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2007 Best Places to Launch A Career

6. Microsoft

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One Microsoft Way

Redmond, Washington 98052

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Whether you're a current or former employee—or a prospective job candidate—our forum on Microsoft provides a place for you to share your experience or learn from others

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Big bucks, great benefits, and your own digs—90% of entry-level hires get private offices.

Undergrad Internships

No. of undergrad internships in:

2005: 889

2006: 1,113

2007: 758

2006 interns from the following classes:

0% Freshman

4% Sophomores

24% Juniors

72% Seniors

0% Graduates

2006 interns from the following majors:

8% Business

63% Computer Science

1% Economics

29% Engineering

0% Liberal Arts

2% Math

1% Science

2% Undeclared

10% Other

100% of internships paid

0% of internships unpaid

Is there an offical summer internship program? Yes

Average length of summer program: 24 weeks

Minimum: 12 weeks

Maximum: 24 weeks

Average hourly wage: $NA

Are interns paid on lump sum basis? NA

Average total intern compensation: $NA

NA% of eligible 2006 interns received full-time job offers

NA% of interns with offers accepted

Applicants & New Hires

85 undergrad campuses where employer recruited 2006-07

NA* undergrad campuses where employer made job offers

Applicants for entry-level jobs

2005: NA

2006: NA

2007: NA

Entry-level hires

2005: 872

2006: 1,350

2007: 259

Entry-level hires who were undergrad interns

2005: 27%

2006: 23%

2007: NA*%

Most important characteristics for new hires:

1-Analytical Skills

3-Work Experience

2-Other

Individual excellence

2006 new hires majored in:

8% Business

63% Computer Science

1% Economics

13% Engineering

0% Liberal Arts

2% Math

1% Science

2% Undeclared

10% Other

...and are:

3% African American

4% Hispanic American

29% Asian American

2% Other

38% Total minorities

27% Female

NOTE: Microsft extended offers to students on 322 undergraduate campuses during 2006-07 school year, including schools where the company doesn't send recruiters.

Salary & Benefits

Entry-level hires since Jan. 1

Average base salary: $70,000 and above

0% earn less than $35,000

0% earn $35,000 to $39,999

0% earn $40,000 to $44,999

0% earn $45,000 to $49,999

0% earn $50,000 to $54,999

0% earn $55,000 to $59,999

5% earn $60,000 to $64,999

7% earn $65,000 to $69,999

88% earn $70,000 and above

Bonuses, Overtime & Perks

17% received signing bonuses

Average signing bonus: $4,438

100% received performance bonus first year on job

Average performance bonus, 2006: $6,000

0% of 2006 entry-level hires eligible for OT

100% of 2006 entry-level hires not eligible for OT

Reimburse employees for ed expenses?: Yes

Do employees become eligible immediately?: Yes

Maximum annual education reimbursement: $7,500

Full grad school sponsorship for jr. level employees? No

Partial grad school sponsorship for jr. level employees? Yes

Time Off

Is there a Paid Time Off (PTO) Bank? Yes

If no, total paid vacation days:

During first year: NA

After 1 year: NA

After 3 years: NA

After 5 years: NA

After 10 years: NA

Total paid holidays: NA

Time off for religious observances: NA

If yes, max PTO days:

During first year: 25

After 1 year: 25

After 3 years: 25

After 5 years: 25

After 10 years: 30

Total days off for religious observances: NA

Is flex time available? Yes

Sick, personal days, first year: NA

Health Benefits

Do entry-level hires have access to health plan? Yes

Employees pay part of the cost? No

Does health plan provide dental coverage? Yes

Extra charge for dental coverage? No

Does health plan provide vision coverage? Yes

Extra charge for vision coverage? No

Are same sex partners permitted as dependents? Yes

Pension and Profit-sharing

Do entry-level hires have access to 401(k)? Yes

0 months to full vesting in 401(k)

Max. company match as a percentage of salary: 3%

Min. employee set-aside as a percentage of salary to receive max. co. match: 6%

If 401(k) match not calculated as percentage of salary, explain:

In lieu of matching 401 (k) contributions, company has a Supplemental Employee Retirement Program (SERP). In recent years, company has contributed 8% of employee's salary.

