I applied through a recruiter. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Microsoft
Interview
1) initial call with recruiter
2) phone screen with a Cloud Solution Architect
3) In person 3 interviews, consisting of 2 presentations and a manager discussion
4) discussion with second recruiter
5) discussion with hiring manager and second Cloud Solution Architect
6) discussion with second recruiter again
7) offer
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Asked about Vnets, VMs, IaaS, ports, how to move customers to new solutions and new operating models,
I applied online. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Microsoft in Aug 2018
Interview
I went through two rounds of interviews (10 different interviewers total) for the same role. I passed both and was never given an offer. Instead I was placed on a virtual bench waiting for an opening. In the meantime they are still interviewing for the same role. To me this is a dishonest process. Microsoft needs to stop wasting people's time. The people I spoke to were very nice and helpful but the process needs to change. I always wanted to work for Microsoft but now after having experienced this I am no longer interested. They are clearly missing out on good talent because I know at least 3 more people that have had the same experience with this process. And then I see posts on LinkedIn about people that are hired that cannot even articulate a sentence in English properly!
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How do you centrally manage on a number of related/grouped VM's?
15 years ago, I was an undergrad at the top 10% of my class at a top 5 American CS school. The campus recruiter wouldn't give me the opportunity to interview for a SDE job. Instead I was delegated to either applying for QA in Test or Design while others had opportunities for dream roles. 15 years later, I applied to a CSA job using an internal reference. The recruiters wouldn't give me a time in the day while the other two market leaders gave me interviews at a moments notice. As an "oriental," I found my experiences with MSFT very discriminatory, and if there is justice in this country, you will be sued.