5 Years at Microsoft

On Jan 16th 2011 I celebrated 5 years at Microsoft. Even today can’t believe it has been 5 years. Still remember my interview process, “The Call”, followed by my move to Seattle and that drive from airport to corporate housing in rainy weather (surprise, surprise) using Google Maps, yes I admit it. Also remember first day of new employee orientation and first day with my search team. 5 years later, after moving from Seattle to New York to Dallas it still feels like 5 years just flew by and still feel new with rapid changes in technology and Microsoft’s ability to still stay relevant in the era of iEverything.

In this 5 years, i have experience first hand some historic launches, news, and lessons learned.  Have seen Microsoft purchasing a big agency for tons of money, launching Vista, Windows 7, office 2010, reading an email from Ballmer about an attempt to purhase Yahoo, launch of Windows Phone 7, Kinect, first ever companywide layoffs, new name of Windows Live Search to Bing, transitioning Search service to Yahoo, can’t forget the launch of Kin, Bill Gates stepping down to do more meaningful things and how can I forget about a time Ballmer gave me high five at MGX. What a journey it has been, with all the ups and downs. Worst day without a doubt was layoffs day, when people I knew were being called into Manager’s office and see them leaving the company right after the meeting, just a horrible day. Hopefully don’t have to go through that again.  There were lot of best days/proud Microsoftie days.  One of them was, being inside NASDAQ for closing bell ceremony when Windows 7 was launched, another one was playing with Kinect before anyone could, what an amazing piece of technology that is and of course news of Bing gaining marketshare one point at a time 🙂

5 Years came and gone.  Without a doubt company has spoilled me.   If i were to find a new job where i am required to dress up everyday not sure if i would last that long.  Have been blessed to work with some of the smartest people in the industry and flexible managment.  Despite the size of the company, it is amazing to see people’s passion, honesty and professionalism.  Of course there some negatives as well probably because of the size of the company.  Stock price for one hasn’t moved much 🙂

Overall, it has been great 5 years with tons of unforgettable experiences.  I still feel like i just joined the company.  Let’s see what’s next…

Post was partially written on WordPress for Windows Phone 7

Still Here…

Hellooooo,

It has been more than 2 years and i’m still here at Microsoft.  Today, I got a ping back from someone who got hired as a media specialist and made me realize that people still read my blog and remember it even after a year.  So i have been here little over 2 years, still doing search and enjoying it (most of the times :)).  I have been getting involved in the projects, learning new things, search has become little more complex than it was 2 years ago.  We have lot more coooler tools now like Excel Add-In.  Here is what has changed the most in the past 2 years.  At a professional level, I have moved to New York office 🙂  Moved to northeast just about 6 months ago, completely different from Seattle.  I actually miss seattle (shocking i know).  I miss the greenery and the mountains.  Anyways, so i am still here after 2 years at Microsoft.  I still think it is great company to work for, lot of things to learn – from people and from the organization itself and how it treats it’s employees.  Don’t want to say anything about Microsoft-Yahoo deal just yet, i have my opinions and speculations just like everyone else.  Oh and also, i might actually go to Dallas next week to do some recruiting, how exciting is that.  Let me know if you are interested, we are hiring 🙂

Also, over time some people have reached out to me after reading the blog.  I’m glad it has helped people, please let me know how else i can help you.

Thanks.

Tejas

aQuantive for $6 Billion – that’s a Billion with a B

(Read the disclaimer)

WOW.  $6 Billion to acquire an ad agency is lot of dough.  Is this to remain in the game or is it desperation move, or “if you can do anything I can do better”?  If Microsoft had paid $4 bil for DoubleClick and beat Google in that negotiation process, that would have been so much better than to pay $6 billion for aQuantive.  Overall i think its a good purchase, may be little over-priced in my opinion, but its an imp acquisition.  Its the biggest acquisition in company’s history and feels great to be a part of it when this is all happening. 

Feeling in my group was of excitement.  Finally, we won a negotiation deal 🙂  And a big one too.  We work with this agency pretty frequently and like CEO of aQuantive said, we have exchanged employees over the years.  Even my boss’s boss’s boss is from Ave. A/Razorfish.  Now he was hoping if he held on to those stocks, he’d be millionaire along with other employees of aQuantive.  Craziness, $6 billion is lot of money, was the company worth this much?  will this investment pay off over time?  only time will tell.  But its good to be part of the company that can afford to spend $6 billion to purchase another company, very exciting stuff.  I certainly hope in long run, MSFT buys Yahoo, now that’d be something awesome.  Definitely would boost our market share and put us in number 2 position, just a little closer to big G.  I’m loving the competition and how everyone is trying to be different and pumping out products left and right.  Google’s latest “Universal Search” is not actually a new product but an attempt to popularize some of the products that are not used so much.  Can’t recall anything cool that G released recently.  Looking forward to G’s version of PowerPoint, let’s see how it compares to Office 2007 (which I’m loving it…).  Whatever G is working on right now i’m sure its pretty cool, i love how easy to use and fast their products and services are, an industry should take a note of that and learn lot from them.  My favorite G product is GMail.  Search is good, but Windows Live search is almost same as G.  Except the market share part of course 🙂  On the other hand, Microsoft is on roll releasing some cool stuff:  Vista, Office 2007, Silverlight, getting “Windows Live Mail” out of Beta and changing the name to “Windows Live Hotmail”, PopFly (i’m still waiting for my invitation), and finally “Microsoft SharedView Beta” – which i think is really cool, makes sharing application etc, so much easier. 