Are entry-level hires eligible for co-funded pension? No

Months to full vesting in co-funded pension: NA

Are entry-level hires eligible for profit-sharing program? No

Months to full vesting in profit-sharing program: NA

Maternity/Paternity Leave

Maximum Maternity Leave

60 days during first year

60 days after 1 year

60 days after 3 years

60 days after 5 years

Maximum Paternity Leave

20 days during first year

20 days after 1 year

20 days after 3 years

20 days after 5 years

Other Benefits

Does company match employee charitable gifts? Yes*

Max. annual company match for employee charitable gifts: $12,000

Does company pay relocation expenses? Yes

Max. annual relocation expenses? $NA*

Employee Discounts

Car rentals*

Gym memberships

Cell phone/service

Insurance

Cultural events

Publications

NOTE: No limit on relocation reimbursement

Charitable matching includes matching dollars for employee gifts of time and money.

Microsoft offers discounts at restaurants, has on-site cafeterias, free premium coffee (Starbuck’s), software discounts, free beverages, showers, and discounted financial services.

Work Environment

45 hours worked weekly by entry-level hires on average

Does average vary by business unit, department? Yes

Entry-level hire work locations...

5% in open work stations

0% in cubicles

5% in shared offices

90% in private offices

0% have no company-supplied work space

Does organization monitor e-mail?: No

Does organization monitor Web usage? No

Typical dress code

Business Casual

Casual Fridays

Casual

Formal/Business

Does organization sponsor employee volunteer opportunities? Yes

Does organization offer employee daycare? Not offered*

Does organization have fitness facilities on site? Facilities not available*

NOTE: Microsoft offers emergency back-up day care, and many resources to secure day care. Other parental-related perks include: adoption assistance, 'Babies and You' Seminars, external parenting resources, and 'new mother' rooms on campus.

Microsoft offers a fitness club membership, which has several locations, and in Redmond there is a shuttle service from offices to the gym. Company also has locker and shower rooms available for use throughout the day.

Training Programs

Does your organization have a formal orientation program? Yes

If yes, how many days is it? 3

Orientation includes:

Guest Speakers

Diversity Exercises

Team Building Activities

Benefits enrollment, business overview

$1,500 average spent on training, per new hire, in 2006

Is there a formal leadership program for entry-level hires of a year or less? Yes

Manager at Microsoft*

Do candidates apply directly? No

If not, how is eligibility determined? Sponsor

When are new hires first eligible? Within First Year

Is program rotational? No

If yes, number of locations or business units: NA

Minimum rotations: NA

Maximum rotations: NA

Length of program, in weeks: NA

Minimum: NA weeks

Maximum: NA weeks

After program, employees offered permanent positions: NA

After program, do employees offered permanent position receive raise? NA

If yes, amount of typical raise: NA

Is there a formal leadership program for entry-level hires of a year or more? No

NA

Do candidates apply directly? NA

If not, how is eligibility determined?

NA

When are new hires first eligible? NA

Is program rotational? NA

If yes, number of locations or business units NA

Minimum rotations: NA

Maximum rotations: NA

Length of program, in weeks: NA

Minimum: NA weeks

Maximum: NA weeks

After program, employees offered permanent positions: NA

After program, do employees offered permanent position receive raise? NA

If yes, amount of typical raise: NA

Does company have formal mentorship program? Yes

30% of entry-level hires participate

NA days of additional training expected

NOTE: Managing at Microsoft is an online course for anyone who's interested in learning more about learning how to lead in the company (Last year 4,800 people attended). A one-day conference called Exploring Management is also available to attendees who are nominated by their managers.

Getting Ahead

Three-year retention rate: 75%

Five-year retention rate: 67%

How are raises determined?

Performance

When are entry-level hires eligible for first raise? Performance review starts in June; eligibility is based on start date

How are promotions determined?

Performance

When are entry-level hires eligible for first promotion? Promotions can occur at any time

Evaluations

Frequency of evaluations

NA

Important qualities

Other-Performance against commitments

Min. tenure in years required for job change: 1

Describe any rules that apply:

Long-Term Prospects

Does position of VP exist at this organization? Yes

If not, is there a comparable title? NA

No. of employees who hold VP or similar title: NA

No. of employees with VP or similar title with 20 years plus seniority: NA

Age of youngest employee with VP or similar title: NA

Seniority of youngest employee with VP or similar title in years: NA

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