Working as a Staffing Consultant within Online Services Division here at Microsoft, I am constantly reminded that my job has a lot of similar aspects to sports and trying to put together a team that is set up to win. While watching the NBA Eastern Conference Finals this past weekend, I noticed the intricacies of what it took to put a winning team on the court. Even before teams come together, there is a lot of behind the scenes work that needs to be done in order to produce a winning product. 

Sometimes I feel like I am a Scout (Staffing Consultant/Recruiter) working with General Managers and Coaches (Hiring Manager) providing them potential talented players (candidates). I know that GM and Coaches are always looking to find that MVP talent. But part of putting together a great team is help GM’s and Coaches look beyond what is immediately need, but also look at potential and long term goals. As a Scout you also have to provide the reality of the situation of what is available.  If there are pressing needs in order to meet goals they have, from time to time you don’t have the ability to wait for that MVP to become available. If they wait, they may miss the chance to still win immediately. Look at the Miami Heat for example.  Love them or hate them, their team has bought into winning and committed to the long term. They have their MVP’s in LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. They have proven veterans in Udonis Haslem and Chris Bosh. They drafted potentially a great player in Mario Chalmers. The Heat also have their specialists in Long-Range Shooter Mike Miller and James Jones as well as Defensive Expert and Role Scorer Shane Battier. All committed to the long term goal of winning multiple championships. Now whether they win or not is another story, but the Scout never stops working and is constantly providing the team information and opportunity put the best team on the floor.

Do you want to be a part of this winning tradition. Currently you have the ability right now to join us within Online Services Division at Microsoft and be a part of a championship team. I am actively looking to fill Software Design Engineer in Test roles focusing on the development of test automation within the online space. These roles are critical to the development of the dynasty that is Online Services Division. Come be a part of the experience.