What does Microsoft (and Janelle) look for during an interview?
Hello readers! I am writing this blog post from the center of the universe, New York City! I’m on a 3 week long recruiting trip (so I’m tired and full of room service food), and thus far it’s been great. I’m meeting a lot of great candidates who hopefully can come join our team. I figured for the next few posts while I am on the road I would share some interview tips. Be on the lookout. As I interview candidates, it will give me inspiration.
One of the main questions I have been asked this week is “What does Microsoft look during an interview?”--- so that was something I thought I would answer. (Maybe my next interview candidates will read this first and I won’t have to answer it again :)).
I don’t think there is a specific profile of what a Microsoft employee looks like … it’s a combination of things. Here is a list of some things that I look for in candidates while they are interviewing.
1. Be Confident: You are smart; you have experience—so show it.
2. Have Good Problem Solving Skills: Many of the questions I ask are open ended --- for instance, in an interview someone may ask you to design a cell phone for a 5 year old. This question is meant to get you thinking---ask questions to the person who asked it. Clarify. We want to see how you think. There is no right answer. Relate these questions back to the software lifecycle (ie researching, design, testing and implementation). Keep talking for as long as you can. I like to see people who are really thinking and can get down to some fine details even I hadn’t thought of.
3. Know Your Resume Front to Back: Interviewers base most of the questions on things listed on your resume. If you have 20 different programming languages listed and you claim you are advanced in all, then be ready to answer a question on it. If you aren’t that confident, or if you’ve only HEARD of a language and never worked in it, then list it that way or keep it off.
4. Be Honest: If you are unclear of what I am asking, then follow up. If you are asked to code a problem in C++ and you only know Java, then let me know. I am fine with your coding in Java. I am trying to determine where your skill set lies, and to do that I need to see your best work.
5. Have Some Questions For Me: Even though I have been talking for 10 hours straight, have a question ready for me when I ask at the end, “Do you have any questions?” Questions show that you are listening and taking it all in. Maybe you thought about something to ask the night before, or maybe you came up with something on the spot. In an interview I talk about a lot of things, so I know I would have questions for me. :)
6. Enjoy Yourself: Show me your personality … it’s okay to laugh, smile, breathe. I’m trying to get to know you and see if I can find a mutually beneficial situation that would work best for both you and Microsoft. You don’t have to be so serious.
That’s all from the Big Apple. If you have any more specific questions you’d like answered about the interview process, let me know. In the post I will go more in depth about problem solving questions, such as what is the difference between a good answer and a GREAT answer!
-Janelle
PS-: I will be on the East Coast for a few more weeks—so if you see someone who looks out of place on your college campus carrying Microsoft products, be sure to wave :)
12 Comments
said:
#5 always gets me... by the end when they ask "Do you have any questions for me?" I tend to say no unless the topics we discussed never came near one of my questions... I tend to ask my questions when they best fit in during the back and forth then rather than wait until the end and risk forgetting some detail.
Afterwards I end up hoping that they recognized the many earlier ones rather than noticing the empty space towards the end.
Windows Vista News said:
There is an interesting post over at blogs.msdn.com
Leo said:
Hi, Janelle. This article just came on the right time for me!
I submitted my resume to a Microsoft college recruiter on a campus job fair a few weeks ago, and just got an Email for a phone interview yesterday. According to this Email the interview will be around 30 minutes long and questions will be "general problem solving, algorithms, and coding questions". So do you know generally what kind of questions would be asked in such interview, especially for coding? And if I pass this first interview, will I get another tech phone interview, or be asked to fly to Redmond?
Thanks a lot!
Thanks a lot!
said:
For us techies the questions are different but the same rules apply. Especially having your own questions. Helps them undestand sometimes on a non-technical level. What WE are curious about, what is driving us.
And of course you should probably remember at one point you might end up talking to your future boss, so for us tech support bunch, showing your professionalism is probably important. (Learned THAT one the hard way!)
said:
I should mention I don't work for them (yet, yet yet!)
That last post looked kinda like I did. Sorry Microsoft!
Al Pascual said:
Something I notice with the Microsoft interviews that I didn't notice anywhere else was that nobody was actually excited in talking to me. Sounds weird, but in other companies they really glad and happy to see if you are a good candidate and they did some homework about you. Microsoft is different, if you feel they are not excited about giving you a job, why would you accept an offer to work in a place that may do not really want YOU. Makes sense?
Anybody felt the same way during their interview or was just me ;-)
Cheers
Al
said:
I've had a couple of screenings and at least two tech interviews.
For me I've found email was that "nice surprise in the mailbox" from Microsoft. (1st)
Screenings were all from very excited people. (2nd)
My technicals, I think the excitement shows up if you are both on the same wavelength personally and technically. But on the other side I have remember professionalism. I'm not sure for the developers if the "technical interview" is the same atmosphere. (3rd)
Haven't had the holy Redmond interview yet. (yet yet yet yet)
said:
I am really in love with this company.
Wishing someday that I could join...
It's the inspiration i'm seeking
said:
Let me tell you this much. I've met some of them up here in Canada. If they are even 1% of the type of mentality at Microsoft? Just meeting them had me inspired!
It didn't seem to be what they said but they overall attitude of the team. Even the MVP's (non MS guys who are field experts). Encountering that bunch was one of the most inspiring moments ever!
It may seem a small thing, but that inspiration sparked a small creative spark laying dormant causing me to write. Write something, write anyhing, get involved, talk in the blogs. Be myself. Make mistakes! It made me want to do even more with myself.
But they ARE an inspiring bunch, and nothing at all like they are made out to be by Anti MS people.
So if that is any indication of Microsoft as a company, yes I am sorry to say I am a very Greedy person. I want MORE of that.
Ok and the odd lunch with that "Bill" guy... B)
Cheers all
Karthik said:
I actually found someone on campus who was carrying Microsoft Office CDs. A pretty lady. I waved and she did not!
Thought it may not be you.
Great post anyway. Reading these increases my confidence.
All I wish for is to visit the Microsoft campus in Washington... for free!
R said:
I am suppose to come to Seattle next week for a Program Manager position. Are there any tips in particular that you can provide? What kind of coding questions are PM's asked???
Microsoft's JobsBlog said:
Greetings from New Jersey! The Recruiting Road Show has started its second week. If you are curious last