Flying to Redmond

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I figured I'd start a new thread of my "adventures" getting ready to go to Redmond for a job interview with Microsoft. Here's the link to the saga thus far:

http://www.certforums.co.uk/forums/thread17451.html

I just got an email from the interview coordinator and omigawd, this is involved. I won't include all of the info since I don't know if Microsoft would appreciate their internal process being posted on a public website, but I'll put up a few highlights.

First off, I was asked to provide several different dates I could be available to fly up for the interviews (plural, because there will be several). It seems that a national holiday (the 4th of July) doesn't make much of an impact on their scheduling since they'd like this done in just over a week if possible.

Apparently, there will be lots and lots of documentation I'll need to access over the web after an interview date is set. It seems like there's quite a build up to all of this and it also seems that the interviews are an all day affair.

I get the impression that there is going to be an "in-depth probe" into my experiences and talents. I don't think this'll be like any interview process I've ever experienced before. I'm not sure even how to prepare.

It'll be easier once I have some sort of phone conversation with the coordinator...at least I think it will. So far, everyone's been very friendly and interactive and I guess the starkness of the latest email just got me off balance a bit.

I'll keep you posted.

 

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You're a Winner, Trip. (note the capital, and I don't mean the T).

I wanted to say more.

But the first statement stands up all by itself.



J.

 

Congrats on the news mate. This could be 'the one'.

Good luck with the interviews. I'm sure you won't have any problems mate.

 

Best of luck mate, keep us posted!

 

Well done James - you can do it!

 

Good luck

 

Trip i been missing from the scene recently and i just been catching up with this - Congrats mate and all the best in Redmond!

 

Hey Trip, thats great news congrats and good luck with the interview.

 

Good luck Trip, hope it works for you

 

Congratulations and good luck with the interview!

 

Since I'm recordng my experience of applying for a job at Microsoft, I thought I'd include this part, since it's pretty important. Considering this position means considering relocation to the Redmond area. We have to take a look at what we want to do with the house we own here, how that translates into housing in the Redmond area, cost of living, lifestyle, and all that other jazz. We have a financial adviser (actually, this is the first time I've ever met him...normally the missus handles all this stuff) and we set up a 7 a.m. meet with him to discuss all this. He's very bright and also really friendly and funny, which helped take the edge off the enormous aspects of the decision we are trying to make.

The single most helpful thing he offered was the idea of taking a worksheet in the interview with me that outlines all of my financial/cost-of-living concerns, putting the ball in the potential employer's court relative to smoothing the transition.

After all, having a larger base pay doesn't really help if I'm paying out a huge house payment every month (I don't have one now) and have to work an extra 15 years just to break even.

The missus and I will work out the details after I get home from work tonight. I'm starting to feel a little better about this part of the process now that I'm getting some context built in.

 

As part of the application process, I entered my resume and identifying data into Microsoft's careers database. I guess that's why I got the following email from a third party recruiter in the Redmond area. I took out certain identifying details just in case they have an issue with me posting this on a public website:

It never rains but it pours.

 

Here it comes! I just got two emails with the information I'll need for the interview. I have another 30 minute phone interview scheduled this Friday and then the face-to-face is set for Monday the 9th (wow, that's soon!). I'll fill in the details as I can.

 

Good luck mate.

I dont know if it helps, but I've heard about some interviews for coders with MS. Apparently the all-day interview is held with you being interviewed separately by several people - such as managers, people who would be working in your area, etc. From what I heard, each of these people have the capacity to Veto your application, and they will interview on various aspects.

I cant verify that this is entirely accurate, and it may be different for your field, but I thought id pass on what I'd heard anyway.

Good Luck!

 

Best of luck Trip!

 

Good luck trip

 

Next step in the process is complete. The reservations are cemented. Unfortunately, the only flight I could get out of Boise Sunday is at 7:55 a.m., My my first interview isn't until 9 a.m. the following morning so I'll have some time to kill. Guess I can play tourist for the day.

Yeah...my flight to and from is being paid for just as is my rental car and hotel. I can submit any additional expenses (meals) after I get back home. I'll actually be in the Seattle area 72 hours from now. The clock is ticking.

 

Good Luck mate