tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post7724554116624746518..comments2024-03-18T12:52:48.117-07:00Comments on Mini-Microsoft: Microsoft Annual Review 2011Who da'Punkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18205453956191063442noreply@blogger.comBlogger1309125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-83047787982484746702014-03-03T18:19:10.422-08:002014-03-03T18:19:10.422-08:00Thanks for the great articles in this site <3 a...Thanks for the great articles in this site <3 and share all knowledge !!Annual performance review samplehttp://performanceappraisal.biz/annual-performance-review-sample/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-51337596963482990612014-02-26T02:55:17.500-08:002014-02-26T02:55:17.500-08:00Does MS ever considers a 5 for rehire in future at...Does MS ever considers a 5 for rehire in future at all? Or its a big NO for life time to work with MS?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-14800115597521860532011-11-11T06:14:17.354-08:002011-11-11T06:14:17.354-08:00Microsoft's glaring weakness is its inability ...Microsoft's glaring weakness is its inability to distinguish the difference between Leadership and Management. This is a 'managed' company, not a 'led' company. In parallel to that, it's also a 'revenue' company, rather than an 'innovation' company. Leadership reflexivly mouth the 'people are our most important asset' and can't seem to detect the hypocrasy of doing so after the first layoffs in a generation.<br /><br />It's very hard to be agile with bags of gold coins in your back pocket.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-71508027665483287762011-11-10T19:21:10.011-08:002011-11-10T19:21:10.011-08:00L60
no promo (recieved on last review, not expecti...L60<br />no promo (recieved on last review, not expecting another this time)<br />Bucket: 3<br />standard 3 rewards, which were great for what i do.<br /><br />i just left the company for a new, better opportunity. this review was not the sole driver of this decision, but it was the catalyst to looking. my feedback to my leadership chain and hr in my exit interview was that my review content and financial rewards were great, but the "3" just didn't seem to fit after you read the review, client feedback, clearly exceeded commitments, etc. it just didn't read like an "average to below average" review.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-14357388685340334482011-11-09T07:22:59.999-08:002011-11-09T07:22:59.999-08:00L63 @ SMSG
Bucket :5
Yrs@MS : 11+
Outcome: left MS...L63 @ SMSG<br />Bucket :5<br />Yrs@MS : 11+<br />Outcome: left MS<br />No warning, asked why and told forced curve is at each level. So it means you can be a good performer at your level but you get a poor rating vs. a lousy performer at another level.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-88156846299826238852011-11-03T08:15:24.738-07:002011-11-03T08:15:24.738-07:00I'm not sure anyone is still reading this thre...I'm not sure anyone is still reading this thread but I'm wondering how life is for my fellow 5s that were told "curve, sorry" with some BS about the "how" but not asked to leave. <br /><br />My boss is still struggling with helping me come up with anything resembling an improvement plan, or identifying who has the "perception issue" about me. The stress of this seems to be driving her to solve by trying to get me an equivalent position in someone else's team because she can't promise I won't get a 5 again next year. Her boss, and my GM in contrast both say "we believe in you!"<br /><br />Anyone else with mixed messages?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-52502672544733536522011-10-31T22:29:04.654-07:002011-10-31T22:29:04.654-07:00I have a recording of a CSS manager meeting where ...<i>I have a recording of a CSS manager meeting where Marlena Werder openly discusses how one of her first accomplishments at IBM was firing 5 male employees; 25 year veterans all over 55.<br /><br />Just give me a location to post. It's 22mb in size</i><br /><br />You could setup a Gmail or Yahoo Email account that does not resemble your name and then get a free UTube account, but you do realize that posting a clip like this is illegal since I doubt they gave you consent. <br /><br />You may want to hang on to it though, there's nothing that says you can't play it back to a lawyer in private to get advice. Plus, if you can memorize it accurately enough so that if a class action ever came up, you could repeat what was said verbatim so that it could not easily be denied.<br /><br />That clip by itsel isn't that significant, you would have to show a much greater pattern and produce numbers. There has been a lot of mention of potential class-actions, including reverse-discrimination. There may be a chance on age discrimination if you can gather statistics that show disparate impact, i.e. the percent of older employees being forced out/ranked lower is significantly higher than younger ones. <br /><br />Trying to win a case on reverse discrimination for being either male or white would take a mountain of evidence, especially since Microsoft still has a very low percentage of female and non-white employees.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-42238773071879908522011-10-31T22:00:07.436-07:002011-10-31T22:00:07.436-07:00L59, hired 9 months ago as a fresher..
