I've read the Job's Blog. I've watched two of my coworkers get snapped up by MCS (shoutout to Dave and Mark - you lucky bastards). I've even met a number of Microsoft folks who are dumbfounded why I'm not already working for Microsoft. I've even been accused by some MCS folks as being more knowledgeable about Microsoft (the company) than anyone they know (man - I really should own stock)! You'd think I would have had the opportunity to work for Microsoft long ago - either in MCS or with MSN. But you'd be wrong.
I've been to the campus (C# SummerCamp / July 2002). I've submitted my resume into the "system" (which I hear sometimes takes years to bear fruit). I've had my resume passed into MCS via internal referal's. Nothing.
Then, back in May 2005... a non-Microsoft email caught my eye. It was for an SDE/T (Software Design Engineer / Test) position at the MSN campus. I figured it was some form of spam at first (since I have ZERO tester experience) - but then I followed up with Gretchen Ledgerd from the Job's Blog. Turns out it was legitimate... but the position filled before I could respond (or I assume since I never got an email response). As for having no tester experience - Gretchen said:
By the way, just for the record, we specifically don't look for tester experience when we hire SDETs b/c SDETs are developers with an empathy toward quality. If we look for testers at other companies, we don't find good SDETs. Just wanted to throw that in. :)"
Then last week - I got another knock. I don't think I'm ready to move out to Bellevue (funny that - isn't that a name synonamous with a famous insane asylum? hehe) with my 6 yo son living in Pennsylvania. Certainly flying him out might be too much for him this early on... but then again, it IS Microsoft.
My first Tech Screen unfortunately was also my last. I didn't know anything about SCRUM - and haven't even used MSF Agile (let alone read up on the Agile methodoligies). I've never even done a unit test. (though I do have an empathy towards quality <g>) It's OK. It would have been nice to make it a little bit farther... but even if it had worked out (eg. their requirements matched my skillset) - I'm not sure I would have wanted to move to Washington state just yet. Oh well, I'm happy with my position at MicroTech, LLC. - I just wish I had the time to get my ms-dev cert (now that the MCAD has gone away with .NET 2.0 -> Microsoft Certified Specialist?).
posted @ Sunday, March 05, 2006 9:00 PM