I recently participated in the recruitment process for a Software Engineer position at Microsoft's Engineering Division, managed by recruiter Joseph Bailey.
Initial Communication: The initial communication was quick. I received an email asking me to select a time slot for an interview through a provided link, which I did without any issues.
Interview Process: After completing a brief interview and a coding challenge that was sent to me, the communication became unsatisfactory. Despite sending an email asking for feedback a week after completing the challenge, I received no response, not even an acknowledgment receipt.
Areas for Improvement: I suggest improving response times after interviews and technical challenges. Even an automated response informing candidates about the estimated waiting time for feedback would be very helpful and appreciated.
Conclusion: Although the initial promptness was promising, the lack of subsequent communication has been disappointing. Clarity and consistency in communication are crucial for keeping candidates informed and respected throughout the selection process.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Array Verification Problem.
Binary Reduction Problem
I applied online. I interviewed at Microsoft (Melbourne)
Interview
After submitting an online application, I received a HackerRank assessment after passing the resume screening stage, then I was rejected after completing the assessment and did not proceed to further interview rounds.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
The assessment consisted of two LeetCode-medium-level coding questions to be completed within 75 minutes.
45 mins technical interview with a member of their San fran team. Very relaxed and informal but questions were focused and lots of follow ups. Easy to schedule as was over video conferencing platform
Straightforward technical loop overall, with strong interviewers at every stage. I genuinely enjoyed the in-depth conversations around technical challenges and algorithmic problem-solving — the entire process felt well-structured and genuinely engaging.