If youre not doing a great job at your current level youre not even going to be considered for the next level. I've been at the same level for 3.5 years (since I joined MSFT), and while I spent three of those in a group where almost noone at all got promoted (a group which has since essentially dissolved), I'm concerned that my level stagnation reflects poorly on me, even though I've been the major contributor on products that have earned 10x my total compensation package for MSFT. . I started at 59 and just got promoted to 63 a couple months ago. I heard that promotion budgets are significantly reduced at below 65 level. If you are within striking distance of level 63 in the next few years, then consider yourself VERY fortunate. Director vs. Vice President: What's the Difference? | Indeed.com You have to enjoy it, or else it'll come across as insincere, and you'll do a half assed job. I made it to L63 in a year (I was probably under leveled when I arrived). Aspects of an L63 Contributor: some random aspects that come to my mind beyond our CSPs: When I write all of this, I think back to an older piece by Joel Spolsky talking about Rosh Gadol contributors. Thats a very helpful answer. For example, when I joined MS in 1990 there were 6 devs working on the first version of Word for Windows. I give you the example from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/awaits "A busy day awaits" as evidence.So one legitimate missing punctuation mark, one matter of verbal interpretation, one popular idiom, and one completely correct phrase. I am not saying the manager is trying to sabotage, but when push comes to shove will you get the impactful project. What advice do you have to pass on? This topic didn't elicit nearly as many comments as I would have expected. I can vouch for the efficacy of this mantra.MS definitely does a good enough job on career progression and offering diverse options. The downside to this view within the Microsoft culture is that you are always expected to keep climbing the ladder even if you are content with your current job and a solid performer in it. Microsoft is a Technology Giant and has been the biggest Technology Company in recent years. That's not going to change in six months (which I learned). You go along with a good boss/employee relationship then all of a sudden, it's like you killed his first born. Me? That's why Microsoft is pissing away the monopoly that you inherited from IBM. L65 here, worked up from L59 (actually, 10 in the old system).The key is always to keep your eye on the goal. Raymond V. Gilmartin 3,4 Former Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, Merck & Co., Inc. W. Reed Hastings 3 These posts are provided "as-is" with no warranties and confer no rights. Cathriona Hallahan - Independent Non-Executive Member - LinkedIn Then they start pinging the manager on why and putting pressure on them to do something, move them up or out. I'd like to see a transition plan from you in 2 days". Don't make promises to follow up on things and then let them drop. Levels 57 and 58 are reserved for non-permanent employees and Levels 59 and 60 are reserved for New Graduates. At the beginning of each FY, I always asked, "I want to get Exceeded this year. SAP, Go to company page This can play a bigger role even than how many times you broke the build, caused a bug, etc. Help make it more accurate by adding yours. You don't deliver products on your own -- you're usually building one system, one set of components that together make one successful (or unsuccessful) product.You can always, always find ways that make yourself, your manager, and your immediate team much more successful. Make them successful at their job. You will make your management look good and the levels will come. How do you ensure there is no conflict of interest. From my perspective (L67) here's what you need to nail:1. Will some new person to the team who shows high growth potential push you aside even though you've been doing really solid work for years?Sometimes I wish it worked like an experience bar in a video game where you can clearly see when you will "ding". This helps us sort answers on the page. I moved around 3 teams before I found one where I really enjoyed the technology and the people, and here I've flourished.So forget all the whining about politics and crap. We have covered both technical and management track at Microsoft. If you don't have a manager like that or the manager cannot/will not set clear commits/accountabilities - when the freeze lifts, time for you to look at new areas where you can bring something to the table. Its nice to see constructive advice and stories from everyone.I'm in the 61 bucket and currently struggling with my team for many months. Get a free, personalized salary estimate based on today's job market. Your manager has to know that either you get promoted sometime soon or you will go and get promoted somewhere else. And I'm hiring, yes, in this economy. I spend a lot of my time these days working with partner teams to help them solve their own problems or create wins for their teams even if it only peripherally touches my area. So dont try to be joker just to get attention.Now of course, this is all just the theory. If you're off-path, you can turn it around. I know devs who got there without doing anything substantial but their manager was nice and there was no competition.In short, Level 63 to me is not important and I really dont respect 63s unless they I've interacted with them.Level 65+ is another story and are devs who have the stuff almost always.