Diary of an application to Microsoft: from resume to visa

A long time ago, I applied to work for Microsoft. They made me an offer. Visa applications weren't made, visa applications were rejected, the offer was changed. Now, I will go and work for Microsoft. For anyone who may be interested, here is my story:

Chapter 1: Application and offer

• 2 Jan 2006:
  Send CV to resumes@... address
• 23 Jan 2006:
  Received e-mail interview from Tami
  Responded to questions
  Received confirmation that I would get a phone interview
• 10 Feb 2006:
  Michelle contacted me to schedule phone interview
• 21 Feb 2006:
  Phone interview confirmed
• 22 Feb 2006:
  Phone interview with Rudra
• 1 March 2006 and 8 March 2006:
  I chased Michelle for a response
• 9 March 2006:
  Michelle confirmed that I would soon be invited to face-to-face interviews
  Derek contacted me to arrange the interviews
• 10 March 2006:
  I requested a flight booking from Microsoft for the interviews in Paris
  Tickets were booked by Cindy
• 16 March 2006:
  Derek asked me to view and sign the online application documents
• 23 March 2006:
  Derek confirms arrangements and gives me an expenses form
• 31 March 2006:
  5 face-to-face interviews in Paris
• 5 April 2006:
  Submitted expenses form
• 7 April 2006:
  I chased Derek for a response
• 11 April 2006:
  Caitlin informs me that I have an offer
• 14 April 2006:
  Phone conversation with Caitlin to discuss details of offer, salary not yet decided though
• 18 April 2006:
  I chase Caitlin to find out salary information
  Caitlin confirms salary
  I inform Caitlin that I will make a decision in two weeks as I am waiting on another offer
• 19 April 2006:
  Srikanth, my hiring manager sends his congratulations
• 28 April 2006:
  Caitlin chases up my response
  Srikanth arranges to call me to go through any questions that I may have
• 1 May 2006:
  Phone conversation with Srikanth
  I accept offer
• 4 May 2006:
  Harmony sent me online offer documents
• 7 May 2006:
  Completed online offer documents

Chapter 2: H1-B woes

• 16 May 2006:
  Asked Caitlin when I should expect to hear about my H1-B visa application
• 17 May 2006:
  Caitlin responds, I should hear in the next two weeks
• 2 July 2006:
  I hear in the news that the H1-B cap has been exhausted and ask Caitlin about this
• 14 July 2006:
  Caitlin informs me that they could not submit my application because I did not have a degree at the time, they are looking into options
• 1 August 2006 and 14 August 2006:
  Chased Caitlin to find out about my options
• 17 August 2006:
  Caitlin responds, but still no news
• 21 September 2006:
  Chased Caitlin again
• 22 September 2006:
  Still no news but getting closer, another 2-3 weeks
• 10 October 2006:
  Explained to Caitlin that I will have to take up other work in the UK if there is still no solution
• 11 October 2006:
  Caitlin says they hope to find a solution that would allow a January/February start date but can't promise anything; offers to set back start date to October 2007 if I would prefer.
  I tell her to keep trying for a sooner start date.
• 15 January 2007:
  Caitlin asks if I would like to work in Denmark, the other option is to wait until 2007 for Redmond.
  I ask if Denmark would be permanent or just until October.
  It would be permanent.
  I decide to wait until October and head for Redmond.
• 25 January 2007:
  Caitlin says that I have a very good chance of getting a visa in October, although she can never be 100% certain.
• 26 January 2007:
  Srikanth writes to say he is glad I can wait until October 2007.

Chapter 3: Take 2

• 7 March 2007:
  Caitlin puts me intouch with the logisitics people for sorting out my visa.
  Anne requests all of my visa documents.
• 8 March 2007:
  Anne confirms that my documents have gone to the legal people.
• 27 March 2007:
  Anne sent information about Seattle. Chased up visa status with Anne.
  Anne gave me contact details for paralegal.
• 4 April 2007:
  I see that the H1-B cap has already been reached.
• 5 April 2007:
  Anne confirms that my petition was sent on time, however, as the cap was reached on day one a random selection process would be used, which may take some time.
• 8 May 2007:
  I ask Anne if anything has been heard about my visa.
  Anne has heard back about 5% of her candidates, she expects to have all results in by mid-May.
• 23 May 2007:
  Anne writes to let me know that they have still not had a response.
• 7 June 2007:
  Anne informs me that my application was not accepted. They are reviewing other options and hope to have an update by the end of June.

Chapter 4: Canada

• 19 June 2007:
  Ty e-mails me to arrange a phone conversation about my options.
• 21 June 2007:
  Phone conversation with Ty. Position could be moved to India, China, Ireland, maybe even UK or Canada.
• 28 June 2007:
  Ty tells me that he would like to focus on Canada, they intended to open a new development centre in Vancouver.
• 1 July 2007:
  Anne lets me know that they are still working on these options.
• 3 July 2007:
  I chase things up with Ty. He is still waiting for details.
• 13 August 2007:
  Canadian law firm request some details from me.
• 14 August 2007:
  Anne confirms offer for Canadian Software Development Centre.
• 15 August 2007:
  Andy arranges to talk with me over the phone to discuss new offer.
• 22 August 2007:
  Phone conversation with Andy.
  Andy sends new offer letter.
  Canadian law firm confirm that they have all the details that they need.
• 28 August 2007:
  I accept offer.
• 29 August 2007:
  Andy puts me back in touch with Anne to sort out Canada logistics.
• 30 August 2007:
  Anne requests some details.
  Jeff, my relocation specialist, gets in touch.
• 4 September 2007:
  Bond, my homefinding helper, gets in touch.
• 5 September 2007:
  Dani, my move manager, gets in touch.
• 7 September 2007:
  Get confirmation that I have approval to travel to Canada.
• 12 September 2007:
  Katie, my household goods move coordinator, gets in touch.
• 13 September 2007:
  Anne asks me to complete a reference check form.