I applied online. The process took 5 months. I interviewed at Microsoft (Bucarest, ) in Jan 2025
Interview
Complex and long interview process which takes months. Includes coding challenges, algorithms and OOP, but also system design.
Four interviews planned on one day, can be a bit exhausting. By the last interview I felt really tired. The offer in the end was below expectations, with some room for negotiation of the on-hire stock. The stocks awarded can only be vested after at least one year, so the position requires long term commitment. Even if you don't like the job afterwards, you have to stay at least 4 years if you want it to be worth it financially. The total compensation is not bad, the risk is not liking the job, in which case you still need to stay with them... Base-salary wise there are better options out there, which also don't require a long term commitment.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Algorithms for finding a path in a tree + OOP questions about design patterns.
I applied online. I interviewed at Microsoft (Melbourne)
Interview
After submitting an online application, I received a HackerRank assessment after passing the resume screening stage, then I was rejected after completing the assessment and did not proceed to further interview rounds.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
The assessment consisted of two LeetCode-medium-level coding questions to be completed within 75 minutes.
45 mins technical interview with a member of their San fran team. Very relaxed and informal but questions were focused and lots of follow ups. Easy to schedule as was over video conferencing platform
Straightforward technical loop overall, with strong interviewers at every stage. I genuinely enjoyed the in-depth conversations around technical challenges and algorithmic problem-solving — the entire process felt well-structured and genuinely engaging.