I applied online through Microsoft's careers site and received a response from a recruiter about two weeks later. The whole process took about a month.

First was a 30-minute phone screen with the recruiter, covering basic background questions and why I wanted to join Microsoft. After that, I had a virtual interview with the hiring manager, which included a mix of behavioral and situational questions. He asked how I handle ambiguity and work with cross-functional teams. The vibe was pretty friendly.

Then came the onsite loop (though it was all virtual due to hybrid policies). I had four interviews back-to-back with a product manager, a developer, someone from the design team, and a cross-functional partner from another organization. Everyone asked behavioral and problem-solving questions.

One interview involved a product case where I had to design a feature for Microsoft Teams targeting university students in Japan. Another was more technical, asking how I'd approach building an internal dashboard and the kind of data and stakeholders involved.

Interviewers were sharp but respectful. They gave me time to think through questions and didn't interrupt. One even offered some feedback at the end, which was helpful.

Overall, the process was tough but fair. I definitely recommend brushing up on the STAR method and being ready to explain how you make decisions and deal with different stakeholders. They emphasize communication, collaboration, and demonstrating impact. Knowing Microsoft's values—especially growth mindset—really helps.

I would interview again, but hopefully won't need to for a while!