We empower the world
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
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Our opportunity and responsibility
We’re living in an era in which technology has the potential to power awesome advancements across every sector of our economy and society. This places us at a historic intersection of opportunity and responsibility. Our mission has never been more important. To realize it, we must create a future that benefits everyone.
We believe that companies that can do more, should
We focus on four enduring commitments that are central to our mission, serving as a guide to ensure our actions align with our mission.
Expand opportunity
We expand economic opportunity and growth for all.
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Earn trust
We create a safe, secure, and responsible digital world.
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Protect fundamental rights
We support and advance people’s fundamental rights.
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Advance sustainability
We are committed to meeting our own climate goals while enabling others to do the same.
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Tag:Diversity
Acing a career in tech: Innovative program cuts through stereotypes
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Tag:Gaming
His own body weakened by a rare disease, a gamer adopts a stronger one – and leaves a legacy – within World of Warcraft
Tag:AI
How world-class athletes are turning to the power of AI and data
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Tag:Gaming
As real as it gets: Pilots lend their expertise to the most authentic flight sim on the market
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Tag:AI
AI agents — what they are, and how they’ll change the way we work
Work & Life
Learn how we’re helping people stay connected, engaged and productive — at work, at school, at home and at play.
Because impact matters
Life at Microsoft
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Benefits
Explore Microsoft’s world-class benefits designed to help you and your family live well.
Supporting and investing in our employees
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Make the most of life
At Microsoft, you’ll take risks, push boundaries, and grow more than you thought possible. And you won’t be alone on that journey. We have something special here; we put our employees at the center of everything we do, and we know that what we offer is essential not only to your work but to your life too.
In addition to world-class benefits designed to help you and your family live well, we offer competitive pay, bonuses and stock awards to eligible employees based on individual performance, as well as benefits to help you lead a healthy life, invest in your future, and enjoy your journey here at Microsoft. Empowering you. So, you can empower the world.
There may be some variances in specific benefits across regions.
Our commitment to pay equity
We are committed to the principle of pay equity – paying our employees equitably for substantially similar work.
To learn more about pay equity and our other commitments to increase representation and strengthen our culture of inclusion, check out our annual Diversity and Inclusion Report.
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Culture
We will only achieve our mission if we live our culture, which starts with applying a growth mindset.
Committed to our culture
Our cultural attributes
Growth mindset
Customer obsessed
Diverse and inclusive
One Microsoft
We fundamentally believe that we need a culture founded in a growth mindset. It starts with a belief that everyone can grow and develop; that potential is nurtured, not pre-determined; and that anyone can change their mindset.
We need to be always learning and insatiably curious. We need to be willing to lean into uncertainty, take risks and move quickly when we make mistakes, recognizing failure happens along the way to mastery. And we need to be open to the ideas of others, where the success of others does not diminish our own.
Making a difference
If we commit to being customer obsessed, becoming more diverse and inclusive, and operating as One Microsoft, we will achieve our mission to empower every person and organization on the planet. Beyond that, we will make a difference and find deep meaning in our work. We stand in awe of what humans dare to achieve and are motivated every day to empower others to do more and achieve more through our technology and innovation.
One Day, One Microsoft
Celebrate the hopes, challenges and dreams of the individuals that make up Microsoft, and the humanity and mission that unites us.
Our culture in action
Our culture leads us to find ways to help people do ordinary and sometimes extraordinary things.
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Inclusion is innovation
Together we’re sharpening our intention, activating insights, looking inward, and focusing our influence to drive this work, and our progress, forward.
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Empathy and innovation
Look inside Microsoft’s cultural shift and how it is leading to new product development
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What it means to really be seen
One employee uses the lessons he learned from his own journey becoming his authentic self to insist that others who feel invisible are seen and heard.
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Widening the spectrum
Through inclusive hiring practices, job candidates on the autism spectrum are empowered to let their talents shine.
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Diversity and inclusion
We are committed to celebrating the diversity around us and its power to drive us forward together.
We’re taking action
Leadership
We start with our senior-most leaders. Microsoft’s Board of Directors is one of the most diverse of any technology company today, with women and racial and ethnic minorities holding nine of our 12 positions.
Inclusive technology
At Microsoft, our diverse backgrounds are helping build better technology. We share stories of how our technological developments are changing our future and empowering us all.
