Common Interview Questions for Microsoft Jobs - IQCode Recruitment

Microsoft Interview Questions

There are 113 Microsoft interview questions available.

 // Your code here 

Microsoft: A Brief Overview

Microsoft was founded on April 4, 1975, by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which eventually grew into a major global technology corporation. The company shifted its headquarters to Redmond, Washington, in 1979 and manufactures computer software, personal computers, consumer electronics, and related services. Microsoft Windows operating system, Microsoft Office Suite, Internet Explorer, and Edge web browsers are among the company's well-known software products. Its major offerings in hardware are the Xbox video game consoles and the Microsoft Surface range of touchscreen personal computers. As of 2016, it was the world's largest software maker by revenue and was ranked No. 21 on the Fortune 500 list of the largest US firms by total revenue in 2020. Among the Big Five U.S. IT corporations, Microsoft is a multinational technology company.

Microsoft's mission is "to engage each individual and each association in the world to accomplish more." This mission statement reflects the company's commitment to empowering individuals and associations by unleashing their full potential.

Why Choose Microsoft?

Microsoft offers numerous scholarship programs, internships, and full-time positions that help individuals develop their skills. At Microsoft, it is recognized that having a diverse workforce is crucial to achieving the company's purpose of empowering every person and organization on the planet to achieve greater success. Microsoft values are deeply embedded in its culture and can be explored further on its official website.

Location of Microsoft headquarters: Redmond, Washington.

Preparing for a Microsoft Interview

// Microsoft interview process // Here are some helpful tips for nailing the coding portion of the interview

// Start by practicing coding questions, such as those found on LeetCode or HackerRank // Practice coding on a whiteboard or notepad to simulate the interview experience // Brush up on data structures and algorithms, as they are commonly tested in interviews

// Tips for interviewing at Microsoft // Be ready to talk about your previous experience and how it relates to the role you're applying for // Focus on collaboration and team work in your answers, as Microsoft places a strong emphasis on these qualities // Ask thoughtful questions about the company and the role during the interview to demonstrate your interest and knowledge

// FAQ about Microsoft // Q: What is the interview process like at Microsoft? // A: The interview process typically consists of a phone screen, one or two technical interviews, and a final interview with a hiring manager // Q: What kind of coding questions are asked in Microsoft interviews? // A: Generally, coding questions test data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving abilities Microsoft Interview Process

Recruiter Connect Maintaining a good LinkedIn profile is highly recommended to get noticed by Microsoft recruiters. Additionally, candidates should connect with existing Microsoft employees to obtain referrals for job positions. Candidates can also apply on the job portal to increase their chances of getting hired.

Interview Rounds The interview process typically begins with an initial screening interview that focuses on data structures and algorithms. The later interview rounds are more technical and include assessments of the candidate's data structures, algorithms, and system design skills.

After Interviews After the interviews have been conducted, the candidate's performance is assessed based on their past interviews, and a verdict is given. All interviewers have a meeting to discuss and debate the ratings of the candidates with the hiring manager.

Hired Once a team and the candidate both agree that the candidate is a good fit for the position, an offer letter is prepared and shared with the candidate by the recruiters, and they are officially hired.

Interview Rounds Screening Interview (One Round) This is a telephonic interview focusing on determining whether or not a candidate is a good fit for Microsoft. It might even be a coding test instead of an interview and can last between 30 to 45 minutes, with a focus on 2-3 data structure and algorithm problems.

On-site Interviews (4-5 Rounds) A series of interviews are conducted, beginning with data structure and algorithm-based rounds while later looking at system design rounds. Microsoft tends to ask questions mostly related to array, strings, and linked lists topics, so candidates are advised to adequately prepare on these topics. The goal is to find the optimized solution. Design rounds evaluate the candidate's ability to design complex systems such as Gmail, Uber, and YouTube.

Code:

//example code in C#

//Declare variable to hold the candidate's performance ratings.
double score = 0.0;

//Loop through the interview rounds and update the score based on candidate performance.
for(int i = 1; i <= 5 ; i++)
{
    switch(i)
    {
        //Screening Interview
        case 1:
            //Assess the candidate's data structure and algorithm skills.
            Console.WriteLine("Assessing candidate's data structure and algorithm skills.");
            //Update the score based on the candidate's performance.
            score += 0.2;
            break;
        //System Design Rounds
        default:
            //Assess the candidate's ability to solve complex problems.
            Console.WriteLine("Evaluating the candidate's system design skills.");
            //Update the score based on the candidate's performance.
            score += 0.4;
            break;
    }
}
//Evaluate the overall performance.
if(score >= 0.5)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Candidate passed the Microsoft interview process!");
}
else
{
    Console.WriteLine("Candidate did not pass the Microsoft interview process.");
}

