Microsoft Customer Service & Support - What is CSS?

Over the past couple of weeks we’ve been able to showcase stories from last month’s GIVE campaign. Here’s another one which takes a look at the organization LittleDrops and one Microsoft employee who got it going…

LittleDrops raises funds for orphans, education

By LINDSAY LARIN
Bellevue Reporter Staff Writer
Nov 03 2009, 1:11 PM

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/community/68929382.html

Charles Duze is a dreamer.

The Microsoft software engineer grew up in Nigeria where he began to understand the importance of education. While attending high school, Duze remembers the impact of seeing children going through the garbage behind the school cafeteria in search of food. It was then that he decided to follow his dreams of becoming successful, eventually starting a nonprofit when he made his fortune.

The dream stayed with him as he grew, but the path he took led him in a new direction. Duze soon realized he did not need to be wealthy to help others.

In 2005, he started a nonprofit called LittleDrops Orphanage Fund. The name reminded him that little drops of water can make a mighty ocean. He stuck to his vision and began generating donations and volunteers to provide orphans with a variety of support in the form of food, clothing, shelter and education.

A number of employees from Microsoft stepped up to the task and donated time and energy to grow the nonprofit. Over the past four years, LittleDrops has gone from supporting 6 orphanage homes to 26 throughout Africa including locations in Nigeria, Kenya, Cameroon, Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda. The organization has helped more than 2,000 children.

"When I ask the younger children what they want to be when they grow up, they tell me they want to be pilots, or engineers, or doctors," he explained. "Somewhere along the way they lose sight of those dreams. I want to help them hold on to them and achieve those dreams through education and support."

Duze's next step is to create a program using todays technology to connect orphans with adult mentors who can act as an unwavering support system over the years. The mentor would become a virtual parent.

"Our goal is to support these children beyond the orphanage, so when they turn 18 we don't just leave them on their own," he said. "We want to create a structure that would give continued support with education."

Microsoft's Giving Campaign provides the majority of funding for LittleDrops.

"It's a great benefit having a company like Microsoft behind us," he said. "I'm lucky to work for a company that encourages employees to make a difference."

To learn more about LittleDrops Orphanage Fund or to donate, visit www.littledropsorphanagefund.org.

Bellevue Reporter Staff Writer Lindsay Larin can be reached at llarin@bellevuereporter.com or 425-453-4602.

Last week Microsoft's Charlotte campus was honored to be named the Best Place to Work for large companies in the Charlotte area, by the Charlotte Business Journal. A survey went out to Charlotte Microsoft employees last spring to gauge workplace environment. Employees responded enthusiastically enough to earn their hometown campus top honors.

A big congratulations to our CSS and Charlotte colleagues - and a big thank you to the Charlotte Business Journal! You can read more about the award, as well as who else was honored, here. And you can learn more about our Charlotte offices in our profile of Staffing Consultant, LeVay Penny.

While the nation debates universal health care options, Business Week has taken a look at how companies can save money modeling their health care options after what Microsoft has been doing for years: sending doctors to employee's homes for non-emergencies. Take a look at the article to read more and find out about just another benefit for Microsoft employees.

"The Return of the House Call"
With health-care reform dominating Washington, policy analysts and benefits experts are looking at every possible cranny to unearth new, futuristic ways to slash costs. Yet one innovation that has captured their imaginations actually comes from the dusty, predigital past. The Obama Administration has been keeping a close eye on Microsoft (MSFT), which, in a bid to slash costs, improve employee health, and even contain potential pandemics such as swine flu, has brought back the old-fashioned doctor's house call for employees. House calls appear in the proposed health-care reform package pending before Congress, and President Barack Obama himself has hailed them as one of the private sector's "terrific innovations."

Microsoft is one of the only, and by far the biggest, employers that is offering such white-glove, concierge-like service to workers. "The program," says CEO Steve Ballmer, "is an example of the importance the company has always put on its people." The Microsoft template doesn't make sense for every company. But for those with big concentrations of employees in densely packed locales—think of the 40,000 Microserfs and their 58,000 dependents in the Puget Sound area alone—the long-term rewards and savings can be substantial.