Diversity and inclusion training
More than 98% of employees have completed required D&I learning courses on allyship, covering, privilege, and unconscious bias in the workplace. We've also made these publicly available as part of our efforts to share best practices with the industry.
Flexible working
Our flexible work arrangements, programs, and tools help us retain top talent and offer employees greater work life balance. These include access to extensive resources and referral services, and generous maternity and paternity leave policies.
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Flexible work
At Microsoft, we value flexibility as part of our hybrid workplace so that you can feel empowered to do your best work.
Our approach to hybrid workplace flexibility
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Work site
This is the physical place where you work. Work site information provided in a job posting indicates the expectations of working remotely or working on-site. The following information will be listed under the work site field in a job posting:
Up to 50% work from home
Up to 100% work from home
Microsoft on-site only
A job posting that lists 100% work from home can be applied for by anyone located within the listed country.
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Work location
This is the geographic location of your work. Each organization at Microsoft has guidelines related to location flexibility.
“Multiple locations” listed in a job posting means a job can be done from any or several locations within the country listed.
Please make sure to check the work site field to know the expectation of the physical place where you work.
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Work hours
This encompasses the hours and days when you work. We encourage employees to work the hours that are best for them and that allow them to deliver according to expectations.
Work schedules can vary depending on individual needs. You will not see any information around work schedule flexibility in a job posting. Your work hours can be discussed with your recruiter and/or hiring manager during the recruiting process.
No 'one size fits all'
The global pandemic has prompted a revolutionary shift in the way people work. There is truly no “one size fits all.” Microsoft employees share their experiences, what they’ve learned and what they will take with them into the hybrid workplace.
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How we’re embracing flexible workplace
Kathleen Hogan, Microsoft’s Chief People Officer, discusses what this pandemic has taught us and how Microsoft has changed because of it. This blog post covers the guidance our leaders put in place with the three hybrid flexible workplace dimensions in mind.
Our culture in action
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Strategies for onboarding in a hybrid world
With the shift to hybrid workplace, our onboarding strategy had to change. See what strategies we’ve developed to ensure onboarding is still an empowering and informative experience.
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To thrive in hybrid work, build a culture of trust and flexibility
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach: some employees cite work-life balance, focus time, and meetings as reasons to go into the office. Others see those as reasons to stay home.
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One Day, One Microsoft
Celebrate the hopes, challenges, and dreams of the individuals that make up Microsoft, and the humanity and mission that unites us.
Early in profession
Microsoft early in profession experience
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Because growth matters
Microsoft's Early in Profession experience is a launchpad for dreamers and doers. Here, every opportunity — whether you’re coming from school, a bootcamp, are self-taught, or transitioning careers — invites you to explore the frontiers of technology and leadership. We understand the importance of finding a position where your talents can shine, your interests can expand, and your passions can inspire those around you. As you embark on this journey, you'll discover not just a job, but a calling that aligns with your deepest aspirations and empowers you to leave a lasting impact on the world. Join us, and let your journey of transformation and impact begin.
Internship programs
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Global university internships
At Microsoft, our interns work on projects that matter – and your team will rely on your skills and insights to help deliver those projects to market. This is your chance to bring your solutions and ideas to life while working on cutting-edge technology. We offer internships in all job families and solution areas, and it’s open to current students in Bachelor’s, Master’s, MBA, PhD programs.
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Discovery program
The Discovery Program is a unique opportunity for students who are passionate about technology and want to make a positive impact on the world and society. This four-week internship is open to rising first-year students college students, based in Redmond, Washington or Atlanta, Georgia. Participants will work on a real project, learn from Microsoft employees and mentors, and explore different career paths in tech.
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Explore program
Explore Microsoft is a summer internship program specifically designed for first- and/or second-year college students. Gain experience in software development through a learning program where you get the opportunity to work in a pod alongside other Explore Interns.
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PhD, MBA, JD internships
If you're pursuing a PhD, MBA, or JD and want to explore what it's like to work at Microsoft, look no further. We host PhD, MBA, and JD interns throughout our teams. Our PhD, MBA, and JD interns are active, contributing members to our community. No matter what route you take, come work on meaningful, innovative projects that add to our company's success.
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Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (CELA) internships
The Microsoft Legal Intern Program is an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring legal professionals to cultivate their careers within one of the world's leading technology companies.
