Process
The process was a recruiter screening, followed by a live coding interview and then a hiring event day. The recruiter was helpful. The coding interviewer asked questions about my technical background, which I was not expecting. He was not helpful during the coding problem.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 133 interview experiences for the Microsoft Software Engineer II role.
Success Rate
36%
Pass Rate
Microsoft's interview process for their Software Engineer II roles is fairly selective, failing a large portion of engineers who go through it.
Experience Rating
Positive57%
Neutral20%
Negative23%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Microsoft's Software Engineer II interview process.
Microsoft Work Experiences
5.0
Opportunities are here if you look for them
Software Engineer II • Current Employee
Redmond, Washington, United States
August 16, 2016
Pros: Having changed two teams, I've found a team that:
* has a lot of freedom in product decisions
* allows us to choose what technology we are allowed to use
* has a generally accepting culture, where people genuinely try to be less biased
* offers good benefits
Cons: - Slow decision-making process. Not all decisions should go through PMs and management; let us move faster than the slowest PM.
- Lack of mentorship. Having looked for a few years, I have not been able to find a mentor.
5.0
Great job if you want to work at Microsoft
Software Engineer II • Former Employee
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
July 25, 2023
Pros: Great benefits, flexible work, a strong professional company culture that embraces change, and great peers.
Cons: Your goals are secondary to the needs of the company, and you may be asked to give more of your life to your work than you would like.
3.0
Good Stocks, Peanuts Pay
Software Engineer II • Current Employee
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
October 28, 2025
Pros: MSFT stocks are great to have.
Cons: Pay is peanuts.
Corporate malpractice in abundance.
Innovation has stagnated.
Unreasonable expectations.
Poor protocols and even poor enforcement.
- 5.0Opportunities are here if you look for themSoftware Engineer II • Current EmployeeRedmond, Washington, United StatesAugust 16, 2016Pros: Having changed two teams, I've found a team that: * has a lot of freedom in product decisions * allows us to choose what technology we are allowed to use * has a generally accepting culture, where people genuinely try to be less biased * offers good benefitsCons: - Slow decision-making process. Not all decisions should go through PMs and management; let us move faster than the slowest PM. - Lack of mentorship. Having looked for a few years, I have not been able to find a mentor.
- 5.0Great job if you want to work at MicrosoftSoftware Engineer II • Former EmployeeCambridge, Massachusetts, United StatesJuly 25, 2023Pros: Great benefits, flexible work, a strong professional company culture that embraces change, and great peers.Cons: Your goals are secondary to the needs of the company, and you may be asked to give more of your life to your work than you would like.
- 3.0Good Stocks, Peanuts PaySoftware Engineer II • Current EmployeeBengaluru, Karnataka, IndiaOctober 28, 2025Pros: MSFT stocks are great to have.Cons: Pay is peanuts. Corporate malpractice in abundance. Innovation has stagnated. Unreasonable expectations. Poor protocols and even poor enforcement.
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