Thanks for posting your interviewing experience… it most definitely helps us wanna-be microsoft’rs!!

I might have an interview as an Application Architect (not in the US office), and was wondering if the interview process would still be technically focused as the role as described in the job description appears to be somewhat of a ‘consulting-type’ of role; with tasks such as pre-sales support, providing customer guidance during product/sales cycles, providing internal practice management risk assessment, etc.

I started with C++ (Linux) in college and then slowly moved to C# for a brief time. I always like to prepare for the worst case scenario and will definitely read your recommended books, but as a matter of curiosity, do you think that they will focus on programming questions??

I understand there are other variables in this equation, but your thoughts would be appreciated…

Thx
-C Mist

First, I think I should introduce myself. I am an electrical engineering student in my third year, but I like programming a lot! So I basically taught myself everything related to programming. Working in Microsoft is my childhood dream so I am excited about it.

I had an on-campus interview couple months ago, unfortunately I didn’t get the second-round interview. I am not sure if you can answer this( so PLEASE don’t worry if you can’t) I was wondering how well do you need to do in your first interview in order to get the next one. In my case, during the first one, they asked me one string reversal question, I answered that correctly, then they changed the question a bit but with more difficulty, so I gave them my answer again. Anyway, they did this again and again until I couldn’t answer them. So I just want to ask you that is there a standard that how many questions you can answer correctly for the interview for them to test how well your technical skills? Thanks a lot!

I will try to apply again this coming semester. After reading your article, I feel like there’s a lot for me learn. I will try my best from now on, and hopefully get another interview.

Much appreciated and have fun in Microsoft!

James

i am a CS student. In your post you said something about “… geometry/graphics-related question.. I had seen the problem before when taking computer graphics in college, and I knew the form of the answer”

could you elobrate on that question please. i tried to figure out what the problem would be but cannot think of it.

i know you don t want to reveal much but i am interested more in finding the problem.

just being a nerd

thanks

Also, I am actually amazed and disgusted at the negativity and ignorance displayed by the commenters on this note. Ben did starting programmers a great service, even if you plan on interviewing with MS or not. For the job I currently hold, I went through a lenghty, multi-tiered interview process, so this is not out of the norm. And why the heck would you ask an interviewer ‘Why would I want to do that?’ Stupid kids, shut up and listen, you may learn something.

Again, kudos on taking the time to help others. Regardless of your employer, this should never be faulted.

Congrats for the job well done and the opportunity to work at Microsoft. I think more than determining the superiority of one company over another, your conviction of taking up the challenge is important. And that gets reflected by you in so sincere words.

best of luck

Is the position is for SDET or SDE…….

So, here’s the thing – I also started at Building 19, played with Surface, and went to Building 88 – interviewed with and accepted a position with the Live Search team. You and I should meet up when we get there – looks like our starts will be within a week or two of each other. Feel free to email me!

With regard to the post itself.. I think the level of detail is just right. You’ve painted a picture of the day and the process leading up to it, not just of the interviews. I suspect people who lament the level of detail are anticipating interviews of their own and are struggling to pick out the hardcore details from the story.

And for someone like me, who even interviewed with the same group, it’s quite a surreal experience to read, because I feel like you’re describing my day

On the subject of studying for the interviews – my interviews at Microsoft were actually the last I had in a 2-month-long spate of interviews. While I found myself relatively unprepared for my first sets of strong technical interviews, the whole process ended up re-training my mind in things I had long forgotten about. And I did spend time re-learning stuff about algorithms and data structures I had forgotten or gotten weak on. To me, this is just part of the process – you’re simply guaranteeing that you do the best job possible in the interview. I don’t see the problem. And even if you don’t get the job, you’ve sharpened your skills again, and it’s even already paid dividends in my current position, because I’ve already applied some things I re-learned several times.

Anyway, thanks for the in-depth post – I quite enjoyed it – and I look forward to meeting up in Redmond!

Basically, be honest. If you know an exact answer, tell them so (they did ask me an exact question that I knew, I told him I knew it so we skipped it). The prep is not going to fool them into giving you a job you don’t deserve, trust me. They’re going to probe you until you can’t answer anymore. Even stuff I knew, they took to the next level, so you’ll definitely be thinking on your feet no matter what.