How to become a Microsoft Consultant
I've been a Microsoft consultant (aka vendor) for over 10 years. In that time, I've had a variety of job titles and worked in many different parts of the company. If you’re considering becoming a contractor at Microsoft, check out the information provided below to see if it's the right fit for you.
If you’re emotionally prepared to get a new job every 18-months, scroll to the bottom for Next Steps. FAQsIs working as a Microsoft vendor the best way to get my foot in the door?
Working as a vendor is a great way to get Microsoft experience, learn the language and become a part of Microsoft culture. Not only is it a great way to get your foot in the door at Microsoft, but it also looks great on your resume if you're interested in working at other tech companies. |
Do I need Microsoft experience?
Consulting companies want you to have Microsoft experience, but if you have job skills relevant to the position you're applying for, you will likely be considered for the role.
Is it easy to get a full-time role once you become a contractor?
Nope! It's not easy to bounce from a vendor role to a full-time employee (FTE) position in my experience. These transitions are largely based on relationships and headcount availability.
Do you get paid as much as a full-time employee?
It depends on the role, but for the most part, no. Also, as a vendor, your hourly rate is determined by the budget of the Microsoft group that’s filling the role. You may have a little room to negotiate, but for the most part, it’s take it or leave it.
Do you still get benefits and a 401K?
It depends on your employment contract and your consulting company. Most agencies offer competitive benefits because they’re competing against each other to land YOU as an employee.
What is the 18-6 rule?
Contractors at Microsoft are permitted to remain on the corporate network for 18 months and are then required to take a six-month break. Vendors can continue working in their position off the Microsoft network, but it's difficult to access internal websites and resources.
To learn more about the history behind the 6-month break, here's some research that gives historical context.
Why wouldn't I want to become a MSFT vendor?
Because you have an MBA. Please proceed straight to a fulltime position.
Alyssa, why the heck aren't YOU a full-time employee?
As a Marketing Communications professional, my role is typically one of supporting different lines of business. I don't own any line of business, so my role is not transferable to a full-time position. Also, I usually end up in interesting roles with fun teams and good managers. Interviewing is not my strong suit, so I'd rather focus on my 40-hour/ week job, transition to different roles to keep things fresh and leave time to support my non-Microsoft consulting clients. To me, this is a work/ work/ life balance that keeps me energized and engaged.
Super top secret intel: No one will tell you this, but some (not all) Microsoft hiring managers don't think vendors can transition to FTE roles. This likely means that if I want to become a full-time employee, I’ll have to leave Microsoft. (This is where the Stockholm Syndrome comes in because I love Microsoft.)
Benefits to remaining a vendor include having the freedom to focus on my deliverables and maintain a strict 40-hour work week.
Alyssa, based on your resume, you had some roles that ended abruptly at Microsoft. Will my 18-month contract be ended prematurely too?
While job insecurity is frustrating and difficult, like any job, there will be reasons you leave that have nothing to do with your performance. A few of my roles ended unexpectedly because:
Pro tip! Because everything is so fluid at Microsoft, you'll always need to go with the flow, keep your head down and focus on your work. In one role, I worked in a very tumultuous group. Goals and programs changed daily, but by focusing on my deliverables and communicating effectively with my manager and team, I remained in role for 3 1/2 years and learned a LOT!
Consulting companies want you to have Microsoft experience, but if you have job skills relevant to the position you're applying for, you will likely be considered for the role.
Is it easy to get a full-time role once you become a contractor?
Nope! It's not easy to bounce from a vendor role to a full-time employee (FTE) position in my experience. These transitions are largely based on relationships and headcount availability.
Do you get paid as much as a full-time employee?
It depends on the role, but for the most part, no. Also, as a vendor, your hourly rate is determined by the budget of the Microsoft group that’s filling the role. You may have a little room to negotiate, but for the most part, it’s take it or leave it.
Do you still get benefits and a 401K?