Resources to help you on your journey to Microsoft
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Learn tech skills through top universities
Explore modules and learning paths from universities like Carnegie Mellon University, University of Oxford, and UC Berkeley to prepare you for a career in cloud.
Learn more
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Diverse perspectives fuel innovation
Join a community that encourages everyone to bring their full and best selves to work each day.
Learn more
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Microsoft culture in action
Our culture leads us to find ways to help people do ordinary, and sometimes extraordinary, things.
Learn more
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Perks and benefits
Empowering our employees to be more than the work they do each day. At Microsoft, we work to ensure essential benefits are available globally.
Supporting and investing in our employees
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Make the most of life
At Microsoft, you’ll take risks, push boundaries, and grow more than you thought possible. And you won’t be alone on that journey. We have something special here; we put our employees at the center of everything we do, and we know that what we offer is essential not only to your work but to your life too.
In addition to world-class benefits designed to help you and your family live well, we offer competitive pay, bonuses and stock awards to eligible employees based on individual performance, as well as benefits to help you lead a healthy life, invest in your future, and enjoy your journey here at Microsoft. Empowering you. So, you can empower the world.
There may be some variances in specific benefits across regions.
Our commitment to pay equity
We are committed to the principle of pay equity – paying our employees equitably for substantially similar work.
To learn more about pay equity and our other commitments to increase representation and strengthen our culture of inclusion, check out our annual Diversity and Inclusion Report.
Early in Profession interview tips
Explore our tips and tricks to help you prepare for your interview. Many of our roles will have different interview objectives, so we have many resources to help you understand the process and prepare better.
Early in profession hiring tips
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Through our interview process, we aim to discover your base knowledge in the area of focus, evaluate critical thinking skills, assess how you solve problems and your ability to learn. You'll have an initial interview and, if selected, a second final interview. We aim to discover your strengths to pair you with the right team.
Our interview process varies depending on the role you're applying for. For some of our openings you may be asked to write code, share a creative portfolio or project, or provide examples of your work in other ways. Interview preparation and details are communicated to candidates when they are invited to interviews to help set you up for success.
Virtual interviews
All our interviews are virtual. To help you prepare, please see tips for virtual interviewing.
You can also find further recommendations for virtual interviewing from Kelsea, University Recruiting Account Manager and Chase, Programming Engineer when you watch this video.
Virtual Interview Day
1:1 meetings with Microsoft employees
A break is incorporated between interviews
Prepare for multiple types of questions, both behavioral and functional/technical, focused on your experience and skills that could translate to the role for which you are interviewing
Your recruiter can help you understand the specific timeline of when you can expect to hear back regarding the hiring decision.
Preparing for your interview
Watch the videos below to help you prepare for your interview. Many of our roles will have different interview objectives, so we have created role specific videos to help you understand the process and prepare better.
Photo of Microsoft employees Daisy and Ellen
Technical interview prep
Get tips, tricks, and the inside scoop on Microsoft technical interviews from Daisy, Software Engineer, and Ellen, University Recruiter.
David, Hardware Engineer, and Kritin, University Recruiter.
Hardware engineering prep
If you're preparing for a hardware engineering interview, discover some tips for putting your best foot forward with David, Hardware Engineer, and Kritin, University Recruiter.
Prateek, Data Scientist, and Amy, University Recruiter.
Data science prep
Check out key tips that will help you prepare for your data science interview with Prateek, Data Scientist, and Amy, University Recruiter.
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Business functions prep
Microsoft provides opportunities to empower you to create things that help others and change the world. Understand the Microsoft interview process for business functions roles and what to expect to prepare.
Life at Microsoft
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Benefits
Explore Microsoft’s world-class benefits designed to help you and your family live well.
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Culture
We will only achieve our mission if we live our culture, which starts with applying a growth mindset.
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Diversity and inclusion
We are committed to celebrating the diversity around us and its power to drive us forward together.
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Flexible work
At Microsoft, we value flexibility as part of our hybrid workplace so that you can feel empowered to do your best work.
How we hire
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Candidate Code of Conduct
We seek candidates who reflect and embrace our values of respect, integrity, and accountability throughout the process.
Honest representation: We expect candidates to represent themselves honestly at every stage of our recruitment process. This includes the information provided on resumes, applications, coding assessments, assignments, interviews, during the offer and pre-onboarding processes.
