Get Ready for Your Microsoft Software Engineer Interview
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Microsoft Software Engineer Interview Questions
This guide covers the most frequently asked interview questions for Software Engineer roles at Microsoft. Learn what topics to expect, how interviews are structured, and tips to perform your best in each round.
Microsoft Software Engineer Salary by Location
| Location | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| USA | $120,000 – $210,000 USD/year |
| United Kingdom | £60,000 – £110,000 GBP/year |
| India | ₹18 – ₹45 LPA |
Frequently Asked Questions in Microsoft Interviews
- Explain the difference between process and thread.
- How would you design a scalable URL shortener?
- What are the tradeoffs between using arrays and linked lists?
- Describe how garbage collection works in .NET or Java.
- Implement an LRU Cache.
- Given a binary tree, return its level order traversal.
- How would you detect a cycle in a directed graph?
- Discuss a challenging project you’ve worked on and your technical contribution.
- How do you handle ambiguity in project requirements?
- Explain how you debug performance issues in production systems.
What to Expect in Microsoft Software Engineer Interviews
Microsoft’s interview process generally includes 4–5 rounds covering problem-solving, data structures, algorithms, and system design. The process usually begins with an online assessment followed by multiple technical rounds and one behavioral round.
- Round 1: Online coding assessment with 2–3 questions.
- Round 2–3: Data structures and algorithm problems.
- Round 4: System design and architecture discussion.
- Round 5: Behavioral interview with hiring manager.
Candidates are evaluated on clarity of thought, coding efficiency, communication, and problem-solving approach. Be ready to discuss your projects and explain design choices clearly.