was a highlight in my IT career. If I didn't get the job, I could at least say I had the opportunity to interview there. Not many people from New Brunswick, Canada can say that.
9) Approximately a week after I got back home, I was getting a little concerned that my recruiter hadn't followed up with me as she promised but left it at that. I still had this very positive feeling about the whole process. Meanwhile, my employer at the time, treated us all to the Star Wars Revenge of The Sith debut on a Thursday afternoon. We are a one vehicle family so my wife picked me up after the show. She very casually told me that Aimee, my recruiter had called. When I asked what she said, my wife only stated that Aimee would be out of the office for a couple of hours and that I should call her back later that day. My wife then made numerous stops at craft stores and such before we finally got home.
10) I called Aimee and was told that MS was extending me an offer for the position of Technologist with Microsoft Learning. I had such a great feeling come over me that was sort of like a relief. I sat down in the chair while she started explaining the details of the offer. Sitting down was a good idea. The offer totally blew me out of water. I had a minimum salary expectation in mind after reviewing the postings for jobs at the recruiting center but my offer was considerably more than I expected. Coupled with the benefits, there was no way I was refusing this. Of course I told her that I would have to discuss this with my family and I would get back to her.
11) I gather my wife, son and mother-in-law together for the news. Yes, mom-in-law lives with us. When I told my news, my wife looked at me and told me she knew they were going to offer me the job because Aimee told her earlier in the day when she first called. She just didn't know the details. Ever feel like choking somebody???? At any rate, we discussed the implications of the move and such and decided that we should at least try it. We would always wonder if we didn't follow through.
Why was the decision a bit hard to make? My wife had 15 years working for the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. She had a good paying job that she really enjoyed with lots of friends there. I really appreciate the sacrifice she made for me. Trying to find work for her out here, is proving a huge chore.
As for my former employer Derek Hatchard who owns Ardent Development, he was extremely happy for me and said if it were any other employer and not Microsoft, he would try to talk me out of it. He just didn't think he could on this one. I enjoyed my time at Ardent. Derek is a fantastic person to work for and all the guys there are great to work with. An awesome team.
Of course, just prior to Ardent, I worked at CompuCollege in Moncton as an IT instructor teacing networking and programming courses. CompuCollege was like a family to me. It was perhaps the hardest job to leave that I have ever run across. The people there were fantastic. Second to none for sure.
So now, I am in the process of finding my way around Microsoft and the way of big corporate life and big city life. A long way from home, but truly loving the adventure of it all.
Thanks Microsoft, specifically Janet Wilson and her team who had enough confidence in my abilities to hire me.
Sorry if this is long winded but it is one of my stories that I wanted to get down in writing before the details were lost in time. If you are thinking about applying for work at Microsoft, do your homework. Understand the job you are applying for, be prepared to ask questions as well as answer them. Ensure that you are clarifying requirements before answering the questions. Microsoft likes to see how you think through processes and problems rather than determining if you can get the right answer every time. Be prepared for a long day. Ensure you thank everyone for their time and confidence in you.
Very few make it to the formal interview process. Be thankful for that. You should be.
Lat of all, good luck to you. This is a great place to work. Smart people, great benefits and unlimited potential. GO FOR IT!.