Here you go! These are the roles we're really looking to fill - pass them on to your friends and networks. Send any questions our way at cssjobs@microsoft.com

1. SDET - Charlotte, NC (#700568)
2. Supportability Program Manager - Redmond, WA (#705558)
3. Amalga PFE - Charlotte, NC (#703118)
4. Dynamics PFE - Non Location Specific (#706813)

(guest post by LATAM Staffing Manager, Julie) 

Named “little Venice” by explorer Amerigo Vespuccci for its towns built over water, Venezuela is now home to over 24 million South Americans living in this highly visible and vibrant country.   Fully named “Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela”, this beautiful country possesses a full range of geography that encompasses Amazon rain forests, Andean ranges, gorgeous beaches and the tallest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls. 

In addition to its status as the country possessing the most global beauty pageant winners, Venezuela contains some of the largest oil and natural gas reserves in the world.  Its economy is dominated by the petroleum sector which accounts for nearly 1/3^rd of GDP and 80% of exports and more than half of government revenue.   A founding member of OPEC, this valuable resource has allowed the country to thrive as the world’s oil consumption escalated in the last 3 decades. 

The Venezuelan flag is yellow, blue and red with yellow representing land wealth, the blue representing courage, and the red for independence from Spain.   The country is proud of its heritage and protective of its incredible biodiversity.  Home to some very notable mammals such as the giant anteater and the capybara, the world's largest rodent (140 pounds) Venezuela is also known for the famed Orinoco Crocodile which has been reported to reach 22 feet in length. 

Following up yesterday's first story about the Give campaign, here's a video about Microsoft's Global Citizenship Initiative:

"View how Microsoft’s Global Citizenship Initiative is focused on mobilizing our resources across the company and around the world, to create opportunities in the communities where we do business, and to fulfill our commitment to serving the public good through innovative technologies and partnerships."

You may not know this, but every October Microsoft holds a Giving campaign which turns into a huge event designed to encourage employees to donate time and/or money to their favorite non-profits. When all is said and done, Microsoft will match dollar for dollar (and dollars for time) the donations employees made. It's pretty remarkable. Millions of dollars are raised across the country through this event. And what's more is that Microsoft's matching program isn't limited to one month: we can have our donations matched any time of year. This is just one of the many reasons I am so proud to work for this company. (You can learn more about Microsoft's Corporate Citizenship - including the Give campaign - at their website.)

Over the next few weeks we'll be showcasing this spirit by retelling some stories from the Give campaign which just finished up. Today we bring you a story about how employees helped make a different to fight the AIDS epidemic:

Microsoft employees put a face to the AIDS epidemic

By LINDSAY LARIN

Bellevue Reporter Staff Writer

Nov 03 2009, 12:59 PM

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/community/68924092.html

Microsoft employees stepped away from their computers this past week and into the AIDS-affected communities of Africa through the Interactive AIDS Exhibit created by World Vision.

Employees had the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of a child affected by the AIDS crisis by listening and experiencing the true stories of young children suffering from disease, malnutrition, violence, abandonment, and childhooded households.

World Vision created the Interactive AIDS Exhibit to help put a face to the 15 million children orphaned by AIDS.

Employees on the Redmond campus helped pack 200 Caregiver Kits for family members and local volunteers in Africa, Asia and Latin America who are caring for those living with AIDS. The kits supply the materials needed to safely and effectively prolong lives and relieve suffering. The Caregiver Kits also include a personalized note from the person who individually packed the kit to the Caregiver who will receive it half way across the globe.

To date, there are 77,000 World Vision Caregivers in the field. A single kit provides enough supplies for one caregiver to give medical aid for an entire year.

For International Facilitator, Princess Kasune Zulu, who attended the Microsoft Giving Campaign through World Vision, the Caregiver Kits mean the difference between life and death. When her mother was dying of AIDS in their in Zimbabwe, Zulu traveled five hours one way to find a fungal cream that is provided in the Caregiver Kits. By the time she returned with the cream, her mother had passed.

Zulu lost both her parents to AIDS in 1997 and became the head of her household, caring for her siblings who later passed away due to the AIDS virus. After finding out she tested positive for AIDS, she decided to break the silence and pursue social justice issues surrounding AIDS and HIV.

"I have dedicated my life to speaking at different venues because statistics can be overwhelming," she explained. "There is a face and a life behind every one of those 15 million. I am humbled by the opportunity to visit Microsoft and share my story with the people who work here."

For nearly three decades, Microsoft has encouraged its employees to recognize the importance of community outreach and participation in nonprofit organizations, helping both local and world-wide causes. Each October, Microsoft launches a company-wide Giving Campaign, opening its Redmond campus to nonprofit organizations to help educate employees on the many different charitable opportunities available.

