Sales Specialist Review
at Microsoft
Placement (10 Months+)
Sales, Computer Science, Business Management
Reading
Review Submitted: October 2024
Overall Rating
4.8 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
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Overview of Role
4.8/5
-
Skills Development
5/5
-
Support and Guidance
5/5
-
Company Culture
4.5/5
-
Overall Experience
5/5
-
Future Career Prospects
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.
It was different everyday which is what I liked.
Sometimes it was internal team meetings on which customers are our targets for the quarter, other times I was out with a customer or at a large tech event!
I also spent a lot of time shadowing and learning in the early months as I had no background in tech.
It is also hybrid working so sometimes I would be in the office and other times you could work at home.
Sometimes it was internal team meetings on which customers are our targets for the quarter, other times I was out with a customer or at a large tech event!
I also spent a lot of time shadowing and learning in the early months as I had no background in tech.
It is also hybrid working so sometimes I would be in the office and other times you could work at home.
Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?
Yes.
To begin with there is a huge focus on learning but after a few months I was running events, round tables and hosting customers with my team. After half a year I asked for more responsibility and exposure so was given a few of the enterprise customer accounts! I therefore owned that relationship with the security team from the retailers company and it was the goal to sell them more of the cyber tech.
To begin with there is a huge focus on learning but after a few months I was running events, round tables and hosting customers with my team. After half a year I asked for more responsibility and exposure so was given a few of the enterprise customer accounts! I therefore owned that relationship with the security team from the retailers company and it was the goal to sell them more of the cyber tech.
Please rate how meaningful the work you were doing was
4/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills, or developed your existing skills?
Yes!
I knew nothing about tech and now I know a lot about cyber security and AI.
I am way more confident (can easily now speak in lectures and seminars).
I always felt I was organised but now I can manage my time with so much more ease.
I knew nothing about tech and now I know a lot about cyber security and AI.
I am way more confident (can easily now speak in lectures and seminars).
I always felt I was organised but now I can manage my time with so much more ease.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
4/5
How would you rate your development of industry-specific skills during the experience?
5/5
How would you rate your development of personal / soft skills during the experience?
5/5
Please rate how these skills have helped you in your career development
5/5
Support and Guidance
How much support and guidance did you receive during your placement / internship?
I felt like the onboarding was good but the training around how to be a good 'seller' was less so. We didn't have any intern practice sessions/ role play, but my team provided me with some chances to practice presenting to a customer before the real thing!
We all had a manager, mentor and buddy assigned to us as well when we joined. The buddy was only a few years older so could be there for any of the 'silly questions'. A mentor was there to help with the big picture and the manager predominantly gave you work but also support on your career path.
We all had a manager, mentor and buddy assigned to us as well when we joined. The buddy was only a few years older so could be there for any of the 'silly questions'. A mentor was there to help with the big picture and the manager predominantly gave you work but also support on your career path.
How would you rate the support and guidance from your line manager?
5/5
How would you rate the support and guidance from the wider team?
5/5
Company Culture
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
Amazing. Microsoft has recently won the best company in the world to be an employee in and I can 100% see why. The culture is amazing. It is always okay not to know the answer, everyone I met was nice and wanted to help you. The 'Growth Mindset' culture is fab too as it encourages everyone to keep learning, so we had learning Friday afternoons to expand our knowledge.
Hybrid working is a big thing too as they want you to work where you will be the most productive.
I personally loved the office as it was vibrant and buzzing!
Hybrid working is a big thing too as they want you to work where you will be the most productive.
I personally loved the office as it was vibrant and buzzing!
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the social opportunities?
5/5
How would you rate the diversity initiatives?
5/5
How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
5/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?
I really enjoyed it. It took a while to settle in, but it is the biggest company in the world so that should be expected.
Once I found my feet there are so many chances to grow as an individual and so many career paths! I defiantly recommend.
Once I found my feet there are so many chances to grow as an individual and so many career paths! I defiantly recommend.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on your placement / internship
5/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
4/5
Future Career Prospects
Please rate the future employment prospects at Microsoft
5/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Microsoft to a friend?
Yes
What advice would you give to others applying to Microsoft
1. Know the culture and make sure you align to it! Some people clearly joined but don't fit the culture so won't be coming back as a graduate.
2. Don't be a know it all- no one likes that. Be a 'learn-it-all'!
3. Be yourself, they will be able to see through you
4. If you don't know tech (I didn't) that's fine! Tell them and they can teach you.
5. Do your research.
2. Don't be a know it all- no one likes that. Be a 'learn-it-all'!
3. Be yourself, they will be able to see through you
4. If you don't know tech (I didn't) that's fine! Tell them and they can teach you.
5. Do your research.
