My journey actually begins a few years prior to my joining the company.  It was 2012 and I was a consultant at Daugherty Business Solutions, in St. Louis. I was speaking at the St. Louis Days of Dot Net conference and had just finished my presentation.   I went to the speaker’s room and struck up a conversation with another speaker, from Microsoft.  

We talked about technology, our presentations, and speaking in front of people.  I then made the comment, “I had an amazing time, I wish there was a job like this.”  

The Microsoft employee quickly replied, “There are jobs like this, I’m a Technical Evangelist and this is part of what I do.”

It was the turning point for my career.  I knew I wanted to become a Technical Evangelist at Microsoft.  The next step was to look at the career web site for any open positions.  A trip to careers.microsoft.com, then building a Microsoft-ready resume, was where I needed to go.  I also did quite a large amount of web searching, looking for any helpful information about interviewing with Microsoft.

I did find a TE position, located in Minneapolis, so I applied (on-line) and kept my fingers crossed.  After about a month, I was contacted by a recruiter and scheduled a phone interview.   I can’t tell you how excited and panicked this made me, “OMG, Microsoft contacted me for an Interview.”   This started my year-long interviewing process.

The first interview was with the recruiter.  We had a very pleasant conversation, but did not really touch the technical depths I was expecting.   I think she was looking to see if I had the passion, personality, and experiences to make it as a TE.   I must have passed, because she scheduled another phone Interview with a TE in Illinois.

From the time I got home, to the day-of my second interview, I spent all of my free time brushing up on my Microsoft skills.  I felt as if I was cramming for final exams in college.   Eventually, the day came, and I booked a private room to have my lunch-time phone interview.  I was a nervous wreck and had no idea what to expect.  Panic would be an understatement.

The interview started very nicely.  I was asked about my current job, what kind of programming I’m doing, and some details regarding the technology I’m using.   We then started discussing some of the technological aspects of .net and a few computer science related topics.   The interview lasted about an hour and it really was a very pleasant experience.   To be honest, it was more like two friends having a conversation about technology, over being a technical interview.   We finished with the, “Someone will contact you about the next steps.”

It was about one week, and I was contacted by the same recruiter.  She informed me the technical screening went very well and wanted to know if I was interested in moving forward with the interview process.   How could I say no?   She said to expect someone to contact me in the upcoming days.

The next interview I had was with the manager of the open position.  This was a telephone interview and we discussed technical topics, business situations, and the life of a Technical Evangelist.  It was a great conversation and I learned a lot about the role.  I also learned a lot about myself, which was a great aspect of the interview.   We concluded with the “We’ll contact you about the next steps.”

The recruiter contacted me a few days later to inform me of being selected for “Finals.”  Finals is the last, and most intense, part of the interviewing process.  I would be flown to a Microsoft office, where I would face a day-long loop of interviews from a number of different people.  Microsoft would take care of the transportation, hotel, and meals; and I would have to take care of making the best impression.   So, it was off to Minneapolis!

Did I mention I also needed to prepare a 10-minute presentation on a current Microsoft technology?

I arrived in Minneapolis, got my rental car, and drove to the hotel.   I stopped along the way to get some dinner, as the rest of the evening was going to be preparing for the interview.   My presentation topic was on using Azure table storage. Everything needed to be polished and I did not sleep very well…too much going over and over in my head.

My alarm went off and I jumped into the shower.  I put on my best suit and the new tie my wife helped pick out.  This was the interview(s) of my life and I wanted to look my best, despite not sleeping very well.   The whole time I was getting ready, I was rehearsing my presentation and trying to answer anticipated questions.   Eventually, it was time to drive to the office.

I arrived at the Minneapolis Microsoft office and proceeded to sign in.  The receptionist informed the manager I was here and had me wait in the lobby.   It turned out there were a other people waiting, also.  I struck up a conversation with them, only to learn they, too, were interviewing for the Technical Evangelist role.  This was my first time at “Finals” and I had no idea there was going to be a competition for the position.

