Living in the 21st-century whislt being an awkward mix of a millennial and gen-z, the words Microsoft and Google are unavoidable for me! These tech giants not only have revolutionalized the world as we know it but also my work and personal life.
This influence only makes me curious about what it would be like to working at Google vs Microsoft. What does the work culture of Google and Microsoft look like? What benefits and perks do their employees have? What does their compensation look like? And how do you get hired by Microsoft and Google?
I am sure you want these questions answered as soon as possible. That is why I have scoured the internet and put together everything you need to know about Google and Microsoft's company environment, work culture, and hiring process.
Company Culture & Work Environment
Google's Work Culture
Google's work culture is well-known for its openness, creativity, and "work hard, play hard" ethos. The work environment can be considered non-traditional (i.e: no strict dress code or office timings) yet intense, fostering an atmosphere where employees are encouraged to innovate, often working in cross-functional teams on projects that range from search engine algorithms to self-driving cars.
Founded- 1998
Job Listing- Work At Google
Headquarters- Mountain View, California
Did You Know?Google is famous for its "Doodle" culture, allowing team members to create artistic versions of the logo for significant occasions. It began as an out-of-office notification in 1998!
Microsoft's Work Culture
Microsoft's culture has always emphasized a "growth mindset," a philosophy championed by CEO Satya Nadella. This culture encourages continuous learning, adaptability, and empathy. The company values collaboration and has a more structured environment, focusing on inclusivity, diversity, and an open exchange of ideas.
Founded- 1975
Job Listing- Work At Microsoft
Headquarters- Redmond, Washington
Did You Know? Microsoft was one of the first major tech companies to establish an official employee resource group, supporting diversity and inclusion since the 1990s.
Employee Benefits and Perks
Google's Benefits
It's no secret that Google employees enjoy some of the best perks any organization could offer. I am talking about free gourmet meals, an on-site fitness center, healthcare services, and generous parental leave.
And there's more—the company also provides well-rounded health insurance, mental health support, and even a "death benefit" that pays 50% of an employee's salary to their spouse for ten years.
Did You Know? According to a report by Glassdoor, Google's benefits package ranks consistently high, especially in areas like on-site perks and mental health support.
Microsoft's Benefits
Microsoft's perks and benefits might seem more geared toward Gen X or older Millennials, but honestly, things like long-term job security and generous health insurance are enough to make any Gen Zer envious—including me!
Not to forget the competitive parental leave policies (20 weeks for birthing parents), and financial planning support. Employees are also eligible for stock awards, and Microsoft's family support program includes adoption assistance. Talk about living the dream!
Did You Know? Microsoft offers annual "Wellbeing Days," where employees are encouraged to recharge and focus on mental wellness.
Career Development and Learning Opportunities
Growth at Google
Google is big on supporting "intrapreneurship"—encouraging innovation from within. One of the most incredible things is their "20% time" policy, which lets employees spend 20% of their work hours on personal projects.
It's a great way to keep the creativity flowing. They also offer all kinds of skill-building workshops and leadership programs to help people grow in their careers.
Did You Know? Google's "20% time" policy led to the creation of products like Gmail and Google News !
Growth at Microsoft
Microsoft places a strong emphasis on mentorship and learning. Employees can access learning platforms, certifications, and career development programs tailored to support a "learn-it-all" mindset.
Microsoft encourages employees to explore cross-departmental roles, allowing flexibility to switch career paths within the company.
Did You Know? According to LinkedIn's Workforce Report Microsoft ranks among the top companies for career growth and development opportunities, with 53% of employees reporting positive mobility within the organization.
Work-Life Balance and Flexibility
Flexibility at Google
Google supports flexible working schedules, and many employees work remotely for part of the week. Most employees consider work-life balance at Google positive, though some note that high expectations and fast-paced work can lead to extended hours. Talk about sticking to your word (work hard, play hard)
Flexibility at Microsoft
Microsoft has a hybrid work policy allowing employees to work remotely up to 50% of the time. This structure offers a well-defined work-life balance that many employees appreciate. What is even great is that Microsoft has also implemented additional wellness days to combat burnout and stress among employees.
Salary and Compensation
If you're anything like me, this is the part that piques your interest the most, because when it comes to salary and compensation, hardly any other company matches their level. Here's a breakdown of how much technical and non-technical roles make at Google and Microsoft:
Google's Compensation
Google employees often receive a base salary, bonuses, and stock options. According to Levels.fyi entry-level software engineers at Google earn between $100,000 and $130,000 per year, with total compensation reaching around $180,000 after stock and bonuses.
Highest-Paying Technical Roles at Google:
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Engineering Director: Around $300,000 base salary, plus bonuses and stock.
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Senior Staff Software Engineer: Between $250,000 to $320,000.
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Principal Engineer: $250,000 to $350,000, plus equity.
Highest-Paying Non-Technical Roles at Google:
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Senior Director, Product Management : Between $296,000–$323,000 per year
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Director of Marketing: Between $245,000–$280,000 per year
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Director of Business Operations: Between $230,000–$265,000 per year.
