Microsoft | SDE-1 (L60) | Hyderabad, India | Nov 2021 [Offer]
Summary
I successfully secured an SDE-1 offer from Microsoft after a rigorous interview process involving multiple coding rounds and a behavioral/hiring manager discussion, following a referral application.
Full Experience
I applied for an SWE role at Microsoft through a referral. After numerous previous attempts ending in direct rejections, I was incredibly excited to receive a call from HR for an online test!
The first round was an online coding test with two questions in 90 minutes. One involved strings (a brute-force solution was accepted), and the other was a trickier graph-based DFS problem. I managed to complete both, which I'd rate as medium-hard difficulty.
A day later, I learned I cleared the coding round and moved to onsite interviews. My second round was a 45-minute coding session. I initially struggled with a medium-level question, but with a hint from the interviewer, I developed and coded a solution. We also discussed testing and code quality. The interviewer was quite impressed with my interactive approach.
The third round, lasting 60 minutes, involved three medium-hard coding questions. I was first given a problem and then a variation of it; I successfully approached and coded solutions for both, even presenting an unexpected approach that impressed the interviewer. With time remaining, I received another question. I found the approach but faced some debugging issues. The interviewer hinted at what I was missing, and I was able to debug and provide a working code, extending the round by 10 minutes. The interviewer's encouragement further boosted my confidence.
With positive results from both coding rounds, I advanced directly to the AA (As Appropriate) / Hiring Manager round. This round, held a week later, focused entirely on my projects, the challenges I faced, and a key behavioral question: Why Microsoft? I was able to answer all questions confidently.
The next day, I received the news of my selection – a dream come true! I shouted with joy. The offer letter arrived two weeks later, slightly delayed by the holiday season, but it was absolutely worth the wait.
Interview Questions (1)
Explain your motivations and reasons for wanting to join Microsoft, discussing what specifically attracts you to the company and this role.
Preparation Tips
Based on my experience, here are some tips for preparation:
- Consistent Coding: Solve coding questions consistently from any platform you're comfortable with. It's easy to lose touch after placements, but it takes time to get back into coding. Don't start just 3-4 months before interviews; consistent practice is key.
- Hiring Manager Rounds: Never take HM rounds lightly. Dedicate specific time to prepare for them, crafting and practicing answers in advance, perhaps in front of a mirror or with someone.
- Confidence: Answer everything with confidence.
- Comprehensive DS-Algo: I was asked questions on various topics like DP, greedy, linked lists, graphs, arrays, and strings. While I don't remember the exact questions, ensure you cover all major data structures and algorithms.
- Personalized Practice: Be comfortable solving coding questions in a way that suits you. I didn't participate in coding contests, but if you enjoy them, that's a valid approach. The main goal is ample practice with DS-Algo problems.
- Learn from Rejections: I faced many rejections from companies like Amazon, Sharechat, Goldman Sachs, Supr Daily (Swiggy), Paypal, and other startups. I learned from each one and applied those lessons to subsequent interviews, which ultimately led to my success.
Remember, one offer is all you need. All things will fall into place at the right time! Till then, keep hustling :)