Microsoft Coding Questions

Below are ten coding problems to be solved:

1. Majority Element: Given an array of size n, find the majority element. The majority element is the element that appears more than half the time.
2. Distribute Candy: There are N children standing in a line. Each child is assigned a rating value. You are giving candies to these children subjected to the following requirement: each child must have at least one candy and children with a higher rating get more candies than their neighbors. What is the minimum candies you must give?
3. Longest Increasing Subsequence: Find the longest increasing subsequence of a given array of integers, A.
4. Max Rectangle in Binary Matrix: Given a 2D binary matrix filled with 0’s and 1’s, find the largest rectangle containing all ones and return its area.
5. Max Product Subarray: Find the contiguous subarray within an array which has the largest product.
6. Regular Expression Match: Implement wildcard pattern matching with support for ‘?’ and ‘*’ for strings A and B.
7. Edit Distance: Given two strings A and B, find the minimum number of steps required to convert A to B.
8. Regular Expression II: Implement regular expression matching with support for '.' and '*'. '.' Matches any single character. '*' Matches zero or more of the preceding element.
9. Swap List Nodes in Pairs: Given a linked list, swap every two adjacent nodes and return its head.
10. Reorder List: Given a singly linked list L: L0 → L1 → … → Ln-1 → Ln, reorder it to: L0 → Ln → L1 → Ln-1 → L2 → Ln-2 → … You must reorder the list in-place.

Solve them now!

Tips for Microsoft Interview Preparation

Here are some tips for preparing yourself for a Microsoft interview:

• Gauge Your Plans: Microsoft is a large and diverse company that deals with multiple technologies. It is crucial for candidates to understand the entirety of the company’s business and figure out where they fit and see themselves going forward. Knowing how things work on the inside can help you come up with the right answers during the interview.
• Focus on Specifics: From explaining how you solved particular problems in your previous projects to answering how you manage to work in a team, being specific about your experiences gives the interviewers an insight into your persona and helps them determine if you are likely to be a good fit.
• Know Beyond Microsoft: While it is a good idea to know what is happening within Microsoft, it is equally important to keep yourself informed about what is going on in the larger tech scene, such as having a good understanding of newer areas with potential or even existing competitors. This can give you an edge when you have to answer questions about what you aspire to do inside the company.

It is essential to prepare yourself well to increase your chances of succeeding in a Microsoft interview.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many rounds are there in a Microsoft interview?
A Microsoft interview consists of 5 rounds which includes one screening round and 4-5 onsite interviews. For more information, please visit the Microsoft job application website.

How can I prepare for a Microsoft Interview?
To prepare for a Microsoft Interview, follow these tips:

• Keep your resume concise and limited to one page highlighting only the most relevant information
• Be honest about your skills and experience; avoid making up anything during the interview
• Discuss the intricacies of your project
• Visit Microsoft's student recruitment website if you are a graduate
• Maintain your LinkedIn, Github, and other profiles

What should I expect at a Microsoft Interview?

The Microsoft interview process includes the following:

• A phone call from an HR recruiter to determine if you qualify
• A phone screen or online test
• Onsite interviews which may include behavioral, technical, and system design questions
• An interview with a Microsoft executive
• Questions to gauge your confidence, communication skills, and teamwork

Is the Microsoft Software Engineer interview hard?
No, it is not that difficult. Microsoft seeks skilled software engineers who have a solid foundation in software engineering basics, including data structures, object-oriented, algorithms, problem-solving, and so on. Expect questions about your previous experience along with design questions for senior-level positions.

How long is the Microsoft Interview Process?
The entire Microsoft interview process for a software engineer position is between 1-2 months.

How do I apply for a job at Microsoft?

• Visit the Microsoft Careers website, create a profile and apply to open positions
• Apply to multiple positions if desired
• Request to participate in the employee referral program via a corporate contact

Why do you want to join Microsoft?
I want to work for Microsoft for three reasons:

• I see it as a long-term career opportunity
• I can be myself while working with honest co-workers and managers
• Microsoft produces incredible technology that has a positive impact on people’s lives

What are the benefits of working at Microsoft?
Benefits of working at Microsoft include:

• Employee Resource Groups, allowing you to form your own social and networking groups
• Flexible work schedules and vacations to balance work and life priorities
• Opportunities to broaden your knowledge, stay current and gain new skills
• World-class health care and well-being benefits for you and your family
• Various additional programs such as tuition assistance, fitness, child care, and stock purchase