It depends on your employment contract and your consulting company. Most agencies offer competitive benefits because they’re competing against each other to land YOU as an employee.
What is the 18-6 rule?
Contractors at Microsoft are permitted to remain on the corporate network for 18 months and are then required to take a six-month break. Vendors can continue working in their position off the Microsoft network, but it's difficult to access internal websites and resources.
To learn more about the history behind the 6-month break, here's some research that gives historical context.
- Glassdoor Review 2019
- OnMSFT 2016
- Business Insider 2015
- Geekwire 2015
- Reuters 2004
- New York Times 2000
Why wouldn't I want to become a MSFT vendor?
Because you have an MBA. Please proceed straight to a fulltime position.
Alyssa, why the heck aren't YOU a full-time employee?
As a Marketing Communications professional, my role is typically one of supporting different lines of business. I don't own any line of business, so my role is not transferable to a full-time position. Also, I usually end up in interesting roles with fun teams and good managers. Interviewing is not my strong suit, so I'd rather focus on my 40-hour/ week job, transition to different roles to keep things fresh and leave time to support my non-Microsoft consulting clients. To me, this is a work/ work/ life balance that keeps me energized and engaged.
Super top secret intel: No one will tell you this, but some (not all) Microsoft hiring managers don't think vendors can transition to FTE roles. This likely means that if I want to become a full-time employee, I’ll have to leave Microsoft. (This is where the Stockholm Syndrome comes in because I love Microsoft.)
Benefits to remaining a vendor include having the freedom to focus on my deliverables and maintain a strict 40-hour work week.
Alyssa, based on your resume, you had some roles that ended abruptly at Microsoft. Will my 18-month contract be ended prematurely too?
While job insecurity is frustrating and difficult, like any job, there will be reasons you leave that have nothing to do with your performance. A few of my roles ended unexpectedly because:
- There was a lot of turmoil on the team and my manager as well as their newly hired, high-level manager left the org. so my statement of work (SOW) was ended accordingly.
- In another instance, my entire team of 7 people was laid off in favor of hiring a team from another country. I had over a month of paid time to find a new role.
- When COVID-19 hit, my employer kept me on the team as long as possible. Even though Microsoft ended all non-essential (COVID-related) contracts, my agency leveraged me to manage their marketing. I created a social media strategy for them, useable for the next 6 months. In the meantime, I was also able to look for another job.
Pro tip! Because everything is so fluid at Microsoft, you'll always need to go with the flow, keep your head down and focus on your work. In one role, I worked in a very tumultuous group. Goals and programs changed daily, but by focusing on my deliverables and communicating effectively with my manager and team, I remained in role for 3 1/2 years and learned a LOT!
Benefits of working as a Microsoft consultant:
- You’re an hourly employee, limited to 40 hours a week. Unless you have written confirmation, you will not be reimbursed for work done outside your eight hours per day. While many Microsoft employees work upwards of 10 hours a day, you're able to maintain a better work/life balance.
- Microsoft employees spend a lot of time attending meetings that are not directly related to their job or deliverables. Almost every meeting you attend should have a direct impact on the work you're doing.
- Full time employees participate in personnel reviews that can be draining and take a lot of time. Contractors don’t have to do this.
- Depending on your role, you may not be required to go into the office at all. This cuts down your commute and gives you a better work/life balance.
- Generally, as a contractor, you can choose which device you work on. While it can be an unwelcome financial surprise to provide your own laptop for work, you have the option of choosing whichever brand you’re accustomed to. Your vendor agency may reimburse you for this purchase.
- As an employee of your agency, you retain many benefits of a Microsoft full-time employee. For example, at Prime 8 Consulting, I had a 401K, paid time off, as well as opportunities to attended trainings and social events. However, when my contract ended and I put my notice in after getting a non-Prime 8 role, they did NOT pay out the two weeks' vacation time I had accrued. Be aware of the fine print and know the loopholes your employer might take. Learn from my naivety. ("That's the policy." Change your policy!)
