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Information about Spectrum

 
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Ann2



Joined: 15 Jun 2007
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:24 am    Post subject: Information about Spectrum Reply with quote

I'm being interviewed by Spectrum for a language coach position with Microsoft. Any information about the job - duties, living conditions, salary - will be appreciated.
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squindia



Joined: 13 Jun 2007
Posts: 38
Location: Bangalore, India

PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hi ann2

I work for spectrum in Bangalore. The job is working in a technical support center for engineers. We quality monitor their service calls and coach them individually to work on issues we hear during their calls. There is also teaching the ocassional email writing workshop.

Living conditions are good in general. Of course this is subjective and it always depends on your previous or current living condition. Most language specialists here save money, travel, and live well.

Salary depends on your experience and qualifications, they will tell you a range during your first interview.

Please feel free to email me if you have further questions or ask anything else in this thread. I'm happy to answer any questions Smile
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Ann2



Joined: 15 Jun 2007
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 2:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the information.
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graftonstreetgulf



Joined: 15 Nov 2006
Posts: 25
Location: South America

PostPosted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 5:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hi squindia..are you still with spectrum?
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squindia



Joined: 13 Jun 2007
Posts: 38
Location: Bangalore, India

PostPosted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

hello!

yes i am. send me a private message if you want information. i do not want to post in the open forum as i am still working at Microsoft.
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dosguy23



Joined: 20 Nov 2007
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 8:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I worked for Spectrum/Microsoft a couple of years ago, and I have to say that it was one of the best TEFL jobs I've had. The money was good, and like squindia said, most of the teachers have plenty of time to travel and the housing situation is very good compared to the housing I've had in other countries.
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travelingirl68



Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Posts: 214
Location: My Own State of Mind...

PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is my 3rd contract with Spectrum/Microsoft, please feel free to contact me as well with questions about the job, life in India/Bangalore, etc.
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alyssa



Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi sguindia, dosguy23, and travelingirl68,

I tried to PM you all, but I apparently haven't posted enough... Anyway, I'll be having a second interview with Spectrum soon, and I'd love any advice you can give me. Also, what is the salary range? They asked me to give my salary requirements and I, quite frankly, have no idea what the cost of living is in Bangalore.

Any and all thoughts are much appreciated!

Best,

Alyssa
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tina20



Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Posts: 49

PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

****************

Last edited by tina20 on Sat Jun 01, 2013 2:57 pm; edited 1 time in total
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msdevd



Joined: 25 Dec 2010
Posts: 1
Location: Bangalore, India

PostPosted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tina,
This is a position you should think carefully about before accepting. It is a corporate position, not an educational one, and it is very difficult for people who come from an educational background.
You will be expected to do a high number of QM (quality monitoring) reports each month, and you have to schedule coaching sessions with the microsoft engineers in which you train them based on your QM assessments. The main difficulty with the position is that the engineers are not actually required to meet you for these coaching sessions, even though your job performance will be evaluated based upon your ability to cajole the engineers into attending your coaching sessions. If the engineers do not feel like attending, or they are too busy achieving their own targets, then it is your tough luck and you will go "red" on your scorecard. You will have a monthly scorecard to achieve that your performance will be evaluated upon.

You will also be expected to work long hours when required. "Stretching" your shift as they say in the company is standard and is becoming more expected by the team manager. Spectrum will tell you that you will only work up to 45 hours a week, but this is not true. There are days when you might be expected to work 10-12 hour shifts in order to both meet your targets and attend team meetings, and people are even being asked to work on weekends now for hiring interviews. The problem with this is that India does not have the labor laws that western nations have implemented, so you will not get overtime pay for these long shifts, regardless of what Spectrum might tell you in the interview process.

From my experience, this job has been extremely difficult and frustrating at times, but it has many, many positive aspects and has been worthwhile. Your colleagues and managers are very fun to be around and work with, and you will be provided with great learning opportunities while working for the culture and communications team. but you should be aware of the difficulties that the job poses before committing to it. If you want a further fair and detailed analysis of the the team, the managers and their management style, and the job itself, please feel free to contact me.
Best Regards,
D
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tina20



Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Posts: 49

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 6:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi msdevd!

Thanks a lot for your reply! Smile

I, of course, have some follow-up questions and have sent you a PM.

Thanks again!!
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Steinmann



Joined: 17 Mar 2009
Posts: 255
Location: In the frozen north

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 11:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Man, I'd love to get back to India. I just don't see much opportunity there. Perhaps I'm not looking in the right places.
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Sanjay



Joined: 14 Feb 2005
Posts: 12

PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 1:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Msdevd, Tina20, Alyssa

I'm also contemplating an offer from Spectrum, can you please PM me more info on what thinks are like there at the moment, especially in regards to working hours, environment, management etc.

I'm unable to initiate a PM, but would really appreciate any insights you may have.

Thanks so much!
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Crimson



Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 8

PostPosted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi all!! I am in the same position as some of the people above: two of whom I have pm-ed, but haven't heard back from...Why are people not being upfront about salaries. Spectrum isn't either: ot even a salary range, and I haven't pressed it. I don't feel that comfortable about wasting my time with absolutely no knowledge about the salary. I have had two positive interviews, and now silence of a week before the third!!! really strange after a full on blast to court me by Spectrum and Microsoft. I have the MA TEFL ad 28 years of experience!!! Hmmm!!
Can anyone shed any light on my concerns please?????
Thank you, from Crimson.
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SaharaDesert



Joined: 05 Nov 2008
Posts: 260

PostPosted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Does anybody currently work for this company ?

If so, what is the working environment like now ?
What is the furnished housing like ?
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