Responsible use of AI: We promote responsible and ethical use of AI. Candidates are encouraged to use AI tools to support and strengthen their candidacy during the preparation process, provided it is done ethically and reflects their true capabilities. During assessments and interviews, we trust and expect candidates to represent their skills without the aid of others, outside resources, or AI unless specifically instructed to do so.
Adherence to responsible AI principles: We adhere to principles of accountability, inclusiveness, reliability, safety, fairness, transparency, and privacy. We expect candidates to align with these principles in all interactions with our AI technologies.
Get tips to make your interview experience a success
Interview tips
Find guidance for pre-interview prep, as well as during and after interview updates.
Interview tips for all roles
If advancing in the process, the next interview steps vary based on the role you're applying for. Be prepared to demonstrate how you meet the qualifications of the job by sharing specific examples from your past or ideas about how you would accomplish a specific task. Be sure to share how skills you have gained throughout your career will translate to the role for which you are interviewing. For some of our openings you may be asked to write code, share a creative portfolio, or provide examples of your work in other ways. You’ll meet with a few people—some potential teammates and some cross-functional colleagues—for up to an hour each. The hiring team gets a chance to get to know you—and you get a chance to get to know the team. Post-interview, your recruiter can help you understand the specific timeline of when you can expect to hear back regarding the hiring decision.
Our interview process is currently entirely virtual. For more specific guidance, you can read how to prepare for a virtual interview.
Before your interview
Do your research
Don't stop at understanding the position you’re interviewing for. You should understand what's happening in the tech industry, what Microsoft is doing well, and how we can make ourselves stand out from the competition. Make sure to prepare questions to ask during your interview. This is also a chance for you to make sure that the opportunity is what you are looking for.
Know our competencies
The interviews will include competency-based questions, as well as questions about your resume. Keep the core competencies in mind. Think of examples you can share or incorporate into your conversation. These are our core competencies:
Collaboration. Communicating effectively within the team and across teams.
Drive for results. Working tenaciously to deliver on commitments, constantly seeking bigger challenges, holding yourself and others accountable.
Customer focus. Our mission at Microsoft is to empower every person and every organization to achieve more.
Influencing for impact. Successfully persuading and influencing others with effective communication.
Judgment. Effectively scoping complex problems and using business acumen to make knowledge-based decisions.
Adaptability. Ability to deal with ambiguous and uncertain situations or problems with agility.
Accelerate our culture
At Microsoft, we believe that living our culture is key to achieving our mission. Selecting people who have the right skills and mindset is important, not only for the company we are today, but also for the company we aspire to be.
Our growth-mindset culture is designed to drive innovation and collaboration. Being a learn-it-all instead of a know-it-all fosters curiosity and prompts us to be inclusive and seek new and diverse perspectives.
For our interview process, we focus on these key aspects of our culture:
Growth mindset. True learners who can acquire new skills rapidly and connect with others to help bring big ideas to life.
Diverse and inclusive. Being open to learning about your own biases and changing behaviors accordingly. Value differences, seek them out, and invite them in.
One Microsoft. Actively seeks collaboration with others and looks for common ground across differences, contributes to and builds on success of others, and prioritizes for customer and team within their role.
Customer obsession. The ability to learn about customers' perspectives, show empathy to their experiences, and incorporate these insights into their decisions and deliverables.
Values. When we come together, we treat each other with respect, we act with integrity, and we are accountable to one another for our words and actions.
Manager expectations. Our managers help bring our culture to life. As they model, coach, and care, they help reinforce our culture and create an environment where everyone can do their best work.
Envision your future
We encourage you to have a vision beyond the role you’re applying for. At Microsoft, you can build a career across a variety of teams and disciplines. Go to Microsoft Life to learn more about how Microsoft has helped employees make a difference in their lives, communities, and careers.
If needed, request accommodations. If you need any accommodations or are concerned about Microsoft Teams or other third-party virtual platform not being fully accessible for you, please submit an accessibility request. We will reach out to discuss how to best support you.
During your interview
Be yourself
We value authenticity and unique perspectives. We invite you to come as you are. So, you don’t need to dress up to impress us. Wear whatever makes you most comfortable.
Demonstrate your thinking and curiosity
We want to see not only what you know, but also how you think. Be prepared to share your thought process and explain the rationale behind your decisions. When asked to solve a problem or develop code, ask clarifying questions, state your assumptions, and be prepared to share your opinions or explain your choices.
