Process
I had a phone interview a couple weeks after applying. After that, a week or two later, I proceeded to the virtual on-site interview.
This final interview day included a mash-up of behavioral and technical (coding) questions.
Questions
Technical questions were standard, requiring data structures and algorithms knowledge to code or pseudocode an efficient solution to a question that different interviewers gave.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 999 interview experiences for the Microsoft Software Engineer role in United States.
Success Rate
25%
Pass Rate
Microsoft's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in the United States is very selective, failing most engineers who go through it.
Experience Rating
Positive64%
Neutral26%
Negative11%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Microsoft's Software Engineer interview process in United States.
Microsoft Work Experiences
3.0
Pays well if you like having no life outside work
Software Engineer • Former Employee
Redmond, Washington, United States
April 23, 2009
Pros: The pay is one of the highest in the software industry. You work with a lot of very smart people. There is a fairly high level of autonomy in most positions. You are expected to get your work done on time and with a minimum of hand-holding.
Cons: Work/life balance is almost non-existent. You are encouraged to come in early and stay late whenever possible. During "crunch time," it's more of a mandate than an encouragement. Political ties make more difference in promotions than actual work performance. If you are a successful SDE, you will most likely be moved up the manager track (since many successful SDEs have good leadership qualities that many current managers lack).
4.0
Good place to work and great WLB
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
December 2, 2023
Pros: Pay is great. A lot of people complain about it being peanuts compared to competitors, but it's a lot better than what I had before, especially since they still offer remote positions.
Cons: There are not a lot of opportunities to know people outside of work. Also, it can be chaotic at times if you’re in Azure.
2.0
Good Balance, Scary Layoffs
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Hyderābād, Telangana, India
July 6, 2025
Pros: They have a good work-life balance.
Cons: Nothing much. The layoffs are really scary.
- 3.0Pays well if you like having no life outside workSoftware Engineer • Former EmployeeRedmond, Washington, United StatesApril 23, 2009Pros: The pay is one of the highest in the software industry. You work with a lot of very smart people. There is a fairly high level of autonomy in most positions. You are expected to get your work done on time and with a minimum of hand-holding.Cons: Work/life balance is almost non-existent. You are encouraged to come in early and stay late whenever possible. During "crunch time," it's more of a mandate than an encouragement. Political ties make more difference in promotions than actual work performance. If you are a successful SDE, you will most likely be moved up the manager track (since many successful SDEs have good leadership qualities that many current managers lack).
- 4.0Good place to work and great WLBSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeAtlanta, Georgia, United StatesDecember 2, 2023Pros: Pay is great. A lot of people complain about it being peanuts compared to competitors, but it's a lot better than what I had before, especially since they still offer remote positions.Cons: There are not a lot of opportunities to know people outside of work. Also, it can be chaotic at times if you’re in Azure.
- 2.0Good Balance, Scary LayoffsSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeHyderābād, Telangana, IndiaJuly 6, 2025Pros: They have a good work-life balance.Cons: Nothing much. The layoffs are really scary.
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