Microsoft reviews

There is a bias towards doing things 'the microsoft way', even when that way may not be the best. New employees who joinn the company with lots of experience are not gven as much opportunity to contribute as they can.

Raises are not the best. While you start off higher than two thirds of comparable jobs the raises that are not accompanied with promotions are less than 4% with most being in the 2 to 3% range. If you miss a single commitment even by a hair that raise could be 0%. You have to be willing to relocate or travel more than 50% of the time to have greater opportunities than most to advance. If you do dig in and go the extra mile you'll most likely be rewarded for it especially if it positively impacts the business unit as a whole but you'll have raised the bar for yourself and your peers - they'll be expected to do as much (or more) and so will you from that point forward. If you worked at a marathon-like pace you'll never be able to sustain that from year to year. You'll burn yourself out trying and ultimately alienate yourself from your peers.