- Someone at Level 62. Second, the perspective of a different team helps you generalize about best practices and what works and doesn't work. Levels are different outside the US. This is the multiplier effect, or scope of influence that is often mentioned. That is, an S-shaped curve that is relatively flat at the bottom (slow start), then becomes very steep (steep acceleration), then becomes relatively flat again (plateau). This is a good list. The details in front of you are just details. This slighlty contradicts some of the other posts. Working with high EQ allows you to collaborate better. But that's kind of the point -- simplify your approach. "This is the lament of every person in every big company everywhere it's usually a combination of truth (most of us are capable of more than the roles we're currently filling) and hubris (if I had a nickel for ever junior person who over-estimated what they were capable of I'd be retired). I'm currently level 66 and started at level 59 (equivalent in old levels) 12 years ago. And a knife-fight for L65 (some other day). I have to agree with a few that have posted already. I've changed jobs but came back to the group that's been the most supportive. The estimated total pay for a Senior Director at Microsoft is $500,742 per year. Unless you plan to stay in the same org the rest of the time at MS. If you're not an Absolutely! I think it's safe to say that I "own" the group of people under L63 in my group, but I usually take that as an opportunity for mentorship as opposed to an opportunity to poach someone else's cool project. They are trying to get attention from upper levels more harder then you. Shock and awe awaits. I've been struggling with the elusive 59 -> 60 move for quite some time. If youre not displaying them at the current level why would your manager expect that youll suddenly start to display them at the next level?2. How do you get the right job/work that will make the impact. He identified the common denominators in becoming an expert in practically any field. In my org the cut is 70% on promos. I breezed to L63 and shortly after to L64 within a year. Can any reader in Corp Sales Excellence(SMS&P) privide guidance on how to grow from 63 to 64 in that group. MS is a carrot and stick culture with some heavy emphasis on stick. I have also always looked for those problems (opportunities). EQ/IQ and Collaboration. Unless you know for sure that your boss's answer is an immediate "Absolutely!" Microsoft - Director, Level 65 at Microsoft | Glassdoor weeks to find another position within the company, otherwise they are laid off.Given 6 weeks to find a position now is a suicide (since most groups can't hire due to the freeze). "Sad but true. If you think you will follow the management career path then get in such role as early as possible. Learning Curves and Disillusioned Learners: psychologists have known for years that skill acquisition tends to follow a typical learning curve. But good leadership at the top can make visibility a positive thing for the person getting it and for the org who sees the person getting it. Achieving Senior Level 63 at Microsoft - Blogger Mini, all those aspects you list are also present at L62, L65, etc. The Job titles for this position are: Following is the complete list of Job levels at Microsoft: The highest job title in technical track in Microsoft is "Technical Fellow". To know the real title you have to use headtrax and look for the Standard Title of the position. I've been hearing some stealth layoffs around the SQL and BOSG groups, around 70+ people were given 6(?) Avoid long-winded multi-point e-mails, boil down your points as succinctly and efficiently as possible. work on your visibility. But on balance mgrs at MS get things right a lot more often than they get them wrong or we wouldnt be one of the most highly capitalized companies in the history of biz. If you go looking for those problems though, you better be prepared to deliver. There's a need to ooze authority in a way that is comforting to the person above you responsible for your career. Find out if you have a positive trajectory in the stack ranking. I am currently going to school which should help the moves to a better position. If you job simply doesn't scale to that next level - and many don't / can't - then you need to build rapport with your manager to have a focused career discussion about what roles are around to get you there and how you could land in one.2. I sympathize with folks who feel they have been shafted however to quote a cliched saying: the common factor between you and all your problems is you. Title doesn't matter, that's a job description. Microsoft hiring Senior Director for Land Development EMEA in Dublin It would be the pinnacle of dumbness. Seriously - if you wave a competitor's offer in my face what have you told me? This is certainly the course that I took. This means there are 24 distinct job levels at Microsoft. MSFT | Microsoft Corp. Company Profile & Executives - WSJ I've been hearing some stealth layoffs around the SQL and BOSG groups, around 70+ people were given 6(?) HC-freeze is already in motion, as is serioius savings in all FSC/COS - only thing still not explored is layoffs. There is an over lap in all levels when you move across companies with m:n map. Do a search for people in those groups in NYC area and check their status to see who is hiring. And you know something? I would love to be above 60much less 63. Browse all Microsoft salaries . The estimated additional pay is $257,304 per year.