Microsoft Interview Process- All About Microsoft

Microsoft Interview Process

Overview of Microsoft 

Since 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen have developed software applications, operating systems, and electronic devices under the Microsoft brand. Microsoft had a market capitalization of over $1 trillion in 2019. In addition to Apple, Facebook, eBay, and Google, the corporation grows and expands its market share. Let’s know about Microsoft Interview Process.

It offers generous salaries and comprehensive employee benefits, health coverage, and special discounts for employees when it comes to compensation. In addition, employees have access to a company shuttle bus and onsite shops and services at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington.

When it comes to tech jobs, Microsoft is always on the lookout for software engineers and developers. Azure, Microsoft’s cloud platform, is a particular focus for the company, looking for candidates who have the necessary skills. Along with technical roles, there are also management systems like financial services, human resource management, and research.

Microsoft is always on the lookout for people who are curious and eager to learn and grow. As a result, they can quickly pick up new skills and connect with other people, resulting in new ideas that can come to exitance. 

“Growth mentality” is what the company calls it. It should be applied to all aspects of the business. 

To help its employees do their best work every day, Microsoft is committed to nurturing potential within its workforce. As a company, Microsoft wants its teams to put customers’ needs first. 

In addition, it encourages workers to understand clients’ requirements before formulating and solving that go above and beyond what they had expected from them.

Microsoft Interview 

Your Microsoft software engineering (SE or SDE) application has finally been contacted or emailed to you. Your confusion and nervousness increased when you struggled to find out what to expect during the interviews. 

First of all, you’re not the only one going through this. A large number of job seekers have trouble finding clarification to fundamental questions about the hiring process. When it comes to the interview process at Microsoft, the number and order of stages may vary depending on which team you’re applying for and your qualification and experience. From the time you start interviewing until you receive an offer, it typically takes three-six weeks.

Below are the three primary stages:

  • Application Manager call 

An HR recruiter’s phone call or an open invitation to take the assessment test may kick off your recruiting process. It’s normal for a recruiter to ask about you and your interests if you’re the first one to reach out during a phone call. This process is conducted before your interview to ensure you do whatever it takes to land the job and determine which team would be the perfect suited for you.

  • Online Assessment 

When it comes to the first round of interviews, Microsoft will use a Codility test, a phone screen (video call), or a combination of both. You may be able to choose which one you want. 

  • As a student, you can anticipate a campus interview, similar to the phone screen interview, but in person. A couple of easy-medium coding questions are also expected. 
  • An interview by phone is likely to follow a cordiality test for software engineering internships. Conceptual difficulties and simple coding questions are common in internship interviews.
  • Codility interview with Microsoft 

Through Codility, an online coding framework, this online technical screen (OTS) is executed. You’ll have 60-approximately 80 minutes to complete the Microsoft Codility test, which typically includes 2-4 programming questions. 

  • Telephone interview with Microsoft 

In a Microsoft phone interview, candidates are interviewed via Microsoft Teams or skype rather than in person. About 30 minutes will be allotted for Microsoft’s phone interview, which will include cognitive, easy-medium category coding problems (1-2 questions), as well as theoretical questions.

  • Virtual interviews 

They may be simulated onsite interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams or Skype, with Codility asking technical questions. It is estimated that each interview will last about an hour and a half. As a result, if you only make it through a few of the interviews, you’re probably not going to cut. 

Microsoft onsite interview questions require you to answer two types of questions: coding and cognitive questions. If you’ve made it through the first three or four cycles, you’ll be invited to a final interview.

The AA, “As Appropriate” interview 

Getting an offer is a final step. 

You’ll encounter a Microsoft executive during the AA interview. First, the hiring manager will also want to answer any questions that were left unanswered during your assessment process. As a result, depending on your past interviews, you may be asked behavioral or technical questions. Especially if you’ve done well in past interviews, the interviewer will also try to “sell” you on Microsoft so that you’ll recognize their offer if it’s made.

Questions to Ask During a Site Interview 

One or two questions will be coded, along with a few behavioral ones. Questions about system design will be asked of you if you’re applying for SDE II or higher. 