- If your consulting firm, has a good internal culture, you'll support each other regarding special requests or best practices. For example, in several roles at Microsoft, I've needed a graphic designer to uplevel my presentations.
- At the end of each contract, your consulting firm should help you find your next role. You also have the flexibility of taking time off between roles. For example, Microsoft fiscal year ends on the last day of June. You could take July and August off and start a new role in September.
- Some Microsoft consulting companies have a physical office location in the Seattle area, or on the Eastside near Microsoft Corporate HQ. In 2021, some upgraded their offices to comply with social distancing and flexible workspaces. By having an office, remote consultants have a landing pad to finish up extra work or hold internal meetings.
- While a typical Microsoft fulltime employee interview can last weeks and require at least five hourlong interviews (ew), consulting interviews take around 30-minutes and there are only one or two. Interviews are informal and give you an opportunity to share what makes you right for the role.
- The primary benefit of working as a Microsoft contractor is that you really get to focus on the job you were hired for. Focusing on deliverables, will get you the experience you need to jump to your next role and if you're motivated by interesting and diverse tasks like me, there's always something new to learn.
- As a contractor for Microsoft, you can accept roles outside of your typical job title. For example, a Project Manager could also work as a Communications Manager, Business manager or even Channel Marketing Manager.
Cons of Working as a Microsoft consultant
- If you were hired as a remote employee, you are not allowed to work on-site at Microsoft unless you are invited by your FTE manager. Especially after COVID, there are no open workspaces, and the topic of workspace is a very touchy subject with full-time employees. For example, if you need to focus in an office away from your home, you will have to find a cafe or library. You can’t sit in a Microsoft lobby.
- Microsoft full-time employees get excellent benefits, including MSFT stock options. Vendors do not.
- Transitioning from the contractor to FTE role at Microsoft is super rare, but not impossible. Sometimes it's best to leave Microsoft as a contractor, work elsewhere for a while and apply to Microsoft for a full-time position.
- As a consultant, the information that you are working with to complete your job daily is provided only by your manager and through conversations you may have with other employees. Because you do not attend internal team meetings, you may not always have the context you need to do your job. This is a speedbump that can be easily managed with good communication.
Well, that’s a lot of information, but there’s more...
Even though it’s dated 2017, I found this LinkedIn article to be pretty accurate. There are pros and cons regarding working as a contractor at Microsoft.
Next Steps
Do your research!
Most agencies support a specific area of business. Those listed on the right are primarily focused on marketing and communications. Not the right fit? Use search terms in your favorite search engine to find other job niches. Connect with Agency recruiters on LinkedIn Use LinkedIn to find agency recruiters and always connect with a message. "Hi (recruiter's name)! I'm interested in opportunities at (agency name) and I saw you're looking for a (job title you applied for). I'd like to connect!" Don't give up.
You got this. Good luck! |
Agencies that contract with Microsoft
http://www.thechinookgroup.com/ https://agconsultingpartners.com/ https://aimconsulting.com/ https://aquent.com/ https://esearchconsulting.com/ https://headlinersgroup.com/ https://jeffreym.com/ https://lions-tigers.com/ https://nayamode.com/ https://simplicityci.com/ https://www.adeccogroup.com/ https://www.appleone.com/ https://www.assemblyglobal.com/ https://www.avantgarde-experts.de/de/ https://www.bridgepartnersllc.com/ https://www.cadence3.com/ https://www.delightfulcommunications.com/ https://www.findinsight.com/ https://www.groupefed.fr/en https://www.mbopartners.com/ https://www.michaelpage.com https://www.prowesscorp.com/ https://www.redcloudconsulting.com/ https://www.revelconsulting.com/ https://www.sigmarrecruitment.com/ https://www.smxtech.com/ https://www.swiftgroupmarketing.com/ https://www.synaxiscorp.com/ https://www.thespurgroup.com/ https://www.wipro.com/ https://www.wpp.com/ https://www.zaubacorp.com |