A word from your hosts….. AGENDA LOGISTICS

WELCOME! from Cathriona Hallahan Managing Director Microsoft EMEA Operations Centre heads up workshop 2011

“Our vision is to create innovative technology that is accessible to everyone and will adapt to each person’s needs. Accessible technology eliminates barriers for people with disabilities and enables individuals to optimize their abilities and unlock their potential.” - Bill Gates heads up workshop 2011

Accessibility at Microsoft (video removed to )

Stephen Campbell Program Manager Intern heads up workshop 2011

About me  My course  How did I get to Microsoft  My experience at Microsoft

Working with a disability  Confidence  Believe in your self  Make most off your opportunity  Asking for help

Interviews  Have confidence  Expect the unexpected  Make your disability work for you

Q & A If anybody has any questions please put your hand up!! heads up workshop 2011

Microsoft Ireland

Agenda Overview of Microsoft Our graduate and intern programs What employers look for in graduates Typical graduate application process Interview tips CV preparation tips Prospects for graduates in 2011 heads up workshop 2011

Our mission and values are to help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential.

Microsoft Ireland European Development Centre (EDC) Research, development, and engineering organization shaping and creating features and services for key Microsoft products such as Windows, Azure & Office. European Operations Centre (EOC ) Delivery and support of products to over 10 Million customer annually. Responsible for more than 40% of Microsoft’s global revenue supporting customers, partners, and sales in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Sales, Marketing & Services (SMSG) Driving the Sales and Marketing of Microsoft Products, Solutions, and services to Commercial and Private sector customers for the Island of Ireland. EMEA Data Centre

Internships Roles are for students who will return to University after placement Flexible to match to various College/University timelines – 3, 6, 9, 12 month internships available €21,789 Salary Fantastic Benefits - Real-world projects and challenging work scoped specifically for Interns Great experience to help you get into Graduate Programme heads up workshop 2011

Graduate Programme For students who will Graduate in 2012 Full-time Permanent Career opportunity 36 Month Training Programmes €33,000 Starting Salary Access to all full-time employee benefits like Stock Awards and yearly bonus heads up workshop 2011

Employers are looking for… “Communication skills in all forms (written, interpersonal, social media/online) are considered to be hugely important by graduate recruiters, and the frequency with which the importance of these skills were referenced in this survey should act as call to action for students and graduates embarking on their careers. Other softer skills highlighted as being important in graduate recruitment over the next five years included the need for graduates to be flexible in relation to on going learning, IT-savvy and commercially aware. And self-motivation, ambition, drive and resilience will be as important as ever for graduates as they make the first steps on their career path.” Graduate Salary & Graduate Recruitment Survey, Trends Survey 2011 heads up workshop 2011

What we look for! Smarts – but what does this mean? Customer Focus Passion for technology Creativity Communication & Collaboration skills Specific technical or business knowledge: Finance, Marketing, C++, C#, Java, etc. heads up workshop 2011

Application Process Apply online Complete the online application or evaluation form HR Phone Screening On-site/Off-site Interviews & competency based questions heads up workshop 2011

Online Evaluation Forms General questions Be succinct and clear Check and re-read Watch for spelling/grammar errors Think through questions Approach logically Make sure to fill in all fields if possible Include details such as extra projects, summer employment, what differentiates you? Review the information before submitting and check for errors SPELL CHECK! heads up workshop 2011

Phone Interview Be prepared Study up on your perspective employer Get a good nights sleep Use a landline number where possible If using a mobile chose a quiet area with good reception Communicate clearly Think before you speak Are you answering the question being asked? STARR heads up workshop 2011

Face-to-Face Interview Be prepared Study up on your perspective employer (their business, values, etc.) Get a good nights sleep Wear something that makes you feel your best! Be yourself It’s more about how you think and communicate vs. just getting the right answer Confidence is key – don’t waffle! Show them what you’re passionate about heads up workshop 2011 Communicate clearly Think before you speak Be succinct Are you answering the question being asked? STARR Rehearse presentation if required for the interview

CV formatting tips Personal Details Ensure they are correct, especially your and mobile/phone numbers Educational Details Starting with the most recent and work back. Provide your grades. Work Experience Again, most recent working backwards. Summaries key experiences gained or skills developed on any work experience you have. Use bullet points. Personal Interests e.g. Music, any activities you are involved in.  USE SPELL CHECK!! heads up workshop 2011

Prospects for 2011 A third of employers surveyed will be recruiting more graduates in 2011, with both an actual growth in business and an increased strategic focus on graduate recruitment cited equally as the reasons for this change. Even in a downturn, top talent is still key to ensuring a company’s success. The median graduate salary for Ireland projected for 2011 is unchanged at €24,000–€25,000. This reflects the fact that while there may be fewer graduate jobs overall, there is still considerable competition amongst leading employers for the cream of the graduate crop. Graduate Salary & Graduate Recruitment Survey, Trends Survey 2011 heads up workshop 2011

How to stay in touch with us! Website: Online: Graduate application process commences in October 2011 Internship recruitment is on going heads up workshop 2011

Interviews and CV feedback Microsoft ManagerStudent Name Maurizio Cibelli Adrian Kwizera Avril Moore Aidan O Dwyer Clara Malone Aine Dunphy Dave Hipkins Brian Dalton Emma Lee Bryan Walsh Jennifer BuckeCiaran Delaney Joan HardyCiaran Nutty John Leahy Gabriel M. Mihaila John Randles Ger Gallagher Jonathan McGloinJane O’Brien Loretta Lee Janice Twomey Martin Judge Joseph O Loughlin Colette CahalaneKaren Walsh Owen O’Brien Kathrina Long Suzanne O’Toole Kevin Michael Molloy Kostas Bikos Martina McMahon Noel Boyle Mary Flannery Orla Hogan Maxime Galopin Peter Corish Niall Feeney Niall McDonagh Oki Yusef Emmet Dowling Olakunle Raheem Declan RaffertyPadraig O Keeffe Liam Patel Raymond Burke Colin Laird Ryan Bartlett Christine BarrettSarah Doyle Tom Heerey Sarah Keeffe Michelle Tierney Sinead Kane TBCTara Fahey TBC

Thankyou and good luck heads up workshop 2011