Throughout the assessment process, we aspire to assess fundamental knowledge, capability, and learning potential. We don’t expect you to know everything. When you get stuck or don’t have experience with the subject matter, we encourage you to ask clarifying questions that show your integrity, collaboration, and ability to be resourceful.
Be specific
We recommend you use the STAR(R) model when answering questions. This will help you create clarity and structure your response.
Situation
Task
Action
Result
Reflection
After your interview
Ask for the interview timeline
At the end of the interview process, ask the hiring manager or recruiter when you can expect to hear back about the next steps or the hiring decision.
Follow up
Your recruiter will follow up with you about the outcome of your interviews as soon as a hiring decision is made. Feel free to send a thank you email to the recruiter, who will forward it to the hiring manager and interviewers.
Stay connected
Follow us on Twitter at Microsoft Life, on Facebook at Microsoft Careers, Instagram at Microsoft Life, and LinkedIn on the Microsoft Corporate page.
Virtual interviews
We’ll set you up for success throughout our entirely virtual interview process. Get key prep tips, FAQs, and support along the way.
How to prepare for a virtual interview
Prior to your virtual interview
If required, sign the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Certain teams require you to sign an NDA prior to your interviews. If you have been asked to do this, please review the document in your Action Center and sign to acknowledge that you agree to the terms. If you have not been asked to do this, there is no action for you.
Set up the teleconferencing technology. All interviews are held via Microsoft Teams and/or in the case of some technical interviews, via a different 3rd party virtual platform. Your recruiting contact will inform you of the platform(s) used.
If your interview is confirmed to be on Microsoft Teams:
In preparation for your upcoming virtual Teams interview, download the Teams App to your computer. If you are unable to install Teams, there is an option to open Teams in your web browser; however, we recommend using the App where possible as this ensures that you have access to all the features. Please note the preferred browsers are Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome.
Test that the Teams App is working. You can join, leave, and re-join a Teams Meeting anytime.
Your recruiting contact will send a Microsoft Teams meeting ID# prior to your interview.
If your interview is confirmed to be on a different 3rd party platform:
You will be sent an email from your recruiting contact with specific instructions to install and test the platform prior to your interview.
As a back-up, we recommend downloading the Teams App as well.
Check the rest of your technology setup. Confirm that your webcam and microphone are allowed and work properly in your chosen browser. Test your internet connection to ensure it is strong and working. If using headphones, make sure they are connected and selected prior.
If needed, request accommodations. If you need any accommodations or are concerned about Microsoft Teams or other third-party virtual platforms not being fully accessible for you, please submit an accessibility request. We will reach out to discuss how to best support you.
Prepare for your virtual interview as for any other. Explore our interview tips page to help you get ready.
On the day of your interview
Conduct your interview in a well-lit and quiet environment that is as free of any distractions as possible. With many of us having to work from home while taking care of our families, we understand that quiet space can be challenging to find, for you as well as for the interviewers. While we encourage you to find a space where you can focus and not be interrupted, don’t be too stressed about it, we are all in this together!
If you are using a laptop, phone, or tablet, fully charge your device prior to the interview.
Switch your other devices onto silent mode; however, if possible, have your phone handy in case your interviewer might be having technical difficulties or is trying to reach out via phone or email.
Dress comfortably and use your best judgment based on the role you are interviewing for.
If your interview is on Teams, click on “Join the Microsoft Teams meeting” to connect.
If your interview is on a 3rd party platform, please follow the instructions provided by your recruiting contact by email.
If you are comfortable, turn on your camera for better interviewer engagement. We also understand that there are times when internet bandwidth can cause issues and when it might need to be turned off.
Troubleshooting
If you experience technical difficulties during your interview, close the App and re-join.
On Teams, if you still have trouble connecting, dial in from your phone using the toll-free number in the interview invite.
If you are still unable to connect after following the above troubleshooting steps, email or call your recruiting contact immediately.
Technical interviews
Ace Microsoft technical interviews. Gain insights into the process and how to showcase your problem-solving skills along with your core competencies.
Technical interviews are problem-solving–based and cover technical excellence and core competencies. You’ll be assessed on your knowledge of technical principles and methods, as well as on how you approach problem-solving, your technical agility, and your ability to think strategically to solve complex problems. The interview will also include other competency-based questions and questions about your resume. Our interview process is currently entirely virtual. For more specific guidance, you can read how to prepare for a virtual interview.