  • Problems with the coding 

Code-related questions will appear in this segment, which you must answer in real-time. To do this, you’ll need to work through a problem on a whiteboard or other similar format in front of your interviewer while discussing your solution in the process. To test your ability to adapt your answers to new restrictions and circumstances, the interviewer may change the source code issue as you solve it.

  • Questions for Behavioral Interviews 

Additionally, you’ll be asked questions about your behavior, as mentioned earlier. Microsoft’s interview questions are unique in that they are designed to find out why you want to work at Microsoft in particular. For Microsoft interviews, it’s important to prepare by thinking about the most common questions that will be asked.

Guidelines on the preparation of Microsoft interview 

Here are guidelines for preparing for an interview at Microsoft:

  1. Learn and make sure you are conversant with coding questions 

You will have to practice answering code-related questions and solving logic problems a LOT. 

So, where do you begin? 

  • The easiest interview coding questions should be tackled first before moving on to the more difficult ones, according to experts. 
  • Choose an achievable goal, such as answering two coding questions a day, and stick to them until you achieve it. While avoiding the added stress, you’ll become more adept at solving different coding questions.
  • You can make the most of your time to prepare by practicing Microsoft interview questions. This will help you prepare for your coding interview by allowing you to practice the most important material.

2. Read about the Job you want to apply for. 

In addition to your reason to work at Microsoft, Microsoft places a high value on your ability to communicate effectively with others. There is an expectation that you will show an interest in the firm and the placement. 

If you’re searching for a position, ask yourself what topics interest you about the firm. 

Here are a few pointers to help you with that: 

  • You can learn about Microsoft’s culture by visiting the company’s website. 
  • Research Microsoft products by reading Microsoft’s literature, asking yourself interesting questions, and looking into products that you are interested in. 

That being said, you are not required to remember all there is to know about the position you are applying for. This is primarily to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job you’re looking for, as well as Microsoft. 

  •  Consider Previous Similar Experiences 

Hiring managers will want to know how well you can interact, start, lead, learn from past mistakes, and deal with criticism during behavioral interviews.

Unless you’re a young software engineer, this is very critical. In that instance, interviewers would focus more on behavioral questions that assess your ability to adapt and evolve within the organization.

  • Work well as a team. 

Microsoft explicitly tells job seekers to “be prepared to answer inquiries about professional ties you retained with former superiors and coworkers.” It’s no secret that cognitive interview questions are popular, so become familiar with the STAR method of answering them. 

Also, don’t just focus on the good things about your working connections while brainstorming instances. Conflict, disappointment, and dissent are all likely topics of conversation.

  • Show your thinking capacity. 

Brainteaser questions aren’t meant to test one’s knowledge by requiring them to provide the “correct” response. They’re all about showing the interviewer what’s going on in your brain. 

If someone asks you a hypothetical question, don’t just sit there and think about your answer. Take the interviewer on a tour of your thoughts to demonstrate how you think about challenges in general.

  • Look at the scope

This suggestion ties with a quality that Microsoft seeks in job candidates: a desire to learn new technologies. Microsoft is on the lookout for technophiles who are obsessive about the latest breakthroughs. 

Prepare yourself to talk about how you keep up-to-date on developments and what new technology you’re most excited about. 

Identify your goals and make a plan to achieve them. 

Be aware that Microsoft places a premium on long-term strategy and planning. Look at Microsoft’s job opportunities on the company’s website. You’ll be able to articulate your career goals more effectively if you have a firm grasp of the company’s structure.

Sample Interview questions for Microsoft:

Here are examples of sample questions and answers for Microsoft interview:

  • How would you create and sustain useful relationships with coworkers working in distant areas? 

Hiring managers need to know that the applicants they hire can work well with their coworkers, even if they have never met them in person. As a result, this question is critical for a remarkable amount of jobs

  • Please tell me about your achievements. 

Microsoft, a powerful IT business, is looking for top-tier applicants with the most amazing accomplishments and skills. A recruiter will almost certainly ask you to describe your actual accomplishments and how you attained them. 