Well it’s really exciting to be part of this industry at this time.  What’s even better is, it is pleasure to be part of company that is serious about winning and trying it’s best to improve market share and go from may be number 3 player to number 2 and eventually number 1.

P.S. Using “Windows Live Writer” right now and it has this really cool feature which allows you to select date and time of when you want the post to be published.  I think this functionality should be added to email applications, where you write an email and you choose when you want that email to be sent – now that’s a cool feature request.

Customer Service and New MSN Results

I got an email from Co-worker couple of days back saying that Southwest is offering $79 one way from Seattle to Dallas.  To confirm that deal, i called up Southwest’s 1800 number and to  my surprise after one ring a LIVE PERSON picked up the phone.  Now how often do you get to hear a live person when you call a 1800 number?  I was really impressed with it and with Southwest offering $79 deal from Seattle to Dallas.  Now that’s call customer service.  It would be great if a live person actually picks up the phone every single time you call a customer service number for any company.  Way to go Southwest.

According to posts on Webmasterworld, MSN has updated results on pretty recently.  I am pretty happy with what i see in the SERP, of course its no perfect yet, but i think it is closing in gap with relevancy.  That reminds me, have you checked out MsDewey.com?  It is such a brilliant concept.  However, is it useful for long term?  Meaning, you go there first time, you listen to that beautiful woman and it is entertaining.  Can you hear her talk on daily basis or will there be an option to just get the results directly without listening to what she has to say?  It is a nice concept though.

Besides that, work has been pretty crazy lately.  Work never seems to end and my work life balance doesn’t exist, so i have to find that balance, that is if i have time to find that 🙂  Still enjoying my work, lot of competition, lot of smart people, lot of things are constantly changing which makes it more fun.  One thing i discovered while working here is that, you gotta love change or at least better learn quickly to deal with it.  Things are not going to stay constant for long which is good and bad thing, depending whose perspective you want.

Tejas

It has been a while… AdCenter at 70%

It has been a while since i have written on my blog.  I just have been busy with work.  They were right, "enjoy the free time you have now b/c later on you won't have any time", which is so true.  Last week i was at work till 6:30pm, which is not actually that late but spending more than 10 hours a day in front of computer is lot.  But i enjoyed it, i am not complaining that i had to work till 6:30pm.  In fact, today if i had stayed past 7 i would have gotten free dinner from Thai Ginger.  But unfortunately, i finished up most of my work during the day.

Today i was introduced to a new SMA and after i was introduced to him, he said, "You are very popular man on the internet".  I was like oh crap, he ALSO read my blog.  I don't know if i mentioned this in my earlier blogs or not, but my "Microsoft Interview" blog has been read by lots of people including my boss's boss's boss and lot of managers.  Mainly because it was about the interview process at Microsoft.  So, i guess its a good thing that people have read my blog about the interview process at Microsoft.  I hope it gives them (managers' and potential hires) the insight into the process.  So that being said, i guess it is an interesting/weird feeling to be a "famous man on the internet".

Alright AdCenter has increased its traffic to 70% and the word in the streets is that it will go to 100% pretty soon.  I would really like to see how the quality of traffic is when it goes to 100%.  My guess is, it will decrease a little b/c number of advertisers will increase thus increasing competition thus increasing CPC and lowering CTR, got it?  Great… 🙂  I got no other updates about AdCenter.  Things are very busy at work, we are preparing for the flood gates to open, bring it on baby 🙂

Oh this amazing thing happened earlier this week actually.  There was a discussion going on at WebmasterWorld about IE 7 and public bug database.  And in the code of one of the pages there was a comment by a frustrating programmer:

* html .StupidIEMarginHack {
margin-right: 1px;
When i saw this on the forum i thought it makes Microsoft look bad and i realized that heyyyy i work at Microsoft, so let me see if i can get in touch with someone about this.  So i did.  I found DL about IE and i posted this on there and before end of the day, i got a message saying this has been fixed.  And best thing about this was that the programmer who did this out of frustration of coding admitted that he/she did this, it was honest mistake, i think that was really really awesome.  So i think they are going to update this next monday, so it won't be there next monday.  I think it was sooo awesome that i was actually able to get in touch with someone who was in charge of this and brought their attention to the problem, i love it.  It just made my day.