If needed, request accommodations. If you need any accommodations or are concerned about Microsoft Teams or other third-party virtual platform not being fully accessible for you, please submit an accessibility request. We will reach out to discuss how to best support you.
Engineering lifecycle
Our interview process will evaluate you on all the following:
Problem solving
Interviewers want to see how you break down information and navigate through problems. We also want to learn more about how you think, how you put yourself in the customer’s shoes, and how you make choices. Ask clarifying questions for any ambiguities and come up with a plan before you implement a solution. Managing your time is important, given the short 45-minute interview round.
Design
We’re looking for engineers who can work not only with an existing platform, but who also understand what it takes to build or design a new system or platform from scratch.
Coding
Demonstrate best practices and ensure your code is clean, concise, and bug free. You’ll be asked to code only in the language you’re strong in. Don’t use pseudocode. You'll be using a third-party coding tool where you can run and compile your code. Practice, practice, practice. We can’t overstate this enough. This is a critical part of the interview.
Testing
At Microsoft, you test your own and other team members’ code. It’s likely that your interviewers will expect you to do some testing or show you understand how to test your solutions. When you finish your solution, don’t forget to test it before you say “done!” Remember, your basic responsibility is to make sure the feature you’ve coded works. Then, consider all the factors that could cause problems. What are the security implications of the feature? How can you stress this code? What are the boundaries and error conditions? Be sure to point out your corner cases.
Technical excellence
Depending on the role you’re applying for, here are some areas we recommend preparing for. This list simply gives examples and is representative, not exhaustive:
Algorithms
Interviewers want to see what types of algorithms you use to implement your solutions. Recursion can be a common pattern for some types of questions. You should know the details of at least one n*log(n) sorting algorithm, preferably two (for example, quicksort and merge sort). You’ll need to explain the complexity of your algorithm (big O).
Data structures
These are some common data structures that tend to come up often in questions: arrays and strings, queues and lists, linked lists, trees/tries, hash maps/hash sets, graphs. You should be familiar with when to use each one and describe their pros and cons.
System design and distributed systems
Knowledge of distributed systems, SOA, and n-tiered software architecture is very important in answering system design questions. Resiliency, high availability, auto-scaling, replication, CAP theory, partitioning, all may be included. If you don’t work with these concepts regularly, make sure to review them before your interview.
Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
We’ll be looking for your:
Experience with machine learning models and training pipelines to perform model evaluation, profiling, and optimization.
Ability to apply, implement, and/or develop AI/ML algorithms and principles to solve complex problems.
Data science
You can expect questions about:
Data Manipulation/Fluency/Data Insights and Exploration. Can you deal with data at various dataset levels, and how do you reason with the data as scale of data increases, run time, and so on.
Probabilistic Thinking/Mathematics. There may be specific math or statistics questions and open-ended questions. We’re looking for how you process problems; how you analyze, clarify things, and draw solutions; and also how investigative you are about the data or results you have.
Statistics. Linear regression, time-series complexity, hypothesis testing/probability (t tests/p-values, and so on).
Computer networking
Show your understanding of the layered model, application-specific protocols like HTTP, security-related protocols like TLS, network-level protocols like TCP and IP, and routing protocols like BGP and ISIS.
Student and recent graduate interviews
Microsoft offers student employment opportunities. We provide comprehensive guidance, support, and flexibility to meet your scheduling and accessibility requirements.
Early in profession hiring tips
Photo of students talking
Through our interview process, we aim to discover your base knowledge in the area of focus, evaluate critical thinking skills, assess how you solve problems and your ability to learn. You'll have an initial interview and, if selected, a second final interview. We aim to discover your strengths to pair you with the right team.
Our interview process varies depending on the role you're applying for. For some of our openings you may be asked to write code, share a creative portfolio or project, or provide examples of your work in other ways. Interview preparation and details are communicated to candidates when they are invited to interviews to help set you up for success.
Virtual interviews
All our interviews are virtual. To help you prepare, please see tips for virtual interviewing.
You can also find further recommendations for virtual interviewing from Kelsea, University Recruiting Account Manager and Chase, Programming Engineer when you watch this video.