"Microsoft has always been committed to giving back as a company," explained Akhtar Badshah, the senior director of community affairs for Microsoft. "There is a tremendous amount of need in the community and it's our job to get employees excited about giving time and finances to make a difference."

Organizations such as United Way, Make-a-Wish, Friends of Orphans, and the LittleDrops Orphanage Fund were represented during the non-profit agency fair. Throughout the month of October, employees also participate in friendly competition, fundraising challenges and a silent auction- all to help raise awareness and support for national nonprofits.

For every hour of time spent volunteering, U.S.-based Microsoft employees are matched at $17 per hour through the Volunteer Time Matching program and donations made by employees to eligible nonprofits are matched dollar for dollar by the company, up to $12,000 each year.

Through its matching contributions program, Microsoft allows its employees to direct corporate contributions to thousands of nonprofit organizations working to improve lives in the United States and around the world.

"Employees here feel like they're making a difference and it motivates them," Zulu said. "The DNA of Microsoft sets the right example for other companies to imitate."

Hi all - here are the jobs this week that we're really focusing on. If you have any questions please let us know at cssjobs@microsoft.com. Thanks!

1. SDET - Issaquah, WA (#705848)
2. Operations Manager - Kent, WA (#704493)

Today we bring you the third video in our latest series showcasing what it's like to be a Microsoft employee. This time we take a look at exactly what brings you here - careers at Microsoft:

Universum - an employer branding company - recently conducted the first index of the world's most attractive employers. They surveyed almost 120,000 business and engineering students from around the globe to choose what their ideal company would be. Microsoft ranked #3 for business students and #2 for engineering! You can find out more from their update on their site, over here.

And if you're ONE of those students - be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the next great opportunity courtesy of Microsoft Customer Service & Support!

We here at the CSS Blog were given a  great opportunity to have an article featured in Microsoft's internal weekly newsletter (that's the best way to describe it, anyway). So what else would we write about than how we are trying to connect with more of YOU out there? If you're just getting started with this blog, or with job searching via social media at all, here's a great introduction. And if you've been around for awhile, well it's a great refresher.

Heather was able to write this up and it's pretty fantastic:

MICROSOFT'S STAFFING FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUPPORT TAKES SOCIAL MEDIA SERIOUSLY

No more Monster, Career Builder or Hot jobs? Well not completely, but in this current market, the search for jobs is fierce and candidates have to identify creative ways to connect with businesses that are hiring. Now, more than ever, candidates are realizing the need to connect and network directly with potential employers. Even passive job seekers are jumping in and joining Facebook groups and LinkedIn to broaden their network and keep their eyes open to new opportunities.

Earlier this year Staffing for Microsoft Customer Service and Support decided to join the party. We recognized  candidates were lurking in various social networking pools and we needed to get in front of them. So we went full steam ahead:

·         Facebook – watch our status updates for news, job postings or even fun pictures of our worldwide campuses

·         Twitter  – Get a quick note from Microsoft Customer Service on what’s happening

·         LinkedIn – Join our discussion group and network with other professionals

·         Our Blog  – Take a trip around the world with us as we profile different sites, the teams and how diverse each of these locations are – from culture to the benefits Microsoft offers

·         Microsoft Services site that provides a deeper dive into ALL services positions.

It’s fascinating to see the tactics that the imaginative unemployed are taking. For example, on March 9^th, ingenious Californian Jamie Varon marketed herself online, she didn’t want to work for ANY company, she wanted Twitter to take her seriously. By April 4^th she was on the front page of Fortune.com, interviewing with CNN, pursuing a book deal and taking some time to figure out how to get on the Ellen show!

Some copycats followed suit:

http://www.microsoftshouldhireme.com/

http://whygoogleshouldhireme.brendangates.com/

http://www.facebookshouldhireme.com/

Candidates and employers alike are not using the traditional job boards and don’t we ALL know someone that is looking for a job? I have seen plenty of Facebook updates where friends are helping other friends connect to open jobs. And friends of friends are helping people land jobs.

I know each one of us has been asked at least ONCE in our tenure at Microsoft for some job assistance. It could be a dad at your son’s t-ball game or a friend of a friend at a cocktail party, we ALL know someone that wants to connect with a real life Microsoft recruiter. Or maybe they just want to passively watch our blog or our Facebook fan page and learn a bit more about the organization. But by giving them the freedom to come and peek as they want to, we are also giving them the ability to speak up should they find a position of interest.

Just shortly after our social networking launch in  May we received a referral of a Former Microsoft employee, within ONE week he was re-hired, now that’s some great ROI!

