I applied through a recruiter. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Microsoft (Fargo, ND) in Nov 2010
Interview
Hiring process started with a phone screen that lasted for 45 -60 minutes. Phone screen was more focused on my background , OOPs and C++ coding and design fundamentals. 2 days after my phone screen I was offered an invitation to visit Fargo for an in person interview. After 10 days, I was flying for all paid trip to Fargo. My in person interview started with my meeting with HR at 9:30 and ended at 5:00 in the evening. In total, I had 6+ interviews. I was tested on my basic computer science fundamentals - algorithms, software design and test. Some of the questions asked were:
1. Given a function to read in the file, write a function to find the number of matches that you find in the file for a given key.
2. Reverse an int, write test cases
3. Shuffle a deck of card given a random generator which generates numbers with equally likely probability. How will you test that Random generator is Random and is generating numbers with equal probability
4.Exception handling and testing scenarios.
5 Find Error in the given code.
6. write a function that takes in a word and returns number of annagrams in a given file. Also print all annagrams for a given key.
7. Test a given class, polymorphism concepts, virtual functions and class design.
I applied through college or university. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Microsoft in Nov 2010
Interview
Talked about some work I have done for a different employer. Then he asked me to reverse a list. After that was complete we discussed more about other projects I have worked on. This was a first round interview and I was nervous but it was relatively straightforward.
I applied through college or university. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Microsoft (Redmond, WA) in Nov 2009
Interview
They focus on problem solving skills. Ask open ended questions and expect u to scope down the problem and solve it. Speak out loud, your thinking processing is important even.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Print a tree one row at a time, zigzag the direction of printing the row as u go down the tree.