Had worked ...<i>L59, hired 9 months ago as a fresher..<br />Had worked into MS for 6 months..got a decent 3..but during my review my manager tells me that 'THE COMPANY' wants me to resign over a blog post that I had written..</i><br /><br />I assume this was an external non-anonymous blog post? Link, please? Or did you post anonymously somewhere (like here) and they figured it out because of too much information?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-65683973194130137862011-10-27T09:45:49.812-07:002011-10-27T09:45:49.812-07:00L66
Bucket: 3
Total Comp: 10% less than previous y...L66<br />Bucket: 3<br />Total Comp: 10% less than previous year<br /><br />I was a HiPo, went through Bench, had seriously upped my commitment, my time, and my travel last year, and was quite suprised by the bucket outcome. No transparency, and a manager full of apology ("I fought for a 2 for you"). I have subsequently left MS, and the new company had no problem providing a significant bump in pay.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-84594922897553719212011-10-26T15:22:39.077-07:002011-10-26T15:22:39.077-07:00Some of the questions here having me just shaking ...<i>Some of the questions here having me just shaking my head. What could possibly be more important to you at your job than understanding how your pay system works? </i><br /><br />How about things like:<br />* am I doing anything productive/profitable/salable?<br />* are the people around me treating me with respect?<br />* do I have a chance to learn anything?<br />* am I happy with how my job is going?<br /><br />We live in a big world, with lots of opportunity for smart people (you passed that implicit bar when you got hired). You don't have to be a money-grubbing wage slave to be successful in life. And you don't have to place these games if you want to work at a place with more respect for talented collaboration.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-6602396593272617832011-10-22T16:04:01.979-07:002011-10-22T16:04:01.979-07:00L63
Bucket:5
Merit:0
Bonus:0
Stock:0
Years at MSFT...L63<br />Bucket:5<br />Merit:0<br />Bonus:0<br />Stock:0<br />Years at MSFT:13<br />Scorecard - all green<br />Reason: Needless escalations - sales rep called manager about information needed from me next day while I was at TechReady - written up as 'lack of communication skills'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-17247784322424575002011-10-20T21:47:22.562-07:002011-10-20T21:47:22.562-07:00Terminated today...Was given a 5 at annual review ...Terminated today...Was given a 5 at annual review due to my own stupidity of not being able to navigate a highly political org. My level and scope of my role did not align last year, and when I tried to make a larger impact I was stifled and on the way to being managed out. Shame on me for pitching projects and business cases that would have benefited our team and business. Shame on me for having ideas that would have positioned us to meet the demands of our stakeholders and groups outside of the org.<br /><br />After annual review, rock star in my group offered to mentor me, told my manager that I was worth investing time in. We worked on a development plan with clear ties back into competency model, career stage profile, and created a rock solid set of commitments.<br /><br />Had a whopping 20 business days from the time of my review until term today.<br /><br />Was told that I didn't demonstrate enough progress in this time frame (20 biz days) to change the minds of leadership.<br /><br />Seems reasonable, doesn't it? <br /><br />Goodbye Microsoft. May you continue to hold on to dinosaurs and corporate parasites for managers making decisions that are motivated by fear.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-47651231766841834992011-10-15T11:14:11.397-07:002011-10-15T11:14:11.397-07:00L59, hired 9 months ago as a fresher..
Had worked ...L59, hired 9 months ago as a fresher..<br />Had worked into MS for 6 months..got a decent 3..but during my review my manager tells me that 'THE COMPANY' wants me to resign over a blog post that I had written..What Suckers!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-31513776147313275942011-10-14T11:29:48.159-07:002011-10-14T11:29:48.159-07:00Management at Microsoft - Does the shoe fit?
What ...Management at Microsoft - Does the shoe fit?<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO0NgR4cPe0&feature=player_embedded" rel="nofollow">What are Vogons?></a><br />More info on Vogons:<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENgdM87Cqjg" rel="nofollow">Introduction to the Vogons></a><br />Further commentary on Vogons:Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-15159885241306347762011-10-13T17:09:52.177-07:002011-10-13T17:09:52.177-07:00maybe i'm completly off base here, but here...maybe i'm completly off base here, but here's my vision of what's going on at MSFT...<br /><br />http://www.maccouch.com/2011/10/zero-sum-game/<br /><br />it can be summed up in to sentences:<br /><br />" What i do understand is this: When you turn the assessment of individuals on the same team into a zero-sum game, you’ve just activated the self-destruct mode. No one can win in that game.<br /><br />Steve Ballmer may one day get fired but when that happens what will be left to rebuild MSFT with? One hundred thousand back-stabbing “politicians”? It barely seems a good fit for a technology company [...] "<br /><br /><br />---- <br /><br />and i still say MSFT should assume Office as its flag product and produce it to every platform and device (specifically iOS) and stop the "we can't hurt windows" crap. that theory will destroy msft.philiphttp://www.maccouch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-34988269757772441392011-10-13T10:52:23.103-07:002011-10-13T10:52:23.103-07:00Those of you at corporate have good gigs but the f...Those of you at corporate have good gigs but the field is where you want to go for serious compensation. There are many field-based 65, 66, & 67 that would likely be 63, 64 & 65s at corporate. Engineering talent at MS is critical but sales/services is where the money isAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-58933207023148280412011-10-13T07:56:47.306-07:002011-10-13T07:56:47.306-07:00I have a recording of a CSS manager meeting where ...I have a recording of a CSS manager meeting where Marlena Werder openly discusses how one of her first accomplishments at IBM was firing 5 male employees; 25 year veterans all over 55.<br /><br />Just give me a location to post. It's 22mb in size.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-12752051189509359222011-10-11T00:27:35.302-07:002011-10-11T00:27:35.302-07:00134 K for L64 is definitely very low but you must ...134 K for L64 is definitely very low but you must be having more by way of stock and bonus. I am L63, my base is 129K after review rating of 4 but I got hosed in stocks and bonus.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-49974194210910915032011-10-10T13:42:41.218-07:002011-10-10T13:42:41.218-07:00L64
