What really happens behind the scenes in an Microsoft interview?
Curious to know? What's the Microsoft hiring process like, and what's really going on behind the scenes after an interview? Let's get this started
Table of contents
- The Microsoft Interview
- Definitely Prepare:
- Why do you want to work with Microsoft?
- What's Unique:
- How is a candidate preparing himself/herself for an interview?
- How can they deal with issues for which they have no clue?
- How important is the academic performance given in the interview?
- What advice do you have for candidates who have average grades and are looking to work for Microsoft?
- To-do list before taking part in a Microsoft interview.
- Conclusion
Most companies are conducting their interviews in very similar ways. We'll give you an overview of how companies interview and what they're looking for. This information should guide your preparation of the interview and your reactions during and after the interview.
The Microsoft Interview
You know, Microsoft wants smart people. Geeks, People who have a passion for technology. You're probably not going to be tested on the ins and outs of C++ APl's, C#, but you're expected to write code on the board.
In a typical interview, you're going to show up at Microsoft sometime in the morning and fill out the initial paperwork.
Feeling nervous and getting stucked during techinical interview go through this 4 helpful techniques for getting unstuck during a Technical Interview
You're going to have a short interview with a recruiter who will give you a sample question. Your recruiter is usually there to prepare you, not to grill you on technical issues. If you're asked some basic technical questions, it might be because your recruiter wants to make the interview easier for you, so you're less nervous when the "real" interview starts.
Well, be nice to your recruiter. Your recruiter can be your biggest advocate, even pushing for a re-interview if you stumbled on your first interview. They can fight to get you hired-or not! During the day, you'll have four or five interviews, often with two different teams.
Unlike many companies, where you're meeting your interviewers in a conference room, you're going to meet your Microsoft interviewers in their office. It's a great time to look around and feel the culture of the team.
Depending on the team, interviewers may or may not share their feedback about you with the rest of the interview loop.
If you're finishing your team interviews, you might be talking to the hiring manager (often called "as app;" short for "as appropriate"). If so, then that's a great sign! It probably means that you've been through interviews with a particular team. It's down to the decision of the hiring manager.
Maybe you can make a decision that day, or maybe it'll be a week. After one week of no word from HR, send a friendly email asking for an update to the status.
If your recruiter isn't very responsive, it's because she's busy, not because you're being silenced.
What's the process of interviewing top tech companies like Microsoft?
There is no fixed interview process or format in Microsoft. Changes with product groups or teams. When the interviewer calls you in for an interview, the first few stages of the process typically consist of four to five rounds, each designed to assess the applicant's analytical, problem-solving, visual design, coding, and testing abilities.
It begins with a screening round, which may be submitted in written format, by telephone or in person. There are three engineering profiles in Microsoft: development, testing and programme management.
Apart from the screening candidates, the initial round also decides which profile is best suited for you. Once the screening is cleared, proceed to the next round, which is called the 'loop.' The loop is usually made up of three to four people who interview you separately.
Definitely Prepare:
Why do you want to work with Microsoft?
In this matter, Microsoft wants to see that you're passionate about technology. A great answer might be, "I've been using Microsoft software for as long as I can remember, and I'm really impressed with how Microsoft manages to make a universally excellent product. For example, I've recently been using Visual Studio to learn game programming, and its APl's are excellent:' Note how this is a passion for technology!
What's Unique:
You're only going to reach the hiring manager if you've done well, so if you do, that's a great sign! In addition, Microsoft tends to give teams more individual control, and the product set is diverse. Experiences can vary considerably across Microsoft, as different teams are looking for different things.
How is a candidate preparing himself/herself for an interview?
It helps in the practise of problem-solving and coding. Design and test cases are usually questions where candidates, especially those who are fresh out of college, fumble. It's a good exercise to try to come up with design and test cases for a given scenario.
It's a common misconception that when you apply for a development profile job, you won't be asked to come up with test cases. What you need to understand is that it is the job of the interviewers to judge your abilities.
Your enthusiasm, confidence, approach to problem-solving, articulation of ideas, etc. are looked at with a critical eye during the interview.
How can they deal with issues for which they have no clue?
It's absolutely! You're not expected to know the answer to all the questions right away. Acing an interview is not just about getting the answer.
It's a lot about how you approach the problem, your clarity of thinking, how you backtrack when you're stuck, how you use the hints you've been given. You get a question that stumps you sometimes in an interview. Or sometimes the correct answer to a question is very subjective. Don't be disheartened if you don't know the answer.
Please do not hesitate to ask the interviewer for clarification. It's important to 'think loud' in an interview so that the interviewer knows your line of thinking and can give you hints. Interviewers usually try to gently push you towards a solution. Don't give up without trying to do that.
How important is the academic performance given in the interview?
This is a loaded question There is no definite yes or no answer, it usually comes down to individual preferences. Some interviewers look at your academic performance in your curriculum vitae, and others don't.
A good grade point average can help you get noticed in your resume screening. It can make a good first impression on the interviewer, too. But ultimately, it's your interview performance that matters the most.
What advice do you have for candidates who have average grades and are looking to work for Microsoft?
As I have already mentioned, the role of ranks in the hiring or non-hire decision is very questionable. Good academic performance helps your resume to be noticed. If you don't have a stellar academic record, try to make up for a good internship or project. At the end of the day, it's your interview performance that matters. So, getting ready for the interviews is your best bet on acing them.
To-do list before taking part in a Microsoft interview.
- Have a clutter-free, easy-to-read resume... Recruiters don't want to read a lengthy resume.
- Practice writing paper or board code. It's different from entering it in a code editor or an IDE. If you take on an online programming challenge, you're not going to have this problem.
- Don't ignore the importance of design and test cases while practicing. It usually takes a couple of attempts to get it right and stay organized.
There are few links that could help.
Microsoft topics for the preparation of the interview - GeeksforGeeks- It has a lot of questions about data structures and algorithms. This could help the Freshers and the people who passed out of college.
Microsoft Interview Questions - Here you can find the interview experience of people who have been with Microsoft all over the globe.
Free sql video tutorials for beginners - This helps people who want to learn about SQL. It helps beginners as well as experienced beginners. It's got almost all the concepts.
C# Questions and Answers Interview - This will help you to revise your basics of OOPS and C# concepts.
The world is moving towards Azure. You'll definitely add to having an idea of azure concepts.
Go through the posts below
How to be smart at Behavioral and technical Interviews
Conclusion
Let's sum it all up with a couple of key takeaways:
Take the time to learn and experiment with the basics.
Build projects and build a portfolio. Make your journey easier by building projects that you're passionate about.
Apply to work and go to interviews. Try to learn something from every experience, even if you don't get a job on your first try.
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