Meet Eric Stutzman

Posted Dec 17 2008 7:50 AM by the JobsBloggers

By Eric Stutzman

Hi - I am Eric Stutzman, Staffing Consultant for Microsoft Business Division with a current focus on Microsoft Business Solutions and Office Live.  My role is a bit different than your typical staffing consultant in that I am focused on candidate generation.  That means the lions share of my time is devoted to seeking out and qualifying…you!  This is very rewarding as I get to be the first (ok in some cases Nth ;-)) contact between you and Microsoft.  I focus on Core Tech positions; Software Development Engineers, Software Development Engineers in Test and Program Managers for the most part.  Prior to Microsoft I was working at an agency in Atlanta where I helped them establish and build out a “growth” business.  It started with a Project Manager and me and when I left it had grown to about 5 Project Managers and about 30 Recruiters.  I have also spent time in numerous start-ups taking two of them public and seeing one acquire a competitor and then be acquired by Yahoo!  I cut my teeth in the recruiting world from 96-98 at Netscape.  

I wanted to share how I became a Microsoft employee, as it was an experiment of mine and I am proof positive that you can move from contractor to FTE position at Microsoft!  About three months before my son (my first child) was born I sat down with a sheet of paper and researched companies that had to answer the following criteria; longevity, stability, “the best” benefits, competitive compensation, remote work position and “soft” benefits.  Microsoft quickly made it to the number 1 spot.  During my pursuit I was offered a 3 month contract (mind you this was 2 weeks after my son’s birth) with Microsoft.  After weighing the odds and discussing (ok, getting permission from :-) with my wife I put my notice in at my fulltime benefited position for a 3 month contract. SCARY and EXCITING all at the same time, yet the risk paid off!  I was also able to turn down my second choice company during my 3 month extension.  That took a little more convincing with my wife, but it worked and she couldn’t be happier or more proud of me.

When not working (yes it does happen and in fact the ink is still drying on my work/life balance commitments :-) I spend time with my wife Susan and son Drake who is 10 months old.  We enjoy walks in the neighborhood with our 2 dogs Schultzy a German Shepherd and Cassidy an Australian Cattle Dog, both rescues.  I also enjoy reading, playing mandolin and have recently started up martial arts training in armored medieval combat again.

13 Comments

  • HeatherLeigh said:

    hey Eric....welcome to the recruiting blogosphere (yes I just said that and no, I didn't make it up) and to Microsoft!

  • Eric Stutzman said:

    Thanks Heather!  Blogsphere, eh?  Is that something you are thinking about incorporating into your new title? :)

  • Lav said:

    Eric,


    Nice to meet you.


    Thats great that your risk with microsoft paid off.


    I am looking forward to your contributions on this blog to help me and other microsoft wannabies to achieve our goal.





    Thanks and welcome





    Lav

  • Muhammad Haseeb Khan said:

    Hi Eric





    Nice to see you on Jobsblog.





    Will wait for your informative postings.





    Regards





    Muhammad Haseeb Khan

  • HeatherLeigh said:

    I don't think so...definitely trying to avoid blgging hipsterisms like that and "web 2.0".





    Of course if I could have come up with something as simple and clear as "jobsblog", I wouldn't be in this predicament!

  • andy said:

    hi Eric,


    welcome to Microsoft!!


    i followed the jobsblog quite actively and posted numerous questions for "the suggestion kitty" aka gretchen.


    this blog was of immense help to me in my interviews and hope that it continues to grow more popular.

  • Technical Careers @ Microsoft : Enter Liz said:

    PingBack from <a rel="nofollow" target="_new" href="https://blogs.msdn.com:443/jobsblog/archive/2006/06/23/643400.aspx">https://blogs.msdn.com:443/jobsblog/archive/2006/06/23/643400.aspx</a>

  • Jez said:

    Hi!





    Quote:





    "When not working (yes it does happen and in fact the ink is still drying on my work/life balance commitments :-)"





    End quote





    Hmmm. What are the expected number of hours per working day at Microsoft? are prospective employers expected to put in nine-to-five-plus-eight-more or are the hours fair?





    I'm really keen to apply to Microsoft - there's a wonderful position available - yet I don't want to miss out on family life.





    Thanks for your time,





    Jez

  • http://msdn.technetweb3.orcsweb.com/jobsblog/archive/2006/06/21/639957.aspx said:

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