Amazon or Microsoft: Seattle MBAs Debate Better Workplace

When it comes to getting a job at a tech company, Seattle MBAs can have a difficult choice ahead of them: Amazon or Microsoft? These two heavyweights are the best of the best in the tech industry and draw in hundreds of MBAs each year. But GeekWire recently asked the question that’s on everyone’s mind: “Which is the better place to work?”

To get their answer, GeekWire turned to a fascinating thread on Reddit where a second-year MBA student asked for advice, and he got more than he probably bargained for. More than 80 people responded to the Reddit post and, in the end, the clear winner was Microsoft. However, that may have had more to do with Reddit users and reputation than reality.

Unfortunately, the choice between Microsoft and Amazon isn’t easy. Drawing a direct comparison between the two companies is difficult. The reality is that Microsoft has been around for a lot longer. In its early days, its culture was probably far more similar to Amazon but, in recent years, after Satya Nadella took the helm as CEO, that’s changed.

“Culturally speaking, Microsoft is really different than when I worked there before the MBA,” wrote a Reddit user. “With Satya at the helm of the ship, the sniping, competitiveness, and political infighting that plagued Microsoft has largely subsided.”

The same can’t be said of Amazon. In recent years, the company’s culture has taken a big hit. In particular, many people’s opinion of the company took a drastic downward turn after a scathing exposé was published in the New York Times. And even though several employees and the CEO have responded to the article and said it doesn’t reflect the culture, the viewpoint remains.

So, which one is better? It all comes down to what you’re looking for in a company. The startup culture that is Amazon will always be more cutthroat than a more established company such as Microsoft, but that means that the opportunities will also be greater. While we can’t draw a conclusion, we’ll leave you with a few responses from Reddit users who  have worked at each.

Mattw242 Reddit writes:

“Currently work for Microsoft. Benefits are unreal and culture is crazy good and Satya is kind of a [Steve] Jobs meets Google meets India. He’s great. Have friends that work at Amazon and really don’t enjoy it while others do… That being said, working at Amazon may carry more prestige. Long story short. You’ll enjoy working at Microsoft more, most likely. But if you can suck it up and get through a few years at Amazon, you may be better off coming out the other end.”

SeattleGunner Reddit:

“Currently work at Amazon. The office location can’t be beat if you want to live in Seattle, the campus we have is amazing and all the buildings are relatively new or brand new. The only advice I’d have is to make sure the team is a good fit for you, get to know who you would be working with and most importantly who you are working for. A job at Amazon has the ability to open doors and grow you in ways you didn’t know possible, but it goes only as far as your team and your manager. My first role here confirmed all those rumors and stereotypes about the company, my second role has me not wanting to work anywhere else.”

FactOfMatter:

“ I finished my MBA in 2013. Worked at Amazon for 2.5 years, recently started working at Microsoft. Financially speaking, I would say the problem with working at Amazon is they work you hard, stock is accelerated vesting (so you don’t get much of it until your two year mark). That said, when I was working there I was given stock when it was still under 400 dollars a share. I made out like a bandit with my final vest before starting at Microsoft.

I will say that Amazon’s signing bonus was more generous than Microsoft, but Microsoft’s base salary is higher than Amazon and more generous with up to a 20% performance bonus each year. Microsoft’s benefits are probably among the best in the region (can’t speak to FB and Google). Amazon is functionally adequate. Given those considerations, if you were to get hired today, I would argue that Microsoft’s total compensation is going to be higher than what you’d get for the same role at Amazon.

Culture-wise, Amazon really depends on the team. I’ve heard retail teams are crap, but AWS, Amazon Publishing, Amazon Studios, Amazon Instant Video, Prime Air, etc. have a more startup-like culture. There was a NYTimes article about people being bullied so much they were crying at their desks. This turned into a meme of sorts, because I’m sure those cases were egregious and not the norm. The constant reciting of the leadership principles is kind of culty. Culturally speaking, Microsoft is really different than when I worked there before the MBA. With Satya at the helm of the ship, the sniping, competitiveness, and political infighting that plagued Microsoft has largely subsided. Really excited about the prospects for what they want to do in the future.”

regions: Seattle

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