So that was the highlight of my day, may be a week.  Oh i get so bored on weekends, so i have subscribed to NetFlix.  So basically i have found a better, more constructive way to waste my time and money.  Plus i am so behind in movies.  I just finished watching Kill Bill 1 and 2.  If you got any suggestions about good movies, feel free to let me know.  I don't think people actually read this blog except the post about Microsoft Interview.  Oh welll… 🙂

Tejas

LIVE.COM – Its aLIVE

CHECK OUT LIVE.COM

Amazing functionality has been added to it.  I saw a demo of it earlier today and its amazing.  You gotta check out the image search, i saw the demo of it at the end of jan or beginning of Feb and it rocked my world, very impressive.  I am testing it out right now and of course it has some bugs, thus it is BETA.

Wait till you see Beta Mail 🙂  Mobile is good too, point your mobile browser to mobile.msn.com.

I wish i could write in detail about all the new features and gadgets on Live.com but i need to hit the bed.  Try it out for yourself.  Oh ya, don’t forget to click on the arrows on the right side of the stock ticker 🙂

Oh, i forgot to mention Project Oragami.  I think this project/product has received lot of press and i am really impressed with how MS chose to introduce this product.  This is a classic example of pull strategy kids.  It will create a demand in the market and it also creates some kind of excitement/buzz in the industry of what this product will be.  Check out:  channel9.msdn.com on Thursday to learn more.

Lot of exciting things to come from Microsoft in the future.  Now, i understand why Google has been successfull in coming up with new products fairly quickly, b/c the way i understand it, product development cycle of the software/product on the internet is so much shorter than the software/product that you would ship.

And so, it has begun 🙂

Tejas

Meeting

Last week, i had pleasure of meeting Yusuf Mehndi, VP of MSN.  In fact, i met him 3 times in time frame of one week.  Two times i heard him speak and he is a great speaker, he knows what he is talking about, and most importantly he is passionate about his job.  Third time i had great opportunity to meet with him face to face.  I even shook his hand and asked him couple of questions.  It was an amazing experience, especially for someone who has just joined this organization (me).  One thing that did surprise me about Yusuf, was that he is young dude.  I and others who saw him for the first time, expected him to be older.  Well there you go, i still have to meet BillG and Steve Ballmer 🙂

Superbowl is tomorrow (today), i think Seattle has good chance of winning it.  If i were to pick, i’d pick hmmmm, its tough, Seattle.  Not because i just moved here, but because i think they have good chance of taking it all.  Steelers also have very good defense, so should be a good game.  (this is just my opinion, don’t hold me to it.)

Tejas

First days at Microsoft

Sorry for the late post, but i don’t have internet connection at temp housing.  So here it goes… 

First day at Microsoft:First day and half were orientation, today was the first of three days of NERD (New Employee Rapid Development) program

Let’s start with Orientation:  Orientation was on Monday and I could not get good sleep at night.  I kept waking up every hour and checking the time, making sure I did not oversleep.

Orientation started at 8:30, of course I got there early.  Took care of the paperwork and then presentations started.  And let me tell you, those were good presentations.  Usually day long presentations will make you sleepy, but there was lot of information to be learned and lot of new people to meet.  It was amazing how people from all walks for life are gathered at one place, some people good at some things some at others.  Also, met a girl who graduated from Harvard and my manager has MBA from Vanderbilt, talk about working with bright people.

Second day, got the badges and holding that badge that said, Tejas Shah Employee, Microsoft.  That was an amazing feeling, it is great to be part of a wonderful organization.  An organization that has changed the world in the past and continues to do that on almost daily basis.  Imagine, what would happen if there was no Office, you would have to deal with crappy word prefect everyday.  But being part of Microsoft is an amazing feeling.  From presentations, i was surprised by the level of transparency at the organization.  Microsoft knows where they stand and they are not their position in the marketplace.  Its great to be a part of an organization that knows where they want to go and everyone is on board to achieve that goal, its just matter of time.  But I was just amazed by the level of transparency.

We were allowed to go meet our teams during lunch time.  So I went to RTC (Redmond Town Center) to meet my manager and my team.  And first thing we did was, we went to nearby restaurant for lunch.  I met my mentor, my manager and my fellow team members.  We had great conversation at lunch and after we came back from lunch my mentor showed me around the office and assisted me in setting up my computer.  Here’s an amazing thing:  I logged onto my computer for the first time and I already had 25 emails J  At 4:30pm, went to CSO Mix and Mingle and again I was shocked by openness and niceness (is that a word?) of the people.

