Got the offerSDE2 (L61) at Microsoft
- Difficulty
- Process took
- 2-3 Weeks
- Rounds
- 4
- Format
- Remote
- Applied via
- Company Website
How it went
Two days later, I received a rejection email. At the end of the day, it is not just about the result, it is about how much you learn and grow from the process
What they would tell you
Two days later, I received a rejection email. At the end of the day, it is not just about the result, it is about how much you learn and grow from the process
How to prepare
Prepare to answer why Microsoft, career goals, and personal qualities, using STAR-based stories
Their background
Current Company: a startup
Round by round
- 1
Technical Coding Round 160 min
I do not remember the exact problem but LRU cache i used to solve that question
- 2
Technical Coding Round 260 min
Started with introductions and project-related questions, and a problem where I designed the cache with hashmaps and linked lists Followed by a graph question, i explained my approach and wrote code, though not fully optimized Interviewer mentioned that pseudo code is acceptable, but I completed the implementation. Outcome: Interviewer seemed satisfied with my approach and reasoning.
- 3
System Design Round60 min
Interviewer (9+YOE) Introductions and project discussion first Problem: Design an online Chess Game i clarified with the interviewer whether they wanted HLD diagrams or LLD code, he said start with LLD,I wrote a working LLD implementation
- 4
AA Round60 min
Interviewer was a senior Manager Discussions included: Introduction and project discussion from my current company Java multithreading question: Implement a producer-consumer problem AI/ML-related questions: I gave generic answers due to limited familiarity Behavioral questions: Why Microsoft? What are 5 qualities of a good employee? Outcome: Round was okay, but not perfect. However, my first 3 rounds were strong, which helped overall.
What came up
A candidate-reported account, lightly edited. Interview processes change by team and date.