Bucket:5
Merit:0
Bonus:0
Stock:0
Years at MSFT...L64<br />Bucket:5<br />Merit:0<br />Bonus:0<br />Stock:0<br />Years at MSFT:16<br />Ave Work Week:60+hrs/week<br />Reason: CurveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-45412950797130896692011-10-10T03:46:29.292-07:002011-10-10T03:46:29.292-07:00MSFT should hope that there is never a labor audit...<b>MSFT should hope that there is never a labor audit on the cases that exist in their system, because I suspect people will be joing to jail or getting sued for overcharging hours on premiere contracts</b><br />Are these Government Contracts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-45619425042665572472011-10-09T11:15:23.945-07:002011-10-09T11:15:23.945-07:00"$145K base sounds right for L64 new hire. No..."$145K base sounds right for L64 new hire. Normally people are brought in at about 90% of the midpoint salary for their level so they have room to grow and that's right where you landed with $145K at L64. They are definitely being honest with you."<br /><br />I have been a L64 for 4 years (non engineering role)and my base salary after FY11 review is $134k. When I asked about compa ratio I was told I am at .9 which is normal after being in level this long. All good reviews as L64 (Exceed before this year and 2 this year).<br /><br />Anybody know if this is normal? Based on data I am seeing here it doesn't feel right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-89857502578377362792011-10-09T07:59:53.147-07:002011-10-09T07:59:53.147-07:00they bumped me to L64 with $145k base.
I don'...<i>they bumped me to L64 with $145k base.</i><br /><br />I don't know how's your current company's review system, but at MSFT your competition at L64 will be fierce. Don't forget about forced curve. Someone must go every year, it can be you as well as anyone else in your stack. If you're ready to roll the dice then make sure your priorities are aligned with being highly political/influential and get ready to work really long hours (exceptions happen, but not common).<br /><br />Looking at your current situation (based on what you wrote) and perspectives at MSFT, I'd pass this offer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-78800392735904730442011-10-07T00:31:07.252-07:002011-10-07T00:31:07.252-07:00L61 dev, 3.5 years in level.
Bucket: 5
Merit: 0%
...L61 dev, 3.5 years in level.<br /><br />Bucket: 5<br />Merit: 0%<br />Promo: 0%<br />Bonus: $0<br />Stock: $0<br />Midyear: Going good.<br />Reason: (Officially) Curve.<br />Reason: Unofficially bad past review, too long in the same level, too long in company.<br /><br />Looking for a new job out side of MSFT.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-42774931006459534882011-10-06T22:49:24.462-07:002011-10-06T22:49:24.462-07:00Original poster here... thanks for the perspective...<i><br />Original poster here... thanks for the perspectives. I went back to them and they bumped me to L64 with $145k base. Bonus % stays the same, and they increased the sign on cash and stock somewhat. Still a paycut but not as painful. I asked for 150 base and they told me 145 is the best they can do due to constraints around what they can offer new hires. Does this ring true or false? I always get the sense that the recruiter not being fully honest.<br /><br />Why am I even considering this offer? Because I'm coming in from consulting and I want a career change. And Seattle is cheaper than where I currently am (lower rent, no state income tax)<br /></i><br /><br />The bump to L64 makes sense because L63 and L64 are in the same "level band". I figured it would be harder for them to move you to L65 because that crosses into the Principal band while the job position was probably scoped to the Senior band.<br /><br />$145K base sounds right for L64 new hire. Normally people are brought in at about 90% of the midpoint salary for their level so they have room to grow and that's right where you landed with $145K at L64. They are definitely being honest with you.<br /><br />The bonus target for L64 is the same as L63, 15% of bonus eligible salary. However the stock award target is higher, $24K vs. $17K.<br /><br />Given the trade off you are making, lower salary for lower expenses and lower taxes your move makes much more sense. Best of luck to you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-37459103258556309702011-10-06T18:13:38.010-07:002011-10-06T18:13:38.010-07:00"Hey guys, received an offer and I'm tryi..."Hey guys, received an offer and I'm trying to evaluate how reasonable it is for MSFT standards. It's for a L63 in finance - $135 base / 15% target bonus / $17 target annual stock. This is coming from my current comp of $200+ base + bonus (so 25-30% paycut). [...]"<br /><br />Original poster here... thanks for the perspectives. I went back to them and they bumped me to L64 with $145k base. Bonus % stays the same, and they increased the sign on cash and stock somewhat. Still a paycut but not as painful. I asked for 150 base and they told me 145 is the best they can do due to constraints around what they can offer new hires. Does this ring true or false? I always get the sense that the recruiter not being fully honest.<br /><br />Why am I even considering this offer? Because I'm coming in from consulting and I want a career change. And Seattle is cheaper than where I currently am (lower rent, no state income tax)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com