Q&A: How do a- or v- recruiters differ from employee recruiters?
JobsBlog readers have lots of questions. You ask questions in the comments; you email them to us; sometimes we even think you send them telepathically. It’s really hard for us to get to all the questions (and the majority of the questions are very similar) – so to make sure cover what you’re wondering most, we’ll answer your questions more often as blog posts. To start it off, I wanted to answer a question we received last week over email:
Question:
Hi JobsBloggers!
I've been reading the JobsBlog for a while, and I was wondering if you would be willing to address a question of mine. I was recently contacted by someone who signed his email "Search Wizards at Microsoft Corporation". It's pretty clear that this guy is legit (he has a Microsoft email address and inquired about a position for which I had specifically applied), but I haven't seen much about them. Also, the recruiter called me from a Georgia phone number.
So my questions are: Who are they? What role do they play in the recruiting process? Should a candidate expect the hiring process to be any different if they were contacted by one of them rather than if they were originally contacted by a member of an internal Microsoft team?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Answer:
Yes, you were contacted by a vendor for Microsoft and should expect no difference in the recruiting process. Microsoft Recruiting often works with vendors and agency temporaries, especially when there are big hiring influxes and we try to flex the business up and down. Besides Search Wizards, some other companies you might currently encounter working with us include Corestaff and Kelly Services. Also, this particular recruiter likely works out of a remote office, which is not a problem either.
So, go for it! There should be no difference for you …. He will guide you through the same process with the same information and should not give you any different of an experience than a full time Microsoft recruiter.
Best—Jenna
(who started at Microsoft as a contract recruiter too)
16 Comments
said:
Interesting. I know they are all Microosoft myself. But I think i guessed a long time along v- is volt a- seems to be hiring on the higher stuff.
I am most likely COMPLETELY and UTTERLY WRONG WRONG WRONG.
A could stand for "amazing" and v for "Vivacious".
I'll stick with the later answer even if the former is more correct. Much more fun.
Andrew said:
I would guess that a = actual and v = virtual...
said:
Nope... Can't be V for Virtual. I don't think the "Human Virtualization" Software has been past the alpha test.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_new" href="http://blogs.technet.com/canitpro/archive/2007/06/29/friday-funnies-don-t-mess-with-bruce.aspx">http://blogs.technet.com/canitpro/archive/2007/06/29/friday-funnies-don-t-mess-with-bruce.aspx</a>
Alex said:
Off topic, but since we are asking questions:
How should the negotiation of a later start date be best handled from the non-entry level candidate's side?
Should an "available date" be specified on the cover letter or during the initial contact with the recruiter? Are start dates, say 3-4 months after the application date acceptable or should a candidate try to apply for a position and start interviewing when he/she is on the verge of becoming immediately available?
I’m thinking that negotiation of the start date should be a rather usual occurrence for MS positions, since the process can take from weeks at best to years at worst for various reasons: lengthy interview process, deluge of candidates to be considered, school graduation dates, immigration and/or relocation aspects, finishing of a current project so you don’t leave your previous employer hanging, etc.
Any advice in this matter would be greatly appreciated, and would also help recruiters since candidates would be better prepared to respectfully deal with this issue.
Thank you! :)
said:
a- (or aydash) stands for agency temporary. v- (or veedash) stands for vendor. You can read more here: <a rel="nofollow" target="_new" href="http://blogs.msdn.com/jobsblog/archive/2004/07/15/184628.aspx">http://blogs.msdn.com/jobsblog/archive/2004/07/15/184628.aspx</a>
gretchen
said:
Alex - This is a conversation to have with your recruiter during the first phone call. Once you're contacted by a recruiter, the hiring process (preliminary interviews, interview scheduling, final interviews, offer .... and also including the notice we know you'd want to give your current employer before leaving ... and moving time if you aren't local) can be around 2 to 3 months. I usually suggest you start submitting applications 3 to 4 months before you'd actually be ready to make the move.
gretchen
MS said:
Hi there!
I don't usually write much, but I always read the blogs, and have to say the last few posts have been great! From getting a view on how life at Msoft would be, to interview tips and process explanation, its great feedback for all applicants.
I was recently offered a job at Redmond as an SDET and will be joining soon, and the posts found here have been tremendously usefull. It was even great actually meeting some of the people that were described in this blog in person during the on-site interviews (<a rel="nofollow" target="_new" href="http://blogs.msdn.com/jobsblog/archive/2007/08/09/meet-microsoft-s-international-recruiters.aspx">http://blogs.msdn.com/jobsblog/archive/2007/08/09/meet-microsoft-s-international-recruiters.aspx</a>)
Just as my final 2 cents, I think it would be particularly usefull considering this blog is mostly focused on technical positions, to include some links or sample interview questions like the palindrome from Channel 9. More than an actual answer to a possible question, what's great is that it really gives a great insight on how to show your thinking process and ask clarifying questions, etc.
Finally, I just wanted to ask if there were any other extensions that were used for example for legal or relo departments. So far I have had contact with full time, a-, v-, mshires, travel, and I always try and double check incoming emails to see if I don't accidentally delete an important message.
Once again, congratulations and thanks for providing this excellent feedback to the applicant community, hope to meet more of you soon in person!
MS said:
I just forgot - would also be great if possible applicants could know ahead of time when the interview tours to their region will be happening in the next few months, so that they send their resumes before that!
Alex said:
Thank you Gretchen for your quick reply! :) With this out of the way, I can now concentrate on the important stuff.
said:
Interesting post on the a- v-.
All this time I honestly thought "V" was for "Volt corporation"
DJae said:
I am a v-dash employee (off site working for a vendor) and am interviewing at the Microsoft Campus next week for two other contracting positions. It's been very difficult to get an interview with MS itself and I'm thrilled and (nervous as heck) to finally get to the next step. My goal is to go in, get the job and get offered a full time MS employee after the contracting position is up.
Having said all of this, those who want a career at MS, it doesn't hurt to start in as a contractor to get your foot in the door. As Pat Munn states, it's tough to get in at MS. You might have to stop worrying about your ego and expand yourself.
Wish me luck!
djae said:
That was a strange post. Do you even work for MS?
said:
*Cough* not yet... *cough cough* not yet...
Someday I hope but not yet.
Just an "overenthusiastic" internet participant... :P
Microsoft's JobsBlog said:
A few weeks, Jenna mentioned we’re planning to do a better job of addressing your questions via new blog
said:
My ego? Sorry I ran out of those and had waffles for breakfast instead...
"Lego my ego don't set it free, don't scare off my family"
Sorry bad pun. I'll go back into my little corner now... :)
Yes yes yes, I know Eggo is spelt with the seccond "G".... B)
said:
Actually that's not completely true. I DO get to contribute to the Funny Fridays up here on the Canadian Site.
The pay is null but is sure IS a blast!
Sean
Funny Fridays Guy