Should I get certifications before applying to Microsoft?
Dear JobsBlog:
I’m about to graduate from college and will have 13 months remaining on my GI Bill benefit, which can be used for certifications or other job training. Would Microsoft prefer that I had certifications in Microsoft products, or is that something I could be trained in upon hiring?
-GI Bill to Microsoft
Today's Dear JobsBlog will be answered by Guest JobsBlogger RJ Naugle.
Dear GI Bill to Microsoft:
Thank you for your question. I recommend that you do an assessment of the qualifications necessary for the position you are interested in and identify what skills you may lack for the job. If a job requires a Microsoft certification, it will usually specify it in the job description.
I always tell job candidates, specifically fellow military veterans, that there is no one cookie-cutter way to joining the ranks of Microsoft. However, there are several things you can do to up your chances of an interview.
First, you must apply for a position. Microsoft recruiters cannot screen your skills or interest in a said position until you have applied for it.
Second, you should tailor your resume to reflect the position of interest.
Third, it is always a good practice to network with people who have already made the transition and can tell you more about the company and (possibly) the position from an insider perspective. This can be done in numerous ways: Microsoft has Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages dedicated to recruiting talent, as well as our most recent Military Recruiting Careers page: www.westillserve.com.
-RJ
5 Comments
Ms Pallavi said:
will i be able to make my job easy with this certification???
BlogMS Weekly Articles Published – 22nd November 2010 to 29th November 2010 said:
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Michael said:
could you plese answer this follow-up question:
will i be able to make my job easy with this certification??? by Ms. Pallavi
Horace Highland Jr said:
Hello,
I love the new additions to the website! I would love them even more if I could get a response to my resume :) My dream is to pursue my passion and contribute to the success of the Interactive Entertainment Division. I wonder if there is anything I can do to enhance my visibility? Any advice would be much appreciated!
~ Horace Highland Jr, MBA
Justin Lynch said:
RJ offers decent advice regarding joining the ranks of Microsoft - application, tailored resume, and networking. Certifications are important, but not a requirement.
Going to work for MS might go something like this:
1. For example, say you apply for a PFE (Premier Field Engineer)/Consultant position. The hiring recruiter screens your resume, identifies you as a potential job candidate, and gives you a call. All goes well with the phone call and a technical interview (telephone) is scheduled with a PFE.
2. You kick off the interview with the PFE which last about 20 minutes. He or she validates your knowledge of the product/technology (to a certain degree) and gives you the thumbs up. Staffing/HR then calls you to set up an in-person interview. You are now on your way to "Finals Day."
3. Microsoft sets you up in a hotel room, where you spend the night, and prepare for the interview(s) the following day. Finals Day consists of multiple interviewers - i.e., a manager of sorts, and PFE(s)/consultant(s). These can last an intensive 45 minutes to an hour with each person, or as a group. Prepare to be grilled with questions, and don't forget to ask questions yourself. The interviewers will be evaluating your knowledge level, your personality, and how well you’ll deal with customers.
4. Microsoft will usually let know, within a week or two, whether or not you got the job. Of course networking helps. Having another MS employee refer you, or knowing other MS employees who can vouch for you certainly works in your favor.
Regards,
Justin