Microsoft reviews

Not the most innovative company. Very slow-moving in terms of new markets. Given Microsoft's enormous size (almost 100k employees) it's easy to get lost and forgotten by management. Unfortunately, most of the industry looks down at Microsoft employees to the point where it's embarrassing to admit that you work there. Overall, externally, MS has a bad reputation, but as an employer I do think that their reputation is a good one. It's very difficult to start something new and innovative: only certain key employees are allowed to be involved in such things: the rest of us just slog along. Not a lot of self-reflection within the company (i.e. self-criticism).

management is terrible. many managers got into microsoft in the 90s when it was rapidly growing and quickly moved up the ladder when there was a low bar. today, some of them may not even be hired if they applied. they hold on to what they have by blocking anyone new below them from moving up. employees joining microsoft in the 2000s have a major turnover rate due to frustration of no career growth from this, not to mention lack of mentorship from incompetent managers above them. there is a highly unnecessary amount of managers and layers of management, its no wonder it took over 5 years to make vista. efficiency is impossible with this. consequently, poor management leads to a flat, non-growth value stock for 8 years or so. bright people with innovative ideas below management have a hard time getting their ideas pushed forward with the extreme bureaucracy. the review process is highly opinionated and more like a popularity contest, lacking objectivity based on actual performance.