Why Microsoft Isn’t in FAANG (Tech Sector Guide)

Microsoft is not part of FAANG because the acronym refers to a particular group of five companies, not every major technology employer. Its absence reflects the acronym’s history, not a judgment about Microsoft’s size, influence, or career value. If you are choosing a degree or job path, focus on role requirements, useful skills, and evidence of your work—not acronym membership.

There is a small paradox here: Microsoft is one of the first companies many students think of when they picture the tech industry, yet its name is missing from one of the sector’s best-known labels. That can make FAANG sound like an official list of the best employers. It is not.

In career advising, I hear students use the acronym as shorthand for a career goal. The shorthand can help start a search, but it can also hide a more useful question: What kind of work do you want to do, and what skills do employers seek for that work? Here is what FAANG means, why Microsoft is left out, and how to plan for Microsoft or similar employers.

Why Microsoft is not included in FAANG

FAANG is an informal acronym for Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google. It became popular in financial media as a label for a selected group of large technology companies. Microsoft was not part of that original group, and the acronym was never designed as a complete list of technology employers.

The name has changed less than the companies behind it. Facebook changed its corporate name to Meta in 2021, while Google became a subsidiary of Alphabet in 2015. People still use “FAANG” as a familiar label, even though two names in it no longer match the current corporate names.

The key point is that the acronym describes a historical grouping. It does not reflect a formal rule for which companies count as “tech,” nor does it rank employers by quality, size, or career prospects. Microsoft’s omission is not evidence that the company is less important or less desirable.

Other labels, such as “Big Tech,” are also informal and can include different companies depending on who is speaking. Some market commentary uses other acronyms that include Microsoft. Because these terms do not have a single official membership list, check which companies a writer means before drawing a conclusion.

Takeaway: FAANG is a shorthand for five specific companies. It is not a scorecard for the technology sector.

What FAANG does—and does not—tell you about Microsoft

FAANG can be useful when discussing a particular group of companies, but it cannot tell you whether a job fits your skills or goals. Microsoft’s exclusion does not make its roles less relevant to your career planning. Compare actual job duties, qualifications, location, pay, and work environment rather than treating the acronym as an employer ranking.

A company name also tells you little about the work itself. At Microsoft, for example, software engineers, security analysts, designers, sales staff, and program managers do different jobs and may need different preparation. The same is true at companies commonly called FAANG.

A better comparison starts with a role, not a brand. Look at the work you would do, the skills listed in job postings, the experience you can build, and the conditions that matter to you. Use company labels to organize research, not to make a career decision.

Choosing a degree and coursework for Microsoft careers

There is no single degree that qualifies someone for every Microsoft job. Computer science and software engineering may fit many engineering roles, while information systems, data science, business, or design can fit other paths. The job description—not the degree title alone—shows what an employer expects for a particular opening.

Choose an accredited program with your target role in mind

Accreditation is an independent review of a school or program against set standards. For U.S. programs, check whether the institution is accredited by an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; CHEA’s directory is another reference. Accreditation does not guarantee a job, course transfer, or employer preference.

Before enrolling, compare the program’s required courses with current job postings for roles you may want. Review the school’s total net price, likely borrowing, transfer-credit policy, and available career outcomes. Use the school’s net price calculator to estimate your cost after grants and scholarships. A costly program or credential does not guarantee a Microsoft offer.

Match your classes to the work

Course selection should follow the role’s core tasks. A software engineering posting may call for programming, data structures, and algorithms. A cloud or security role may value networking and operating systems. Data roles may call for statistics and machine learning. Requirements vary, so check current postings rather than relying on a generic list.

These are planning examples, not fixed hiring rules. Employers may ask for different preparation, and a posting’s stated qualifications should guide your choices. Choose coursework that fills a real skill gap for a role you could explain and demonstrate.

A practical roadmap from college to a technology role

A career roadmap turns a broad goal into steps you can check and adjust. For a Microsoft or comparable technology path, prepare by reviewing postings, build the skills they request, gain relevant experience, and apply when you meet the stated requirements. Recheck postings over time because hiring needs can change.

