What happens once you're hired at Microsoft
One of the first things you will do as a new Microsoft Employee is attend NEO (and learn that yes, we have an acronym for everything!). NEO (New Employee Orientation) is where you will spend your first day and a half as an new Microsoft Employee.
NEO provides the new Microsoft employee a great overview of the different resources available to new employees. It can feel a bit daunting because there is so much information shared during this session but don't worry! You receive a booklet for future reference to all that you heard in this session.
Networking is big at Microsoft and NEO is also your first opportunity to meet other new employees. You will be making new connections, exchanging stories and beginning your Microsoft journey!
Everyone’s first day at Microsoft begins on a Monday (unless Monday is a holiday) and you should expect to be in this session all day (9-5 pm – Lunch is provided for you on day one of NEO).
On the first day of NEO, you will learn about Microsoft’s mission, how the organizational structure works and what the culture is like. You will also receive detailed information about the benefits and get your paperwork completed for those benefits and payroll. Your first day will end with a trip to the Microsoft Visitors’ Center and the company store.
On your second day of NEO, you will be in session until about noon. You will be provided with an overview of corporate citizenship and a review of legal responsibilities and resources. On day two you will also get your employee badge. When you have completed this day, you are free to go to your new work location and start connecting with your manager and team. After that, it's all up to you and your team!
- Angela
19 Comments
Wayne said:
I’ve been working at Microsoft for a little over a year. I have some thoughts about what you see when you get here.
First, NEO was impressive, it is hard to believe how many people start the same week as you do! However acronyms aren’t just a Microsoft thing. At one company I worked I even put together a dictionary for everyone in the company to use.
For me, something else is uniquely different about Microsoft. It isn’t the flood of training … which is impressive but instead it is how you are treated once you are here. I worked at many companies in the past, but few treated people with as much respect as Microsoft does. My normal experience at a company has been a great offer and then a series of negatives. Microsoft has been very different, that offer was only okay, but over the last year most of the unexpected things have been positives.
Just to list a few …
- Being treated with respect everyday from day one.
- Paying $0 out of pocket for medical bills this last year.
- More than 50 free meals, some of them very nice ones over the last year.
- Management that encourages me to look out for my best career interests.
- All kinds of small perks here and there, free shirts, fun days, etc.
- So many exciting things being done by this company.
- Probably best of all, my kids love Microsoft at it is a very family friendly business.
I came from a custom to UNIX background. 20 years ago I was pretty anti-Microsoft. It has been a slow process for me to even get to the point where I would work for Microsoft. I had interviewed with Microsoft several times in the past and always ended the interview process myself. Now I wish I hadn’t. When I decided to give it a try, I didn’t expect much, after all the glory days of options were over. However, what I’ve learned is I could have expected a lot and still not have been disappointed. While the work is hard, the treatment is first rate compared to the places I worked at before.
Microsoft is a big company and I’m sure not everyone has the same great experience I’ve had. There are plenty of problems here, just like anywhere else. Still, this is a great company trying to become better every day. For me the last year has been a great experience. Oh and that okay offer, turned out to be a lot better than I expected. For me that is Microsoft.
Chris said:
I just accepted an offer, so this is good to hear. I can't wait to start!
Wayne said:
I probably got a little off-topic. I just felt that NEO was well explained to me in the offer documentation. It is all the on-going positives that was not explained or expected. I think that is partly why NEO exists is that Microsoft really wants people to be sucessful. It is really wrapped up in the culture here. That is why there can be so many positives.
Welcome aboard Chris! I hope your experience is even better than mine.
brunotg said:
i'm also a future employee, i signed the job offer a little bit more than a week ago, I'm very exited ... BUT .. since i'm an international hire, i must wait until october for my visa ... which is really a bummer...
any idea of what should we do while we wait? I understand that 6-8 weeks before my starting date i'll get in touch by my relocation advisor... before that i do not know if i'm going to hear about the process again, i guess i only shall wait until the visa results. anyway.... i got in touch with my manager who is a really great person and i'm looking forward to obtain my blue badge soon =D
regards,
Francesco said:
I also accepted an offer last week and will be starting June 2nd in the Sammamish Campus (about 15-20 minutes from the Redmond Campus, just outside of Seattle). I am beyond excited to start!
Sean Kearney said:
Someday... Someday.
Cool people and cool acronyms.
Now I HAVE to know, did the Neo come out BEFORE or AFTER the Matrix?
Just pure trivia... ;)
Logan Buesching said:
Francesco,
What a coincidence! I am going to start on the 2nd also, albeit I'll be in the Redmond campus. I am getting really excited myself and will be making the trip to Seattle in less than a month.
Francesco Esposito said:
Since the Redmond campus is like 15 minutes away, I have a feeling that NEO for Sammamish employees is done at the main campus. Atleast I hope so, the main campus is awsome.
Sohan said:
I wish I could also write something like 'What a coincidence! I am going to start on the ....'. I have always been a happy developer on the Microsoft based Products and Platforms. I haven't yet applied for MSFT, however I would definitely be looking forward for a chance. Keep the spirit up!
I Hate Linux said:
This morning I realized that one month ago yesterday (3/24) I arrived bright and early to building 43
Sean Kearney said:
Honest question.
I suspect this has GOT to have happened.
Has anybody ever broke down in tears from pure joy at getting hired?
I suspect it HAS to have happened.
Angela said:
I have been away on holiday but what a great discussion happening here around NEO.
Just to address a couple of the questions - new employees in the Puget Sound attend NEO on the Main Redmond Campus.
Yes - I have had people get teary-eyed when hearing they are receiving offers. I even had one person ask if they could call me right back for the details because they just HAD to call their parents in India to let them know they were going to work at MICROSOFT!
It was so great to see the comments about great experiences and excited new employees waiting to come on board!
J. Torres said:
Are all NEO's in Redmond Wash. regardless where your office is? How about MSFT overseas?
Thanks,
Angela said:
Int'l / Overseas hires have their own NEO locations.
said:
Yes, I work in Vancouver office, and we had our NEO in MCDC, not in Redmond. NEO covers some specific aspects of working in a particular subsidiary, so it cannot be the same for all. And yes, most have to have a US visa to be able to go down to Redmond :)
starting on may19th said:
I wish I would have changed my start date to june 2nd. It seems like a lot of people are joining on the 2nd. Maybe there could be a new employee meet where people who have joined in the past month or so could be gotten together?
The pacific northwest is alien to me, so I'm hoping to make new friends at the NEO!
Anybody else starting @ 19th?
A said:
I'll be joining on 10th Oct, 2011 and am really looking forward to it. I guess most of the international hires will be joining around the date due to the H1-B visas. Can we have a separate post so that the international hires know each other before they get there ?
-Thanks
Aristarchus said:
I just went through NEO today, it's now one day. All you described is spot on. Meeting new people and establishing new connections is what its all about. The world is your oyster at Microsoft.
admin said:
Love to hear all of your great NEO experiences!