Virtual Interview Day
1:1 meetings with Microsoft employees
A break is incorporated between interviews
Prepare for multiple types of questions, both behavioral and functional/technical, focused on your experience and skills that could translate to the role for which you are interviewing
Your recruiter can help you understand the specific timeline of when you can expect to hear back regarding the hiring decision.
Preparing for your interview
Watch the videos below to help you prepare for your interview. Many of our roles will have different interview objectives, so we have created role specific videos to help you understand the process and prepare better.
Photo of Microsoft employees Daisy and Ellen
Technical interview prep
Get tips, tricks, and the inside scoop on Microsoft technical interviews from Daisy, Software Engineer, and Ellen, University Recruiter.
David, Hardware Engineer, and Kritin, University Recruiter.
Hardware engineering prep
If you're preparing for a hardware engineering interview, discover some tips for putting your best foot forward with David, Hardware Engineer, and Kritin, University Recruiter.
Prateek, Data Scientist, and Amy, University Recruiter.
Data science prep
Check out key tips that will help you prepare for your data science interview with Prateek, Data Scientist, and Amy, University Recruiter.
Photo of Microsoft employees
Business functions prep
Microsoft provides opportunities to empower you to create things that help others and change the world. Understand the Microsoft interview process for business functions roles and what to expect to prepare.
How Microsoft encourages your success
We will provide you with tips and insights about interviewing for your specific role.
As you progress throughout the process, we will be here to support you with timely updates, answer your questions, and supply you with materials to succeed.
If you are hired, we’ll continue to guide you through the entire onboarding process and supply you with the tools you need to effectively crush your new job at Microsoft.
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The recruiting lifecycle at Microsoft
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Submit application
Once you've found a role you want to apply for, just click on 'Apply' at the top or bottom of the job posting. You’ll then be taken to review or create your profile and then to an application form with some additional questions. Shortly after you have submitted your application you will receive an email confirmation that your application has been received. You’ll also see the application listed in your Action Center.
Application review
After we've received your application, we'll review it. You can check back in your Action Center to see the status of your applications.
Depending on the role and volume of applicants, hiring teams may have different approaches to how they select candidates to interview. In some cases, in addition to the resume review, the hiring team may elect to take an additional step of conducting a brief screen to further assist them with narrowing down who they would like to invite to interview.
If needed, please submit an accessibility request via the Microsoft Global Careers site to ensure any reasonable accommodations you might require during the recruiting process can be supported.
Please note: due to the volume of applications received, we are typically unable to provide individualized feedback to candidates that have applied for a role and are not selected for a screen or interview.
Interview
If advancing in the process, the next interview steps vary based on the role you're applying for. Be prepared to demonstrate how you meet the qualifications of the job by sharing specific examples from your past or ideas about how you would accomplish a specific task. Be sure to share how skills you have gained throughout your career will translate to the role for which you are interviewing. For some of our openings you may be asked to write code, share a creative portfolio, or provide examples of your work in other ways. Most commonly you'll meet with 2 to 4 people—some potential teammates and some cross-functional colleagues—for up to an hour each. The hiring team gets a chance to get to know you—and you get a chance to get to know the team. It can be over the phone, Teams or on-site in-person. Post-interview, your recruiter can help you understand the specific timeline of when you can expect to hear back regarding the hiring decision. Find insights to help you prepare on the Interview Tips page.
If not selected for the role you’ve interviewed for, we encourage you to continue to explore job openings on the Microsoft Careers Site. While you were not selected for this role, there may be other positions that are of interest to you that more closely match your skill set.
Offer
If you are extended an offer, your recruiting team will reach out to you via email to share documentation for review and signage. In some countries, your offer documents will be available in your Action Center for you to view and sign. Your recruiter and/or the hiring manager will also be in contact to discuss the details and answer any questions. We believe in the concept of “Total Rewards.” Take time to assess the full value of the package including any associated bonuses, health benefits, company pension contributions, wellness programs, onsite facilities, and more. Once you have expressed your commitment to join us, we will start your onboarding and preparations for day one in your new role.
Pre-onboard
Once you have accepted your offer, a member of our recruitment team will reach out to work with you and your new manager to finalize your start date and to help you with any additional pre-hire activities that are needed, like relocation, work authorization, or employment paperwork.
Hired
We want you to have a smooth transition into your new role. When you start at Microsoft, your new manager will provide you with an onboarding plan and pair you with an onboarding buddy. And the AskHR team are always available to help with any questions you have throughout your transition.
