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August 23, 2004

The Full-Time Thing

"So, if you're an intern, will Microsoft make you a full-time offer at the end of the summer?"

Since I've had this question put to me, in one way or another, by just about everyone I know, I thought this might be a good venue to talk about the internship process and how it seems to relate to the world of full-time, post-graduation work.

First, let me say right up front that I don't have an offer from Microsoft at this time. Officially, my last day of work here is September 3rd. Interns are temporary workers, contractors, tourists - we're here for 12 weeks, do a gig, go home. There's absolutely nothing guaranteed about post-intern work. Officially.

That said, Microsoft is clearly investing a lot of time and money in us. Interns go through a grueling interview process that's similar to that for full-time work. We have astounding access to senior executives in the company. And while we don't get health benefits, we do get paid holidays and a comp health club membership.

So neither fish nor foul, right?

The best way to think of the internship is that it's the World's Longest Job Interview. For 12 weeks, Microsoft will pay you to come to campus, put on a badge, and show them what you've got. Similarly, they try to make this place seem attractive and fun; a good place to hang your hat after school. So there's a delicate dance where each party gets to check the other out, see what they think, and make a more informed decision.

Sidebar: my favorite favorite favorite Microsoft joke:

Q: What's the difference between Microsoft and Jurassic Park?
A: One is a high-tech theme park where dangerous dinosaurs roam free and terrorize the population. The other is a film by Steven Spielberg.

But back to reality. After your midterm review, HR will check in with you to see how things are going and if you're happy. In my case, they asked me if I was interested in doing something with Microsoft after graduation (yes). Then they wanted to know if I was interested in coming back to Planning (hell, yes), or doing something else inside the company.

Because I dig Planning, my interviews are the simplest - just two. First is an interview with a HR person. This is followed by an interview with a long-term Microsoft employee, called an "as appropriate," to gauge long-term career fit with the business. Basically, this second interview is trying to answer the question, "Is Gavin just a good Planner, or does he have what it takes to contribute elsewhere in the business?"

These interviews happen this Thursday.

Had I elected to go to another part of the company, then HR would help me locate open positions in those areas where I was interested in working. From there, I'd go through another long series of formal interviews, much like the ones I did for the internship. I'd need to convince the group that I would be a good addition to their team, and so on. They might not take me, or I might find out that I wouldn't be happy there. It's very interactive.

So, assuming things go well later this week (and that my project doesn't detonate on me between now and next Friday, or something), there's a reasonable opportunity for me to return to school with an offer.

No pressure, right?

Posted by Gavin Shearer at August 23, 2004 11:27 AM. Posted to MSFT.

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