How to Respond: 

When addressing this question, be modest but bold. The idea is to come across like a capable applicant without coming across as boastful. Make the most of your answer by emphasizing your strong points. 

  • Tell me about a moment when you attempted something new and failed. 

When you’re in an interview, it’s not only about bragging about your past achievements. During an interview, a hiring manager is looking for candidates who can handle being confronted with their shortcomings. 

How Do you Respond: 

Answering this question honestly and descriptively will impress the interviewer. Even though you’re having a chat about your flaws, attempt to turn the subject back to how this setback enhanced your overall performance or assisted you in growth over time. You don’t have to be tactless while answering questions; you just have to be truthful and descriptive.

  • Do you make use of Microsoft software? Which ones, if any, are you referring to? 

Because Microsoft is so well-known around the world, you’ll be in a unique interview position because you’ve likely used their products previously. This is a good test to see if you are familiar with the company’s offerings. While it’s not a need to only use Microsoft products to be employed, having one in mind that you enjoy using can be useful in an interview. 

How Do You Respond: 

Even if you’ve only used Microsoft products for a few months a year, you’re bound to find at least one service they provide that you find useful. Keep in mind that the interview is still mostly about learning about you.

  • What distinguishes you from the rest of the crowd? 

An interview is a chance for the interviewer to learn more about you beyond what’s on your CV in terms of education and work experience. They could ask you something like, “What makes you different from the rest of the candidates?” to build a more well-rounded picture of the people you’re considering hiring. 

How Do You Respond: 

Think about what distinguishes you as a candidate. A soft skill rather than a hard skill is what you should target because they’re searching for characters to represent themselves in the game. Use a quality that is relevant to the position for which you’re seeking.

  • What does the “XP” in Windows XP represent? 

Even if you don’t get asked this specific topic, the recruiter is likely to evaluate your familiarity with Microsoft and their goods by asking you questions about them. Having a basic understanding of Microsoft’s background, services, and knowledge required for a certain function would be beneficial during an interview. 

How to Respond: 

The “XP” in the word eXPerience is what it stands for in this case. As an operating system, it was picked as an analogy since it was designed to introduce new features and improve the overall user experience. However, prepare for other interview questions about Microsoft’s business and product background by doing the study.

  • Tell me about a moment when you dealt with a problem at work. 

Although Microsoft is an excellent organization, there is some internal friction. Microsoft’s ability to turn disagreements into gains is one of the reasons for its success. This question is asked by a Microsoft interviewer to evaluate how you’ll deal with bringing up a difficult subject like conflict and to better understand your dispute management abilities. 

How Do you Respond: 

If you want to get a good grade on this interview question, you need to be honest. The interviewer is interested in learning about a real disagreement you’ve faced and how you handled it. 

  • Discuss a long-term project that you were in charge of. 

Leading a team will likely come up during your interview for a leadership position at Microsoft. There’s nothing complicated about this question; it’s designed to find out more about your leadership style, prior work experience, and level of self-awareness. 

How Do I Respond: 

When asked to describe large projects they have overseen, many applicants may veer off on a tangent. The experience may have had an amazing effect on the business, but you need to find a method to communicate this in the shortest way possible. Focus on the most important components of the work and your leadership style.

  • What’s the best idea you’ve had in the last year? 

Microsoft prides itself on being a forward-thinking organization that values the contributions of its workers. If you ask prospective employees what their finest idea from the past year has been, you can tell whether or not they have this key quality of creativity that you appreciate. 

How To Respond To This Question: 

If you haven’t practiced answering this question beforehand, you’ll probably get stuck. They place more emphasis on coming up with a terrific idea on the fly than on giving a strong interview answer. Do your research and make sure that the concept you’re proposing has some application to your professional life.

Last Words 

Applicants must focus on learning about the company’s goals and principles and incorporate them into their interview responses. Because this is such a competitive industry, meticulous interview preparation is essential. From studying about the organization and interview panel to exercising your technical skills, your preparation should encompass all facets of the recruiting process. 

Microsoft Interview Process- All About Microsoft

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