Jobtini’s (after hour cocktail/social networking hours) are popping up all over and it’s pretty clear that in a saturated market its not “what you know” but “who you know” or who can you “get to know” to find that job. 

So join our efforts, fan us on Facebook, follow us on twitter and watch our blog! Tell everyone you know about Staffing for Customer Service and Support! And don’t forget to reach out to your recruiters and identify their social networking efforts!  This is a way you can help Microsoft and help friends, family and talented job seekers get their foot in the door at the world’s best employer!

(guest post by LATAM Staffing Manager, Julie)

Named after Christopher Colombus, this country of 44 million people is the 6^th largest in Latin America. From its capital of Bogota to its scenic colonial towns, Colombia’s beauty is making it an increasingly popular tourist destination for both South Americans and travelers from across the world.  

Geographically, Colombia has mountains and beaches, rainforest and dry lands.   Its location in the  Pacific Ring of Fire makes it particularly prone to volcanoes and at the moment Colombia has 15 that are active.   Colombia ranks 6^th on the Happy Planet Index – a study that marks both human well being and environment friendliness.

Colombia is also home to several famous names in the arts – Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Nobel prize winning author of 100 Days of Solitude, Fernando Botero – artist knows for his oil paintings featuring fuller subjects in colorful environment, Shakira – award winning salsa and pop music singer and John Leguziamo, noted actor.

The PFE team in Colombia is starting to grow.  With two existing PFE’s on site and one more on the way, Colombia has a lot of growth potential that Microsoft will by working with in this fiscal year.  Our resources are both onsite (dedicated) and rapid response engineers (transactional) and we are always looking to talk to candidates with skills in the following areas: Messaging, infrastructure, platforms, SharePoint, Development, Management and Security.  If you have these skills plus an ability to adapt quickly, manage client communications and lead support efforts, please visit our website at www.microsoft.com/career.  We are always interested in speaking with you! 

Here are our roles for today! Please contact us at cssjobs@microsoft.com if you or someone you know is interested. Thanks!

1. Community Program Manager - Issaquah, WA (#704494)
2. Production Engineer - Issaquah, WA (#704554)
3. SharePoint PFE - Charlotte, NC (#705359)
4. SharePoint PFE - Non Location Specific (#705557)
5. SharePoint PFE - Chicago, IL (#704836)

One of the reasons I love being a Microsoft employee is all the attention paid to my own career development. Regular conversations with my manager about where I see myself moving, trainings and classes open to me outside of the specific scope of my role, and the corporate climate which encourages my growth within the company. If you don't trust me, here's a video which helps showcase this particular benefit of being an FTE at Microsoft:

(guest post by LATAM Staffing Manager, Julie)

Welcome to Argentina – home of Tango dancing, Patagonia and some of the best barbeque in the world.  This nation of 13 million is considered the wealthiest in South America and thrives on a strong services sector (with specific expertise in advertising) and exports of agriculture, cattle, machinery, oil refining and textiles.  

Buenos Aires is the financial, commercial, industrial and cultural hub of the country is sometimes referred to as “the Paris of South America”. Its wide streets and baroque architecture highlight its Italian and French influences in everything from government buildings to churches. 

Argentines are passionate about their football – the country has no less than 24 professional teams in current circulation and these teams produced such greats at Diego Armando Maradona, one of the best players of all time.   Horse racing, Polo and Formula One racing are popular sports as is the national sport of Pato, played with a six-handled ball on horseback.     

 The country also boasts two unique icons amongst its range of topographies. The peak of Aconcagua is the highest in South America and the Western hemisphere at 22,841 feet. It is one of the seven summits and is a tourist destination for experienced mountaineers.  The city of Ushuaia, in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego region, is the southernmost city on the globe and is often a last stop for ships to Antarctica and the Falkland Islands.  

The PFE team in Argentina totals 8 engineers. 7 transactional field engineers who move from client to client for limited engagements where they address mission-critical issues on tight timelines.  The team also has 1 DSE or Dedicated Support Engineer who provides senior level technical support and expertise for major clients for longer, full-time engagements. The Argentina PFE team is currently looking for a senior engineer with a background in SCCM/Management but we are always on the lookout for strong engineers in our core practice areas as well - Collaboration, Messaging, Platforms, Security, Database, Sharepoint and Development.

For more information, please visit Microsoft’s Argentina homepage at :

http://www.microsoft.com/es/ar/default.aspx