Entries tagged 'working-at-msft'

  • Mon April 18, 2011

    Balancing work and kids: real advice for real life

    MicrospottingThe 'Softie in question: Anshu KhuranaMicrosoft Employee, Anshu Khurana

    Job title: Sr. Product Marketing Manager
     
    There’s no instruction manual to manage modern family life. Combining parenthood and full-time work means a docket of conflicts and stresses, who-does-the-housework-questions… and joy. For Anshu Khurana, senior product marketing manager in Microsoft advertising, who has two children under the age of 4, the goal of being professional, accomplished, and nurturing is rich and meaningful. Consider this Microspotting post a little “Coffee Tawk” with a successful woman who is keeping all the balls in the air—while keeping it real.

    You have two small children and work full-time at Microsoft. What helps you juggle your job and your kids?
    First, you are right that it really is a juggling act! For me, I take a moment to prioritize each day and determine what is critical for the week. Then my husband and I determine what we can do for ourselves and what can be outsourced. For instance, only I can be the mother of my kids, that’s non-negotiable. But someone else can help us with the cooking and cleaning. It’s human nature that we want to do everything ourselves, but clearly there is not enough time in the day. It helps for me to set limits and not feel guilty about it. An example is that I might say to myself, “This weekend, there will be absolutely no emails until Sunday night.” Or I will plan to pick up my kids and have family time with my husband at home for the next four hours, unwind and go to bed.
     
    Have you learned any lessons from your children that serve you well at work?
    Patience. With two kids under age 4, I am now a more patient person. With kids you have to stop, listen, and explain the tiniest of details. You can incorporate that quality into your personality, and it shows at work. Also, being a mom, I am more compassionate and empathetic. So if other folks around me are going through personal stuff and need space, I find that I am more sympathetic.

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  • Wed October 6, 2010

    A video tour of Microsoft's ultra-modern Oslo office

    One of the many great things about working for Microsoft is the global presence of the company. Although headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA, Microsoft has offices all over the world.

    If you want to take your career in an international direction, use your language skills, live and work abroad - we have just about every oppotunity that you can imagine... and then a few more.

    I recently had the chance to visit Microsoft Norway's ultra-modern office in Oslo. The office was beautiful, was easy to access with public transportation and everyone I met was as friendly as could be.

    Check out my quick video tour of the office, which includes a couple of interviews with Microsoft Norway employees:

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  • Thu September 9, 2010

    Even in the Cloud, a good manager is essential

    Chandra in the Cloud‘Softie in question: Chandra Prasad

    Job title: Development Manager in the Distributed Application Server group in the Business Platform Division

    Chandra on the forefront of the Cloud. He works on the AppFabric Foundation on Windows Server and Windows Azure.  In simple terms, Chandra oversees the development of some of the most cutting-edge technology in the world. That said, he believes that even in the most advanced of work environments, there is great value in a reliable manager.

    Chandra, how did a manager affect your success at Microsoft?
    I joined Microsoft as an industry hire with 15+ years of industry experience. While this experience was was relevant, it was even more important that I contextualized this experience to Microsoft. The manager who hired me into Microsoft played a crucial role in helping me fit my past experience into my new position at Microsoft, providing me with the right set of opportunities to showcase my strengths and establish credibility on the team. He helped me to build connections and networks that served me well.

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  • Wed September 1, 2010

    Randall Boseman: a Microsoft ambassador of technology and diversity

    Randall Boseman'Softie in question: Randall Boseman

    Job title: Principal Test Manager - SDET - Office.com

    Randall, what is hot in Office right now?  Can we expect more of Microsoft Office online and now with a mobile piece to the business?
    Services. Nowadays it’s all about software + services. People work and switch between different devices (a pc at both home and the office, tablets, phone, browser) multiple times a day. We’ve got to allow them to be able to remain productive and have their work follow them seamlessly. I’d say, yes, there’s plenty coming in terms of innovation, platform integration and experience improvement - mobile will definitely be a part of that.

    You are a great technology and diversity ambassador with The National Society of Black Engineers and more. Can you share with us why you chose Microsoft, Office, and the SDET discipline?
    When I was finishing up at school, if you wanted to do serious software, MS was the place. The number of products, customers and the potential… wow! I still think that is the case. Microsoft is an awesome company. There are brilliant people here with a lot of passion and focus. 

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