The next day (today), NERD started.  Again, full day of presentations and again, none of them were boring, believe it or not.  It was impressive how director and top level managers of the department takes time out of their busy schedules to come speak to new employees and gives an overview of the organization and how we, the new employees, are going to play an important role in the success of the organization.  While checking email during the break, received an email from the Steve Ballmer, inviting all the employees for town hall meeting on Friday with BillG.  Now, first thing:  received an email from Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, how insane is that?  Second, I sooo would have likeed to attend that town hall meeting, but I will at the NERD training, else I would definitely attend that meeting.  I have seen Steve Ballmer on Channel9, he is an amazing guy.  In fact, all the top level managers that came for presentation today, brought some kind of energy with them.  They lightened up the room when they entered and were more than happy to answer any and all of our questions.

Well that was day one of NERD and day three at Microsoft.  Lot more to come, in fact, the real work is yet to come.  Oh finally, my car has arrived from Dallas, so I will get that on Friday, if things go according to the plan.

I am glad people actually read my blog and I hope it gives them the answer they are looking for.  Of course I am not going to tell you, what kind of questions they are going to ask you at the interview or other information.  For interview tips, go to the Microsoft recruiter links on the right side.

Tejas Shah

First 9 days at Microsoft

It has been 9 days since i have started working at Microsoft and excitement is still there, amazingly. Everyone in the office are nice and helpful. I have been to couple of cafeterias and food is nice. I was really surprised to see Indian food in the cafeteria. They have taken into consideration indian programmers at MS. It is really amazing how many things/details these people have paid attention to.

Today i had pleasure of listening VP of MSN, Yusuf Mehdi in the morning. I expected him to an old guy but he is young intelligent guy. Very good public speaker, explained various plans very well. I wanted to take a picture of him but i wasn’t sure if it would have been appropriate thing to do. All the top level managers i have come in contact with at Microsoft has some sort of energy and enthusiasm. And they all believe in same goal of becoming number one and keeping customers happy. Microsoft is becoming more of customer focused organization, rather than product focused, at least trying to, and i think doing damn good job of it. Last week i had an opportunity to see BillB and Steve Ballmer speak, but unfortunately, i had to miss it because i had to be at the training. May be next time. But it is really amazing feeling to be working at Microsoft and realizing that product that is being designed at MS will be used by lots and lots of people. Exciting things are yet to come.
I have written up a post of my first couple of days at Microsoft, but i did not post it because i wanted to make sure with my manager about blogging. Of course, i am not going to mention any upcoming products/launches/features 🙂

Anyways, Dallas and Seattle are playing right now, goooo Dallas. Going to stay loyal to Dallas. Oh also, Seattle is going to Superbowl, first time in its franchise history. I would like to believe that i brought some good luck with me 🙂 I think Seattle has really good chance of winning it all. However, i think game will be won by the team that does not turn over the ball.
Tejas

Tomorrow: First Day

Tomorrow is my first day at Microsoft. Wow, soo weird. Tomorrow whole day and half day on Tuesday is New Employee Orientation. Wow, it’s wicked. This is what I have heard about Microsoft, let’s see how much of it is true: They make you work hard (I don’t mind that), people are nice, there are lots and lots of meetings to go to, lot of bureaucracy, good benefits. I think that’s it. So let’s see, how much of it is true and how much of it is fiction. Also, Microsoft was voted as one of the best companies to work for, how nice 🙂

It finally stopped raining in Seattle, oh my goodness, 27 straight days of measurable rain. But I think it is much better than snow. Since it is not raining outside, I could see the snow at the top of the mountains, it is spectacular. Since I have been here I have seen the Sun only two times for a brief period (10 seconds to be precise). Oh well, I’ll get used to it. But this place is beautiful, I must admit.

In Sports (I sound like a news anchor), two amazing games. How did NE lost to Denver? Also Steelers/Colts game was insane, wow. That was one hell of a game. If that guy only had gotten away from Ben (QB), it would be solo different. I was cheering for Colts because I think Payton is an amazing QB. How did Vanderjet missed the field goal, he was supposed to be THE best field goal kicker in NFL, ever. What happened? He didn’t even miss it by few inches, he missed it by a mile, how do they go cold in such a situation, don’t they get paid millions to do just that (kick in such a close games)?
But since superbowl is getting closer, I would predict, either Seattle of Steelers to win it ALL. That’s my prediction, don’t hold me to it.

I should have written lot more about me starting tomorrow at Microsoft, but I am weird like that. It won’t hit me till I am there tomorrow.

Tejas