Sales at Microsoft is very much solutions based. We think of the process as being like consultancy, except with a clear focus on delivery. In-depth technical skills are not important. What you will need is a passion for technology, as a large part of your job will be explaining to customers how it can benefit individuals, businesses and society at large.

Our global Sales Academy is a challenging, two-year programme that's geared towards business-oriented graduates and post-graduates. It will equip you with the skills and know-how for a successful career in sales with Microsoft.

We recruit you into the equivalent of a full-time role ― with the kind of commitments you'd expect ― but the MACH programme allows you to develop and grow after you arrive. The aim is that you'll gain an in-depth understanding of our products, our positioning in the market place and the needs of our customers. When you graduate, you'll have a profound understanding of Microsoft's customer values and sales propositions.

Key features of the Sales Academy:

• Support from both your manager and a dedicated mentor
• Opportunity to build a network of colleagues and friends from across the world
• Eight weeks of formal training ― both classroom-based and online
• Previous locations to which graduates have travelled include The Netherlands, Portugal, Poland and the US

Application

If you've graduated ― or expect to graduate ― with a 2:1 or above, you can apply for entry in January 2008. Please download an application formand send your completed application to gradrec@microsoft.com, quoting reference salesacademy08. The closing date for applications is 25 May 2007. If you do apply today, good luck!