It’s not as bad as it seems, but Finals is where Microsoft brings in the top few candidates considered for the position.  Each candidate will have several, 1-hour interviews, with a different person from Microsoft.  My day of interviewing was with five people, including the manager for the position.  I also was required to give my 10-minute presentation, where the audience was the entire group of interviewers.  I was the most-nervous at presentation time, but was told I did well.

The round of finals concluded with a conversation with the manager and he let me know someone would be contacting me about the results.  He let me know I did well and was very pleased with the initial results; however, the team needed to digest everything and make a final decision.   There was only one position and about five final candidates.

A few days later, I received a call from the manager.  He was very nice, but let me know I would not be offered a job at this time.  He also provided great feedback and even shared some tips on how to do better, should I consider another position at Microsoft.   Ultimately, the person given the position edged me out, technically, and they have to go with the best person for the position.   Little did I know I would end up working with the person who was offered the job.

To make a very long story, not-as-long, I will spare the details of the year.  Needless to say, I went through the interviewing process three times before I was selected to become a Microsoft Technical Evangelist.  My next two finals were in Mountain View, California; and Dallas, Texas.   It was the Dallas round that I landed the job.

So, here we are.  One year and an amazing journey to have the best job I could ever imagine.  Microsoft is an incredible company to work for and the people are great to work with.  It is also a scary place, mainly because there are so many people who are smart, which makes it easy to feel like the little-fish in the pond.  Fortunately, every person I’ve met seems to want the common goal of helping Microsoft succeed; which means we all have to help each other.

It is also very exciting working for a company which is reinventing itself.  Microsoft has made a number of changes and it almost feels like it's a brand new company.  I think there are some very exciting times, ahead, and I am thrilled to be part of the team who to helps talk about the technology and work with developers who are building the next generation of amazing applications.

In a future post, I’ll talk about some of the things I do at Microsoft, as a TE.

If you have any questions, or would like more information about Microsoft, Technical Evangelists, or interviewing, shoot me an email at: AskFink@Microsoft.com

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Here's the list!!  Let me know which ones are your favorites!

Follow @WhatsTheBigIT

If you are reading this, then you probably are wondering how you can get some awesome free software from Microsoft.  You know, like Visual Studio Ultimate.   What if I tossed in $150/month of Azure credits?   Are you interested, now?   There's got to be a catch, right?   Well here is the scoop:

1) You have to have a product in mind.  This can be an app, game, or service idea (but not consulting)

2) You have to make less than $1M in revenue.  Zero dollars is less than $1M.

3) You have to be in business for five years, or less. Starting today is less than five years.

Microsoft would like to partner with startups to help you succeed (we, too, were once a startup)

This is a perfect opportunity!  Worry about your business, not your IT infrastructure or tools!  BTW: Did you know you could pretty-much run your entire organization in the cloud, with Microsoft Azure?  We certainly do way-more than just websites.  We'll even let you run Java, Linux, and Oracle in our cloud, but would love to see you spin things up on SQL Server and develop in c#.

Great, Fink, how do I get started?  

Good question.  Shoot me an email with some details about your business.  Try to provide as much detail as you can, specifically around #1 -- the business :-)

After I review your information, and you meet the objectives, I'll send you a fast-track into the Microsoft BizSpark program.   This will give you immediate access to all of the benefits that come with BizSpark, which include a MSDN subscription and $150/month Azure credits.

Just send your information to me:  AskFink@Microsoft.com

Oh, and I almost forgot.  I can also help direct you to some incredible free training videos from Microsoft Virtual Academy.   

What are YOU going to build?

Hidden Garden FairyLand
Hidden Garden Gemstones
Hidden Garden Heartbreaker
Hidden Garden Word Pop
Hidden Garden Word Scramble
Hidden Garden Word Mystery
Hidden Garden Word Jumble
Difference Garden Fairy Tale
Difference Garden Midnight
Farm Fun
Turbo Snow Skiing
Dynamite Fishing
Math Animal Shapes
Candy Muncher

Follow @WhatsTheBigIT

Please sign-up here

To participate, you will need:

• Laptop/Computer running Windows 8
• Visual Studio 2013 Professional
• Credit Card

The credit card is required ONLY if you plan to publish your app (and you are, aren't you?). Publishing to the app store will cost $19.00 (unless you are a DreamSpark, BizSpark, or MSDN subscriber). You will also need the credit card to validate your account with the store. This is required of everyone, even Microsoft Employees.