Microsoft's Compensation
Microsoft offers a similar package of base salary, bonuses, and stock options, though exact amounts depend on the role and location. Entry-level software engineers at Microsoft make around $120,000 annually, with total compensation reaching up to $160,000 with bonuses and stock.
Highest-Paying Technical Roles at Microsoft:
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Principal Software Engineering Manager: Approximately $250,000, plus stock options.
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Principal Program Manager: Around $243,000 annually, with stock benefits.
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Principal Software Development Engineer: Around $222,000, plus equity.
Did You Know? According to Business Insider both companies are among the highest-paying for tech roles globally, with salaries generally on par.
Highest-Paying Non-Technical Roles at Microsoft:
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General Manager: Between $250,000–$300,000 per year
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Director of Sales: Between $200,000–$240,000 per year
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Director of Human Resources: Between $180,000–$220,000 per year.
Employee Reviews and Overall Satisfaction
Let's see what the employees have to say about their experience:
What Google Employees Say
Greart, Highly competitive salaries: Google consistently pays top dollar to attract and retain the best talent. Comprehensive benefits package: Excellent health insurance, generous retirement plans, and various other perks like student loan reimbursement and financial coaching - (Glassdoor review)
Overall Google is a great company with lots of benefits such as free food, gym, paid internet, cell phone, lots of vacation and free transportation - (Glassdoor review)
It's a great place. I love it. You will love it too. You should work there. Thank you, google, for giving me a great life. I loved all my coworkers. I want to work here forever- (Indeed review)
Google's Overall Rating- 4.3 (source)
What Microsoft Employees Say
Microsoft's culture is one of collaboration and teamwork. You're surrounded by some of the brightest minds in the industry, and there's a strong emphasis on sharing knowledge and helping each other succeed. The company fosters a supportive environment where everyone's ideas are valued and innovation is encouraged - (Glassdoor review)
The benefits are amazing. Work-life balance is nice. PTO and sick leave. My team was amazing. I absolutely loved my job. Mental health is important here, to a point - (Glassdoor review)
They do have really good work life balance overall, but the compensation and benefits are the best out of other competitors. Their stock options are top tier- (Indeed review)
Microsoft Overall Review- 4.2 (source)
What does the hiring process look like at Google vs. Microsoft?
Hiring Process at Google:
Google's hiring process is designed to identify candidates who possess the necessary technical skills and align with the company's culture and values.
Hiring Process at Microsoft:
Microsoft's hiring process is structured to identify candidates who align with the company's values and possess the necessary skills.
Here's what the process looks like-
Both Google and Microsoft have structured hiring processes designed to identify top talent, but they differ in certain aspects. Here's a side-by-side comparison:
| Hiring Stage | Microsoft | |
|---|---|---|
| Application and Initial Screening |
Application: Candidates apply through Google's careers portal, submitting resumes tailored to specific roles. Initial Screening: A recruiter reviews applications to assess alignment with the role's requirements. |
Application: Applications are submitted via Microsoft's careers website, with an emphasis on a skills-centered resume. Initial Screening: Recruiters evaluate applications, focusing on experience and cultural fit. |
| Phone/Virtual Interviews | Typically involves one or two short phone or video conversations with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess skills and experience. | A 45-minute phone screen divided into behavioral questions and technical assessments, especially for technical roles. |
| Technical Assessments | May require candidates to complete coding exercises or small projects to evaluate problem-solving abilities. | Technical roles may involve coding assessments, design evaluations, and problem-solving exercises. |
| Onsite/Virtual Interviews | Consists of three to four interviews over a day, focusing on structured, open-ended questions to assess strengths and team interaction. | Involves several back-to-back interviews, each about an hour long, mixing behavioral questions and coding exercises. |
| Evaluation Criteria | Emphasizes problem-solving skills, technical expertise, and cultural fit, often referred to as "Googleyness." | Focuses on problem-solving, design, coding, testing skills, and alignment with the company's mission and culture. |
| Decision and Offer | If a candidate hasn't heard back in two months, it's likely they haven't progressed. | Candidates can expect to hear back within a week after interviews. |
In summary, while both companies have comprehensive hiring processes, Google places a strong emphasis on cultural fit and problem-solving through open-ended questions. In contrast, Microsoft focuses on technical assessments and alignment with its mission.
Ready to explore the fascinating world of work cultures? We've got you covered-
Conclusion: Choosing Between Google and Microsoft
Google and Microsoft are exceptional workplaces with distinct cultures, benefits, and growth opportunities. Google might be ideal if you value creativity, informal work environments, and an emphasis on immediate perks. Microsoft could be a better fit if you seek a more structured environment focusing on growth, teamwork, and long-term stability.
The choice between Google and Microsoft ultimately depends on your professional priorities, personal values, and career goals. Whichever path you choose, you'll be part of a world-leading tech company with ample opportunity to make an impact.
This article has been written by Shaoni Gupta. She works as a content writer at Vantage Lens. Her areas of interest range from art to astronomy. When she's not writing, she is daydreaming about stepping into the worlds of high fantasy novels.