Welcome Blogger Angela - Technical Recruiter for Server and Tools
Hi! I am Angela McLaughlin, Staffing Consultant (fancy name for Technical Recruiter) for the Managed Solutions Division (MSD) of Server and Tools (STB).
My Microsoft history goes something like this. I NEVER, EVER, EVER (did I say EVER?) anticipated or dreamed of working for Microsoft! I live in the Seattle/Redmond area, I use and love Microsoft Products...but working for the ‘Empire’ was never something on my ‘to-do’ list.
For the last 8+ years, I have worked as a technical recruiter in various companies and capacities – all in the Seattle/Redmond area. And boy have I heard stories about this place! Some good, some not so good and I'd always let the ‘not so good’ stories navigate me AWAY from Microsoft. I have my best friend to thank for encouraging me to ‘try it – since I might like it’.
So, in January 2006, I began my Microsoft journey as a contractor in the Live.com group. I did my best to keep an open mind, but when you are being bombarded with so much information and so many new ways to do things, it wasn’t easy. I was very lucky to have two great managers (famed blogger Jenna and another great manager Jen) who helped me navigate the Microsoft landscape. After a couple of months, I woke up one morning and realized that I actually loved my job! I was more than a bit shocked at first, but I quickly learned to just roll with it – loving my job wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to someone.
The love affair continued and I made the decision to throw myself to the interviewing ‘wolves’ to see if I had what it takes to become a full-time employee at Microsoft. Honestly? It was a terrifying experience but one that I enjoyed immensely! I've never been challenged like that in an interview and it made me really THINK about who I am, what I was doing and what I wanted to be when I grew up!
I officially joined the Server and Tools Recruiting Team in September 2006 and I am very happy to be here!
Oh yeah, and I do have a life outside of work! I love spending time with my kids (when they make time for mom – my daughter is 19 and my son is 21). For the last 17 years I've been spending my weekends on the side of a soccer field watching my son play and I love it! My daughter was never big into sports but she did do a bit of modeling and acting. I play piano when no one is listening, crochet baby blankets for OTHER people, play with my dog (Lola - The Sweetest Pitbull in the World) and I am a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan (and that isn’t easy in Seattle!)!
I look forward to posting to JobsBlog with my own recruiting perspective, and especially look forward to some good "conversations" with you all!
15 Comments
Saralynn said:
Well, so hurrah for one more old adage coming true (never say never!) and let’s not forget the famous “Try it you’ll like it” Mikeey kid on the TV commercial. This one really paid off for you and Microsoft and the many candidates and hiring managers you will positively impact. Good for you for diving in AND not jumping back out of the waters during that initial “shock”. I think that’s pretty good advice to give everybody that begins a new position. No matter how excited you are and think you know what you have accepted, give it time and almost always the rough spots seem to soften or disappear.
Ranjit Subramani said:
Hi Angela,
Let me introduce myself as Ranjit Subramani a software engineer based out of washington dc area. i have a couple of questions, hope you will be able to help me.
Ive been doing extensive research on microsoft jobs since last thursday, when i got an email from the server and tools business notifiying that they had seen my resume (not sure how i dint apply) and are interested in talking to me about opportunities with MS, specifically an SDET role.
giving you a brief of my background i had a Bachelors in Information Tech from india and a Masters in software engineering at Illinois Inst of technology, then moved to research for a couple of years at Oakridge national labs and then moved to a small company to work as a SW design/dev engineer. overall i have 4 + yrs of experience.
My current role is kind of broad with various responsibilites like coding, building automation tools for test, analysis and design, specs creation, coordinating with offshore teams as a lead developer.
My career aspirations were to proceed doing an MBA (in the prep work) and move myself into the technical management side of software industry. i have the flair for envisioning a product and transforming the picture in mind to specs and so forth, like more interested on putting into paper what needs to be created, how it needs to work, technical know how to back development , interface with clients and dev teams, coordinate and facilitate dev activities.
While researching MS jobs i found the title Program Managers. I have questions on what level of experience PM's require at MS. do they hire candidates with many years of Management experience or do they hire candidates with relevant background PM management knowledge (i.e via education) and sound technical background via work experience. Am i too soon to check out PM roles? should i have exhibited management experience in my work to try for PM roles with MS.
