My interview began at 9 AM at the Microsoft NERD Center in Cambridge, MA. I had three interviews scheduled before the lunch break and three interviews after.

All the interviews were standard – straightforward whiteboard coding or brainteasers. Many of my interviews ran over time, with one running 45 minutes over. I ended up not having time for lunch at all. My previous interview had run over, and only half an hour had been scheduled, so I had 15 minutes to purchase lunch in the lobby and run back upstairs to make the next interview.

I would advise other candidates to bring their own lunches. The cafe was extremely crowded and it took me the entire 15 minutes to get food and pay.

I didn't have a complete schedule for the day, so I was unable to give the name of my next interviewer to the receptionist and ended up waiting in the lobby until my interviewer eventually came out to investigate.

Since my interviews had run over time, my day was extended by an hour. I completed the final coding interview after my meeting with the hiring manager, which was supposed to be the end of the day.

I would encourage other candidates to brush up on their basic coding skills (string manipulation, etc.) and brainteasers, as the interviews were not design-heavy. I would also encourage candidates to get a copy of their schedules in advance in case things go awry, as security is very tight in the building. If I were to interview again, I would also bring snacks just in case.

I was asked some brainteasers, taken nearly word-for-word from "How Would You Move Mount Fuji?", which I found surprising.