Career and professional development is an ongoing process of aligning your individual development plans with Microsoft's business plans. The goal is to achieve an optimal match between your professional growth and Microsoft's business objectives. At Microsoft, career and professional development is an integral part of our ongoing performance management cycle. Because a majority of an employee's development will happen on the job, there is a natural integration of development goals and plans with performance objectives. Just as employees and managers work together to determine these goals and objectives, they should also work together to create a development plan. This plan focuses on building the skills, knowledge and experiences needed for employees to excel in their current position, move to other positions, and grow professionally. Performance management is a year-round responsibility for both managers and employees. Developing your career requires you to view your development as a path or a direction, rather than a point or a job. Your career is not a one-off decision. It is an ongoing process that you refine and redefine continually.

You can benefit from having a career or professional development plan whether you're at the beginning of your career, looking to make some changes in your present position, or even if you already have your dream job and want to enrich your skills and knowledge. By updating and developing your skills you will find renewed satisfaction in your career as you enhance your current role or, possibly, take on a new role within the company.

A three-way partnership

Career and professional development is a partnership between you, your manager and Microsoft. You drive your career development plan, your manager assists and coaches you, and Microsoft supports your efforts by providing a framework for the process and resources for your development.

Employee: The employee's role is to drive self-assessment, planning, and follow-through on agreed-upon development activities based on the alignment of the employee's business interests, skills, and knowledge with Microsoft's business needs.

Manager: The manager's role is to assist by coaching, providing perspective and explaining the organisation's needs and business priorities. During career and professional development discussions, the manager's role is to support employee efforts to reach full potential at Microsoft.

Microsoft: Microsoft's role is to support the partnership between employees and managers by creating an environment in which all employees can do their best work. Microsoft provides tools, resources and structures that support the career and professional development process.

We want you to do your best work here at Microsoft - and improve your skills, knowledge and capabilities in the process. Your career and professional growth helps Microsoft continue to lead the industry with innovative and exciting technology. As a part of that growth, it is important that Microsoft employees have values that will contribute to our success as a company. Our values must shine through in all our interactions - in our workgroups, across teams, with partners, within our industry and, most of all, with our customers.

Career Options at Microsoft:

Your career development can be both exciting and challenging. Microsoft ensures employees are equipped with the resources and support needed to navigate career plans successfully. Each employee's career is an individual adventure and we aim to provide an environment where you can make the decisions that are right for you.

A smart career development environment recognises that not all individual contributors want to become people managers; that a professional in one area of the business may seek a cross-functional change and try a completely different career discipline; that some people are satisfied in the role they have and want to be challenged or enriched within their existing position. It's up to you!

We want you to be happy at Microsoft and achieve your individual ambitions whilst being a member of a fantastic team that shares aligned values. Our employees are passionate about this industry, the company and the roles they play in the achieving Microsoft's strategic goals.