Although my current role fits into the SDET profile, moving forward i aspire to do more of design and analysis and management further down. i would really appreciate any suggestions in this regard , my interview with the recruiter is on Tuesday March 27th. I was hoping to give the recruiter a brief of what im doing at my current role and also my career aspirations for design and analysis.
Thanks for the help.
Ranjit.S
Eric Stutzman said:
Hi Angela!
Welcome to Jobsblogging! I havent been as active as I would like to recently but that is going to change! Look for my blog this week regarding NSBE as I will be in Columbus, OH attending this Thursday, Friday and Saturday!
Eric
Janelle said:
Welcome Angela!
I look forward to hearing what you have to say. Always nice to have a fresh perspective rather than our jaded ones on the jobsblog.
:) Janelle
Angela said:
Ranjit,
Thanks for your question! I am excited to hear that you are speaking to someone about an SDET role in Server and Tools.
Microsoft is a great place to ‘grow’ your career. SDETs play a key role in our ability to deliver solid products and services to our customers. The SDETs I have hired are enthusiastic about their positions because they get to know the WHOLE product or service. It isn’t uncommon at all that someone beginning their Microsoft career as an SDET would / could move into Program Management, Test Management SDEs or an assortment of other areas.
This is just ONE of the great things about working at Microsoft. Your possibilities here are endless! What you want to do with your future is important to Microsoft and there are processes in place to help you achieve your career goals.
We hire PMs at all levels. It is really just dependant on level of experience the product or service requires. We have PM positions open from junior to very senior levels across the company.
Angela said:
Saralynn / Erik / Janelle,
Thanks for the warm welcome and notes of encouragement. I am happy to be out here talking about something I love :)
Ranjit Subramani said:
Hi angela,
Thanks for the information, i was certainly enlightning. i did speak to the recruiter today (it got postponed), the interview went good, i should say microsoft has a unique way of identifying the strengths in candidates like in my case i wasnt sure where my strengths and weakness were, 20 minutes into the interview it was all known. im all excited to do the coding excercise which was explained as the next step. looking forward to it...
Ranjit.S
Chris Bell said:
Hi Angela,
Reading about your decision to join Microsoft got me excited and proud at the same time. This is an awesome company. I'm glad you decided to make the permanent move into what I think is the best recruiting organization in the world. Right now I'm at the NSBE conference in Columbus, Ohio recruiting some of the brightest talent in the world and I tell you, candidates are truly excited about the work we are doing here at Microsoft. Anyway, I just want to give you more confirmation that your decision to join MS was definitely a good one and every hire you make has an impact to our customer base. Not to mention the candidates life you change when you make the offer and they accept. I look forward to working with you more and hearing about your experiences as Recruiter at MS.
~Chris
Umar said:
Hi Angela,
I am actually interested in joining compiler or tools group at Microsoft. Is it possible if I can send my CV straight to you.
Well, I browsed through the microsoft jobs website, and disappointingly, I found it very hard to submit the CV..too complex for a user who is used to the simplicity of Google interface.
regards
Umar said:
Hi Angela,
Can you give your email!
regards
Angela said:
Hi Umar! A great way to get your resume to my group is sending it to MSDjobs@microsoft.com
You can also visit our career site at <a rel="nofollow" target="_new" href="https://www.microsoft.com/careers">https://www.microsoft.com/careers</a>
Shannon said:
Hey Ang, Congrats on Your New Position! I know you will excel, as always You have been an outstanding person, very bright too, so Proud of You My Favorite Cousin!
Much Love, Shan
Umar said:
Dear Angela,
I have sent you my CV today...
regards,
Ranjit Subramani said:
Hi Angela,
Its been a real good experience so far with the microsoft interview process. and the recruiters at MS should really take credit for the professionalism shown, one of the best(wasnt sure if i could name the recruiter here).....after the coding interview for SDET was over , waited patiently for 2 weeks and followed up with the recruiter, then i was setup for a phone call with the connected tools team. attended the interview which went well and was really amazed to find the team to be working on workflow and business process which ive been working on for two years. now its back to the silent wait period again for them to analyze and get back. finger crossed.....
Ranjit.S
Relationship Compatibility said:
By Angela McLaughlin Hi! I am Angela McLaughlin, Staffing Consultant (fancy name for Technical Recruiter) for the Managed Solutions Division (MSD) of Server and Tools (STB). My Microsoft history goes something like this. I NEVER, EVER, EVER (did I sa