Click here for more information about building great apps and resources from Microsoft

Follow @WhatsTheBigIT

  Follow @WhatsTheBigIT

Students will find DreamSpark to be a compelling option as they learn about software development. The program provides free downloads of both operating systems AND development tools.  These are the same tools used by professional software developers, and school labs.   We are talking Windows 8.1 Professional and Visual Studio 2013 Ultimate.   The program also provides a large number of other Microsoft titles typically found with MSDN subscriptions.

The DreamSpark program also provides student access to the Windows Store, where they can submit their own Windows Store Apps and Windows Phone Apps; and, the store sign-up fee is waved.  Student Window Store apps can generate revenue at the same compensation levels as everyone else; which is an attractive avenue for students looking to earn money.

DreamSpark is only for academia.  Once the student graduates, Microsoft has another path for individuals to access software and services.  BizSpark is a program similar to DreamSpark, but with slightly more requirements.  To qualify, your business has to be: actively developing software or apps, less than five years old, and make less than $1M annually.

Once accepted into the program, there are almost too many benefits to list.  For starters, BizSpark provides access to a MSDN subscription.  With this subscription, you can download operating systems, developer tools, and other great software.   The MSDN subscription also provides $150/month credits for Microsoft Azure.   One could literally build an entire business in the cloud with BizSpark.

Knowing about these two programs is especially advantageous for students.  Individuals, or teams, can start thinking about building their own business, or startup, while in school.  This will provide a natural and easy progression into the BizSpark program.

The plan is simple:  Learn | Build | Be your own business.  

Microsoft can help you reach your goals!

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Location:

Summerfield Hall Room
1300 Sunnyside Ave
Lawrence, Kansas, 66045
5:30pm - ?

Since you are the host, you have to establish the ground rules.  My recommendation is to talk amongst the potential contestants before the event and outline some of the things which might work best to avoid conflict.  Here are some examples:

• All apps must start with the "Blank" template.
• No third party libraries may be used  -or-
• Only third party X may be used
• Perhaps suggest a sports-related theme
• All must consume the same data service(s)

If you have enough people, you could break into teams and do some serious pair-programming!  Heck, maybe a great rule could include the developer's significant other :-) 

Here are some simple guidelines for your success:

Pre Game:

Here is where you establish the ground rules for the game.  Mileage will vary and be creative.  The ultimate goal is to publish an app to the App Store.    The App Bowl is broken down into quarters and will follow the big game on TV.  It is highly recommended to adapt additional rules to enhance the personalities of the participants.  

First Quarter:

It's still early in the game and anything can happen.  This is the App Bowl, after all, and a prize should be awarded to the contestant who has the best progress on their app.  

Half Time:

Are you ready for the half-time show?  The contestant with the most progress by half-time gets first-in-line privileges to the snack table/buffet (You do have a snack buffet table, don't you?) .  Enjoy the break!  Once the game resumes, it will be a mad dash to the finish line! 

Third Quarter:

This is the bragging rights quarter.   The person with the most progress gets the first slice of pizza and/or chicken wings

End of Game:

The winner of the App Bowl is the first person to submit a functioning app to the app store.  The app MUST adhere to the general guidelines for acceptance to the store.  Because of this, the actual winner may not be fully determined until the app shows up in the store.  Don't let this slight delay smother the festivities.  Give the winner a trophy, and be very creative with what you consider a trophy!

Have fun with this event!  Getting your techie friends together and knocking out code is a great way to enhance your skills and gain exposure to technology you might not have at work.  There is also nothing quite like the friendly competition amongst friends!

The end of hockey season is another perfect reason to host another App Bowl.   Perhaps one of your other friends could host, "The App Cup!"

Here are some links to help prepare you for the App Bowl:

Microsoft Virtual Academy
https://aka.ms/AppBowlTraining

Visual Studio

https://aka.ms/AppBowlEquipment

App Rules and Guidance (MSDN)

https://aka.ms/AppBowlRules

If you do host an App Bowl, let me know how it turns out!