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Microsoft interviews FAQs
Manager, Software Engineering applicants have rated the interview process at Microsoft with 3.3 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 75% positive. To compare, the company-average is 66.4% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Manager, Software Engineering roles take an average of 26 days to get hired, when considering 8 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at Microsoft overall takes an average of 30 days.
Common stages of the interview process at Microsoft as a Manager, Software Engineering according to 8 Glassdoor interviews include:
Phone interview: 29%
One on one interview: 24%
Drug test: 12%
Presentation: 12%
Personality test: 6%
Group panel interview: 6%
Skills test: 6%
IQ intelligence test: 6%
Here are the most commonly searched roles for interview reports -
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Microsoft (Cambridge, MA) in Mar 2022
Interview
First round of interview was with a Manager at Microsoft.
The interview via Zoom lasted about one hour and focused on behavioral and design questions.
Friendly interviewer, which made the dialog easier.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe a situation where the team had difficulty reaching consensus on a design issue.
I applied online. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Microsoft in Jan 2025
Interview
1st round with HM - focussed more on past work experiences.
After that full loop 4 rounds with team - Coding, Design, Behavioral, People management.
I was interviewing for security role, so most design questions were focussed on security concepts - data protection, encryption algorithms etc
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Explain RSA key encryption and secure boot signature verification
Excellent interview process, I was treated respectfully and nicely. There was a technical interview, a design interview, an HR interview and a management interview. All were good and went well. I would really like to work there
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Microsoft (Cambridge, MA) in Mar 2022
Interview
First round after the recruiter. Virtual interview via Teams.
Interviewer was quite easy to talk with and created a smooth "environment".
Interviewer answered in details all questions I asked. We had a good exchange comparing my experience with the environment at Microsoft Cambridge.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How to achieve consensus when engineers don't agree on a design solution ?
Several technical questions about the projects described on my resume.