1. Choose a target role family. Start with two or three possible roles, such as software engineering, data analysis, cloud support, or product design. Compare their daily tasks and qualifications.
2. Review current job postings. Note repeated skills, degree expectations, and experience requirements. Treat each posting as a snapshot, not a promise that every future opening will use the same criteria.
3. Build a relevant academic base. Select an accredited program and courses that support your target roles. Keep your academic progress on track, but do not assume a single GPA cutoff applies to all Microsoft jobs.
4. Create evidence of your skills. Complete projects, research, internships, or other relevant work. Be ready to explain your role, choices, results, and what you would improve.
5. Apply selectively and refine. Apply to internships and entry-level jobs where you meet the stated requirements. Use feedback and new postings to guide your next courses, projects, or applications.

A 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale can be a planning target for some students, but it is not a verified company-wide Microsoft hiring requirement. Hiring criteria vary by role, location, and recruiting program. Follow the specific posting and do not overlook skills or experience that it emphasizes.

Two illustrative student scenarios

Consider a computer science student aiming for software engineering. They review current postings, identify recurring programming and algorithm skills, then choose relevant courses and build a project they can explain. An internship may add workplace experience, but the student should apply only to opportunities whose listed requirements they meet.

Now consider a business student interested in product or program work. Rather than assuming they need to switch majors, they can inspect roles and identify relevant gaps, such as data analysis, user research, or project coordination. A course project or internship that demonstrates those skills may strengthen their application. These examples illustrate planning choices, not guaranteed hiring outcomes.

Next step: Save a few current postings for roles that interest you. Compare them, then choose one skill to build this term and one way to show it.

Microsoft hiring criteria and comparable career options

Microsoft hires for many job families, and qualifications differ across them. A degree can support a path, but it does not guarantee an offer. Project work, internships, research, and other experience can help show relevant skills. There is no single standardized test, portfolio, or credential that every Microsoft applicant must have.

When reviewing an opening, separate required qualifications from preferred ones. Check the location, level, work duties, and application instructions. Tailor your résumé to show evidence that matches the role; avoid claiming skills you cannot demonstrate. Since postings change, revisit Microsoft’s careers site and other employer pages as you plan.

It is also sensible to consider comparable roles outside Microsoft. A cloud, software, data, or security career can begin at many organizations, and experience may support later moves. Compare the role and learning opportunities, not just the company name. That gives you more options if one employer has few openings or a particular posting does not fit.

For labor market context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook describes duties, education, and outlook for many occupations. O*NET offers details on work activities and skills. Use these sources to understand an occupation, then compare them with current employer postings, which provide role-specific requirements.

Bottom line: Build a profile for the work you want to do. Microsoft’s absence from FAANG does not change the steps: learn the role, meet its requirements, show your skills, and keep alternatives open.

Frequently asked questions

These answers focus on the acronym’s meaning and how to use it in career planning. FAANG is informal, so definitions and comparisons may differ across financial or technology discussions. For job decisions, current role postings and reliable labor-market sources offer more useful detail than the acronym alone.

Is Microsoft part of FAANG?
No. The traditional acronym stands for Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google.

Why was Microsoft left out?
FAANG became popular as a label for a particular five-company group. It was not meant to list every major technology employer.

Does Microsoft’s absence mean it is less important?
No. The acronym is not an official ranking or measure of a company’s influence, quality, or career value.

What does FAANG stand for today?
It still commonly refers to Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google, though Facebook is now Meta and Google is part of Alphabet.

Is FAANG an official industry category?
No. It is an informal acronym used in media and market discussions, not an academic or government classification.

Is Microsoft considered a Big Tech company?
“Big Tech” is also informal, and people use it for different groups. Check the context or the companies included in a specific list.

Does Microsoft require a 3.0 GPA?
There is no verified company-wide GPA cutoff. Requirements vary by opening and program, so follow the specific posting.

Which degree is best for Microsoft jobs?
There is no best degree for every job. Choose a program and courses that match the qualifications of your target role.

Do I need an internship to get hired?
Not every role has the same requirements. Internships can provide relevant experience, but check each posting for required and preferred qualifications.

Will a certification guarantee a Microsoft job?
No. A certification may help with some roles, but it does not guarantee employment. Match credentials to the job’s stated needs and weigh their cost.

How should I start preparing?
Pick a role family, review current postings, identify recurring skills, and build those skills through coursework and demonstrable projects or experience.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, James Holloway. Visit our Meet the Team page.)