I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Microsoft in May 2012
Interview
I wrote directly to a recruiter, he replied back the same day and he organized a phone interview in 3 days. Phone interview took 45 minutes and consisted of simple questions about C++, multi-threaded development, algorithms and a coding task. I got result the same day that MS is ready for on-site interview with me.
On-site interview consisted for 5 interviews, 4 technical and 1 with HR. All interviews took 45 minutes and consisted about general questions and doing some code (first 3) or design (last 1) tasks.
If you really want a job at Microsoft, I would recommend you to do some interviews in other companies first, the interview is not hard but you should be prepared. Also I really recommend to sleep well before the interview and to make sure you can talk in details about your prior experience written in CV even if it is about your major in University and a job you had 10 years ago.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What subjects did you like most in University and why?
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Microsoft (Redmond, WA) in Jun 2012
Interview
I first did a phone interview and answered a few basic computer science questions. During the on-site interview, I had around 6 hours of interviews (1 hour interviews per person) throughout the day, including a lunch interview. The "loop" usually gets cut after lunch if you don't make the cut. Fortunately I went the whole day. At the end of the day you usually sit down with someone higher than the hiring manager and discuss non-technical topics so they get a feel for you as a candidate and your potential non-technical contributions to the team.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
You have two linked lists that merge at some node. The lists could be billions of nodes long. Find the node where the lists merge in the most optimal time while using a low amount of memory.
The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Microsoft (Seattle, WA) in Apr 2012
Interview
I had one phone interview and after had interview in office.
On phone i described my experience and got one simple technical question. And I was answered on it.
After 1 week I got offer for interview. I had two 1 on 1 talk. And total 3 questions in it. I was answered on 2 questions.
Interview questions [4]
Question 1
Question from phone interview. How to make queue using stack-container?