Regarding Zhengxianling - China's first pan - international talent recruitment platform
Zhengxianling is developed and operated by Shanghai Yuntong Information Technology Co., Ltd. The company mainly provides international services such as talent job-seeking and recruitment, recruitment and introduction of high-level talents / science and technology innovation-related talents (Overseas Excellent Young Talents, Qiming Plan, online and offline job fairs, campus recruitment, social recruitment, online recruitment, headhunting, etc.), academic exchanges, and software development. In due time, we will launch language platforms and APPs in AI English, Korean, Japanese, French, German, etc. to meet the needs of global users. Up to now, the company has established communication channels with national ministries and commissions such as the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Science and Technology, talent offices of the Organization Departments of some provincial and municipal Party committees, departments of human resources and social security, industry and information technology, science and technology, trade unions, chambers of commerce, academic societies, associations, 985 and 211 universities in various regions across the country, HRs of some enterprises, the International Academician Consortium, the United Nations Science and Technology Commission WDTA, and some international institutions in countries such as Russia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Canada, and QS World's top 100 universities (MIT, Oxford, the University of Melbourne...).
Service items are as follows:
A. Recruitment and introduction of international high-level / science and technology innovation-related talents (doctors, post-doctors, academicians) (online and offline job fairs, campus recruitment, social recruitment, online recruitment, headhunting, etc.), overseas enterprise study tours, academic exchanges, and software development.
B. Operation of Zhengxianling® (The types of talents on the platform and official account are not limited).
Service-supported regions:
China, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy, the United States, Canada, etc. (covering more than 100 countries and regions).
Main service content: Online and offline special high-level talent job fairs for cities, parks, and employers, talent-introduction activities related to science and technology innovation (project solicitation, screening, roadshow... implementation, etc.), investment promotion, academic exchange conferences, online job-seeking and recruitment, and offline services are available in the above-mentioned designated countries.
In the past 2024, we have successively joined the Hubei Chushang Federation in China and the World Federation of Inventors' Associations [IFIA], and have established the grand goal of building Zhengxianling into China's first pan-international talent recruitment platform (Language platforms and APPs in AI English, Korean, Japanese, French, German, etc. will be launched in due time. The establishment of the International HRD (HR) Alliance is in progress), and in the future, it will serve billions of users in more than 200 countries around the world. As of December 31, 2024, we have received a reply from the chairman of the United Nations Science and Technology Commission WDTA, welcoming Yuntong Technology and Zhengxianling to join the cooperation of the United Nations Science and Technology Commission WDTA in 2025. Starting from 2025, we will cooperate with the International Academician Consortium and may participate in activities such as the FCPAE (Federation of Chinese Professionals in Europe) European Forum to facilitate international talent exchanges and cooperation, thereby promoting scientific and technological innovation, driving employment, serving global economic construction, and promoting friendly cross-border cooperation to create a better future. Thus, we can better serve users from all over the world.
The Chinese full name of IFIA: World Federation of Inventors' Associations. Its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland, and San Francisco, the United States. In February 2024, after being reviewed and approved by the 47th Global Executive Committee of IFIA, Shanghai Yuntong Information Technology Co., Ltd. [Zhengxianling] joined the organization. For details, please refer to the official website of IFIA:
https://www.ifia.com/ifia-47th-executive-committee-meeting-held-on-feb-2024/
Our company's recruitment platform will officially launch a paid service starting from February 1, 2025. For details, please refer to:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/YmOxE1snwAAvskZgwm5RxA
Currently, we are organizing online and offline special job fairs for high-level talents of international organizations. For details of the event, please refer to the push article on the schedule plan of the international high-level talent recruitment activities of Zhengxianling®:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/UGfNhxHRoIs1KZF7Thsfxg
Zhengxianling® recruits a large number of overseas high-level talents and innovative talents all year round. For details, please refer to the official account introduction:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/8YaCD8xaXiDeC93a1foUKQ
Regarding the invitation letter for the initiation of the International HRD (HR) Alliance, please refer to the official account introduction:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/fdg6QB82KAJCeTi0VZVZKQ
We welcome HRs of employers from all over the world, heads of universities and research institutes, academic leaders, young doctors / post-doctors / academicians and other talents to contact us or register to join our platform，The talents we recruit will be preferentially recommended to work in universities, research institutions and other units in China or various countries around the world.
