A chat with Andre, Account Tech Strategist/ recruiter at Microsoft

Microsoft l Chile l Account Technology Strategist

A 60-min interview with Andre Aquiles from Microsoft

Keep in mind that this interview only provides high-level guidance on how to better prepare for the interviews and illustrates the sort of relevant insights you can find by networking with people. It doesn´t intend to describe the interview process in detail. Enjoy the talk!

#1: How did you land a job at Microsoft?

At SAS, I had worked with teams from many companies: Samsung, Huawei, Google, etc. I had a good connection with a person from Microsoft who ended up referring me and being my hiring manager. Today, I have a technical role within the sales team.

Before, I worked at SAS and realized that I was getting behind in all the cloud advancements. When I wanted to change jobs, I did research and found out that getting into a tech company - Google, AWS, Oracle, IBM, Accenture, Deloitte - was easier if you have a technical profile. The sales-related roles tend to be filled out with internal candidates. They usually look outside for senior profiles with strong networks and connections.

Therefore, the easiest option was to obtain some certificates and start with a more technical profile. In the tech industry there are a few well-defined tracks, and each track has 2 to 3 certifications to obtain the technical foundations - these are key for the recruitment process. This works for Microsoft, Google and Amazon. Analyze which ones have more demand. In Amazon, for example, the first interview already includes technical questions related to those certifications. Google, more similar to Microsoft, has a screening call, then a technical interview, and finally a behavioral interview.

Once you are in with a tech role in any of these companies, it is relatively easy to move around.

#2: How was your recruitment process?

It was four interviews in total.

• The first interview was a screening call with HR. They wanted to validate my English skills, asked a few basic questions, and confirm my fit with the position

• The second was two architects who would be working with me. I had to build a Cloud solution and explain it to him (how data is processed, how I generated statistical models, etc.)

• The third was with the hiring manager with a focus on behavioral/ business questions (30 min) and a technical part - "Share your screen and do... "(20-30 min)

• The final round was with the Latin America Director from the customer success unit

Preparing the interview isn´t so difficult because there is a well-defined technical track within the company. You need to validate the certifications and do research on the specific interviews.

#3: What makes a resume solid for a profile with mix of tech/ sales?

Highlight business impact, not just technical skills. We have a strong sales focus, so it's crucial to go beyond listing technical abilities. You should frame your experience by highlighting your impact on sales and client adoption. We are measured by solutions utilization rates, not just sales volume.

This means including metrics that demonstrate how your work led to business outcomes, such as increased solution utilization, expanded client licenses, or improved client retention. This positions your technical expertise as an enabler for sales and client value.

#4: How does networking help?

It is useful to do networking - think whether you have worked with someone or know a person who has a contact inside the company. Speaking with an insider can give you valuable insights on what they look for in a candidate and answer your questions about the process. Also, they may be willing to give you a referral, which always gives you a small advantage.

#5: How is the culture at Microsoft?

All Microsoft branches outside the USA and India are franchises with a strong sales focus. As a result, we are truly client-obsessed. In my previous roles, I often worked in teams focused on forcing a sale. Here, however, similar discussions always end with the same questions: "What's best for the client?" and "How do we maximize our revenue by doing what's best for them?". This was a massive paradigm shift for me, and it's easy to see why this customer-centric approach is effective.

#6: What do you collaborate with other teams in your office?

Microsoft's organizational structure for customer-facing roles is quite distinct. We have our headquarters and regional teams, like the LATAM team. The local teams are split into three units:

• Account Teams: These teams have assigned clients and are directly responsible for sales quotas.

• Specialists: These are deep product experts who work with a wider range of clients, often segmented by industry. They are responsible for developing proofs of concept and outlining the technical solutions clients need.

• Success Teams: This unit is responsible for implementing these solutions or helping clients with the implementation process.

My primary role is to identify new opportunities and ensure we deliver on the client's expectations. My typical workflow follows a clear process:

• First, I collaborate with a client's C-level executives (like the CEO and CTO) to validate and develop their annual plan. From there, we map out specific opportunities

• Next, I engage our specialists to help define the technical architecture. If the plan is solid, we bring in architects to refine it further

• The final step is to implement the various initiatives

  
  

My main challenge is managing a large volume of new requests and initiatives. Our team of specialists, who are essential for implementing these solutions, is a limited resource. This requires a strong prioritization strategy.

Thanks!