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How to Get a Job at Microsoft

Empowering through innovation and technology

  • Technology
  • Typical MBA role: Program Manager

Microsoft is a global technology company known for developing, licensing, and supporting a wide range of software products, devices, and services. Founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft is renowned for its Windows operating system, Office Suite, and Azure cloud computing services.

Aside from software, Microsoft is heavily involved in hardware products, gaming with Xbox, and enterprise services. The company is recognized for its corporate culture of innovation, diversity, and sustainability initiatives, continually at the forefront of the tech industry.

What they screen for: Microsoft screens for collaborative, innovative, and adaptable candidates.

See the ranking: Best MBA Programs to Get Hired Here →

Where Does Microsoft Hire From? Feeder Schools & Pipelines

11
Feeder schools
3
Verified hires
Massachusetts
Top pipeline

Microsoft appears in the employment reports of 11 schools CollegeRanker tracks. Where schools publish exact hire counts, 3 hires are recorded, led by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (3).

Hiring Momentum · 2026-06

Growing

BLS-projected 11.3% 10-yr growth · MoM +0.84

12 mo agoNow

As of 2026-06, the occupations technology employers like Microsoft hire for carry a BLS-projected 10-year employment growth of 11.3%. We read that as growing. In practice, demand for this talent is expanding faster than the broader labor market. The fastest-rising roles include Data Scientist (36%) and Cybersecurity Analyst (33%). This estimate is grounded in BLS Employment Projections and refreshed monthly.

Schools that feed Microsoft

Schools with verified graduate placement at Microsoft, from each school’s own employment report.

  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    ✓ Verified

    Class of 2025 · Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Full-Time MBA Employment Report (Class of 2025)

  2. Washington University in St Louis

    ✓ Verified

    Class of 2023 · Washington University in St Louis — Full-Time MBA Employment Report (Class of 2023)

  3. University of Notre Dame

    ✓ Verified

    Class of 2024 · University of Notre Dame — Full-Time MBA Employment Report (Class of 2024)

  4. University of Rochester

    ✓ Verified

    Class of 2024 · University of Rochester — Full-Time MBA Employment Report (Class of 2024)

  5. University of Maryland-College Park

    ✓ Verified

    Class of 2025 · University of Maryland-College Park — Full-Time MBA Employment Report (Class of 2025)

  6. Arizona State University Digital Immersion

    ✓ Verified

    Class of 2025 · Arizona State University Digital Immersion — Full-Time MBA Employment Report (Class of 2025)

  7. San Diego State University

    ✓ Verified

    Class of 2024 · San Diego State University — Full-Time MBA Employment Report (Class of 2024)

  8. Rice University

    ✓ Verified

    Class of 2025 · Rice University — Full-Time MBA Employment Report (Class of 2025)

  9. Duke University

    ✓ Verified

    Class of 2025 · Duke University — Full-Time MBA Employment Report (Class of 2025)

  10. Dartmouth College

    ✓ Verified

    Class of 2025 · Dartmouth College — Full-Time MBA Employment Report (Class of 2025)

  11. University of California-Berkeley

    ✓ Verified

    Class of 2025 · University of California-Berkeley — Full-Time MBA Employment Report (Class of 2025)

Roles Microsoft hires for

Microsoft hires across 3 core roles we track, from Product Manager to Marketing Manager. The strongest pay sits with Marketing Manager ($156,580 median). Demand is climbing fastest for Product Manager, projected to grow 8% this decade per BLS. Each links to its full career profile, covering pay, daily work, and outlook.

Popular degrees that lead to Microsoft

The academic on-ramps into those roles cluster around a handful of degrees: Business Administration, Marketing, Computer Science and MBA — Technology Management. Business Administration feeds the most roles above and carries a median salary of $76,850.

Employers Similar to Microsoft

Employers that recruit from the same schools as Microsoft make natural alternatives to weigh side by side. Ranked by shared feeder schools and field, the closest matches are Amazon, Deloitte, McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company. If Microsoft is on your list, look at these too.

How to get hired at Microsoft

For MBA and business graduates, relevant degrees in business administration, finance, or technology management can be beneficial. The recruiting process often includes online applications, aptitude tests, interviews, and case studies to assess various skills and fit with the company culture.

To stand out, applicants should demonstrate strong leadership skills, a passion for technology, and an ability to manage complex projects. Internships, networking, and building a solid understanding of Microsoft's products and industry trends can further enhance a candidate's profile.

Target these rankings

Degrees MBA — Technology ManagementBusiness Administration (MBA) All MBA programs →

Roles you'd work in

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Microsoft?

Microsoft is a global technology company known for developing, licensing, and supporting a wide range of software products, devices, and services.

What schools does Microsoft recruit from most?

Based on verified employment reports, Microsoft's strongest pipelines are Massachusetts Institute of Technology (3), Washington University in St Louis and University of Notre Dame. Numbers in parentheses are reported hires.

How many schools feed Microsoft?

Microsoft appears in the employment reports of 11 schools we track, with 3 hires recorded where exact counts are published.

How do you get a job at Microsoft?

For MBA and business graduates, relevant degrees in business administration, finance, or technology management can be beneficial.

What does Microsoft look for in candidates?

Microsoft screens for collaborative, innovative, and adaptable candidates.

What roles does Microsoft hire for?

Common roles include Product Manager, Operations Manager and Marketing Manager; the best-paid of these, Marketing Manager, has a median around $156,580. Each links to a full career profile.

What degree do you need to work at Microsoft?

There's no single path, but the degrees that most often feed these roles are Business Administration, Marketing, Computer Science and MBA — Technology Management. Business Administration is the most common on-ramp.

Is Microsoft hiring more or fewer people right now?

As of 2026-06, hiring momentum for the roles Microsoft fills is growing (demand is rising), based on a BLS-projected 10-year employment growth of 11.3% across those occupations. We refresh this estimate monthly.

What companies are similar to Microsoft?

Measured by shared feeder schools and field, the employers with the closest recruiting profiles include Amazon, Deloitte, McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company. Compare them directly if Microsoft is on your shortlist.

Sources

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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Free · 21 pages · 5,745 institutions · 100% federal data, no surveys