I applied online. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Microsoft (Redmond, WA) in Jul 2010
Interview
Applied online, said I knew someone who worked there (true.) Lots of questions about why I had returned to Seattle after being gone many years. Was not asked the typical 'trick' Microsoft questions you find online. It seemed they really wanted experienced people who knew content (writing, grammar, etc) and throwing developer-type trick questions at interviewees was not the way to get a good hire. I showed several writing samples, etc. It was a positive experience, but I found another job before they offered me anything.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Why did I want to be a content editor, (more of an individual contributor) rather than a senior-level content manager?
The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Microsoft in Oct 2011
Interview
My resume was submitted through the job career site by an employee of Microsoft with her recommendation for the position. A phone interview was set up for a week later. When I was called the recruiter had reviewed my resume and already made up their mind that I would not be a fit for the position. The conversation was short and disappointing. I was not asked any work experience questions but was referred out to other companies to look at.
The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Microsoft (Washington, DC) in Sep 2011
Interview
Contacted by a recruiter and prompted to apply online for project manager-public sector position and schedule a phone interview. Interviewer was senior-level HR and was very straightforward and somewhat abrasive at times. Typical behavioral-type questions with the exception of a few unique questions; asking you to explain a fairly basic technical subject (e.g. the internet, databases) to someone like a "child" or "your grandmother" and asking you to describe yourself (strengths/weaknesses etc..) from the perspective of a prior employer or peer.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me what your previous supervisor from two jobs ago (e.g. not your most recent supervisor) would describe as your three greatest weaknesses and how would your most recent supervisor respond to that and describe your three greatest strengths.