Process
I was referred by a former colleague who had a great experience at Microsoft. The interview kicked off with a technical phone screen, where I faced some tough DSA questions, including reversing a linked list and finding the kth largest element in an array. During the onsite, we tackled a system design question about creating a scalable URL shortener. Midway through the coding round, it hit me that I had just practiced a very similar problem on prachub.com days earlier, which gave me a much-needed boost. Ultimately, I didn't receive an offer, but it was a valuable experience.
Questions
- Reverse a linked list in place.
- Find the kth largest element in an unsorted array.
- Design a scalable URL shortener like bit.ly.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 2,095 interview experiences for the Microsoft Software Engineer role.
Success Rate
Microsoft's interview process for their Software Engineer roles is very selective, failing most engineers who go through it.
Experience Rating
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Microsoft's Software Engineer interview process.
Microsoft Work Experiences
- 4.0Will Microsoft survive in the future?Software Engineer • Current EmployeeRedmond, Washington, United StatesJune 13, 2008Pros: Career opportunities, benefits, and a nice working environment.Cons: The company's future is slightly endangered. I am not sure its development directions are solid and clearly defined. The company tries to be innovative, but it seems the products have reached their evolutionary limits. While most software application domains are occupied by strong competitors, Microsoft may meet its dead-end as it discovers that there is all (or almost all) have had invented. More or less.
- 5.0Good Culture, Heavy WorkloadSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeDehradun, Uttarakhand, IndiaDecember 6, 2020Pros: Work culture is good here.Cons: Sometimes a heavy workload there.
- 1.0Microsoft is not as good as it was years agoSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeSeattle, Washington, United StatesAugust 1, 2025Pros: Some of the team members are good and helpful.Cons: Peanuts as compensation Toxic management Deadline is set from the top and you have no say Managers don't understand the technical complications Layoffs every month Pip/gvsa No wlb
Microsoft Interview Questions
