Microsoft is one of the leading companies in the field of technology. Many dream of landing a job here, but the competition is fierce. Last year, the company hired more than 1,000 interns; the number of applicants was significantly higher.
Christine Timm, Associate Director of the Careers Service, explains the importance of internships: "Internships have value in many ways - most obviously to gain career related experience. However, internships give people the opportunity to explore areas and to decide what they like and do not like about different fields. Internships provide a professional way to contribute to an organization and develop skills. Many employers first extend job offers to past interns, so an internship may be the key way to gain employment."
The following information will help students prepare for the application process at Microsoft.
What You Need To Know:
Learn about the company and the role for which you are applying. Microsoft is an internationally recognized corporation, which means that you should know more than just the obvious. Understand your own career goals and how Microsoft can help you reach these.
More importantly, know what you can bring to the table. Microsoft is looking for individuals with strong problem-solving skills with the ability to think creatively. Consider how your skills can have an impact on technology. Microsoft offers its employees a platform to change lives. Think about what this means and how you can do this in your role.
Erin Zuehlsdorff, the Nebraska recruiter for Microsoft, offers the following advice: "Take Data Structures and Algorithms as early as possible. This will prepare you for interviews and help you with the fundamentals of programming. Check out company blog sites to help you research the company beforehand- For example, Microsoftjobsblog.com has some great additional tips and stories! Remember to add “relevant experience” to your resume; this can include any side projects or class projects relevant to programming, testing, and/or design. The earlier you apply in Fall 2013 the better! Apply for a regular internship if you are a junior and the Explore Program if you are a freshman or sophomore. Programming competitions or clubs like the AWC/ACM are great for experience, networking, and your resume!"
How To Prepare:
Attend relevant career fairs. Microsoft was recently on campus during the Spring Career Fair at UNL. Opportunities such as these are important and a great way to develop contacts within the company. Contacts can provide insight into company values and what an average day is like in the life of a Microsoft employee.
Figure out your fit. Knowing your career goals will make you seem more knowledgable and goal-orientated. Reflect this in your application. Show that you will make a good fit within the company by knowing which department you would like to work in and what you would like to do. Technical internships are available in hardware engineering, software development, game design, IT and operations, content publishing, user experience.
Submit your application. Applications for Microsoft internships can be found on their careers website or can be handed in at a career fair. Be prepared to spend a significant amount of time working on and perfecting your application.
Land the interview. There are two interviews, which involve a phone interview or an on campus interview and a final interview. The final interview may be at the Redmond campus or the office at which the candidate is applying. If you are successful, you will be matched to the best position available for you.
Austin Lin, a Microsoft intern, provides insight into the interview process: “Microsoft’s recruiting process is definitely both fun and educational. An interview process helps the company get a better sense of your skills and interests. However, more importantly, it allows you to gauge the type of work you will be doing and what kind of environment you will be in. If you find the interview questions challenging and fun, the position is probably a good fit. If the questions are not challenging or not what you were looking for, shop around for other positions.”
If at first you don't succeed, try again. Use your time to prepare for next interview opportunity. Zuehlsdorff says, "If you don’t get an official internship this summer make your own “experience”. Consider making a windows phone app, a website for a small business, talk with your professors to see if you can assist with some programming related research, or check out http://www.dreamspark.com for other ideas. http://www.imaginecup.com is another great resource."
Finally, use the experience as a learning process. You will have the advantage of knowing what to expect in your next interview and can be better prepared.