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Microsoft looks to nab Yahoo workers

The software maker touts the fact that it has search-related jobs available in Silicon Valley and in a not-so-subtle way suggests it, rather than Yahoo, is a company committed to search.

Ina Fried Former Staff writer, CNET News
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley.
Ina Fried

Having failed to buy all of Yahoo, or even its search business, Microsoft is now looking to take an even more piecemeal approach--hire its workers.

Hmmm. Now who could Microsoft be targeting here? Microsoft

The company took out an ad in the San Jose Mercury News touting the fact that it has search jobs available in Silicon Valley.

"There are now very few companies that remain truly committed to defining the future of search and online advertising," the ad reads. "Microsoft is one of them."

Microsoft's not-so-subtle dig at Yahoo is particularly well-timed amid rumors that Yahoo is in a hiring freeze, or at least a cold chill and amid a rash of high-level defections.

In the ad, Microsoft touts its partnerships with Facebook, Viacom, and Dow Jones and suggests the fun of chasing Google.

"We have a long way to go," the ad states. "It will be an exciting journey. Come join us. We have jobs in Mountain View, Redmond, and around the world."

I'll be curious to see how the hiring push pays off. On the one hand, it would seem like for a whole lot less than $40 billion, Microsoft should be able to go on a pretty significant hiring spree. At the same time, I've heard of a lot of people leaving Yahoo, but haven't heard of any big names joining Microsoft.

But, I'm open to hearing about them. Hint. Hint.