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Microsoft Interview Questions

Review this list of 263 Microsoft interview questions and answers verified by hiring managers and candidates.
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    1 answer

    "I have integrated AI into my daily workflow to improve productivity and reduce time spent on repetitive tasks. Some examples include: Code Development: I use AI to generate code snippets, troubleshoot issues, explain complex concepts, and speed up development tasks. Writing and Communication: AI helps me improve sentence structure, grammar, clarity, and tone when drafting emails, documentation, and reports. Learning and Research: I leverage AI to quickly understand new technolo"

    Mr L. - "I have integrated AI into my daily workflow to improve productivity and reduce time spent on repetitive tasks. Some examples include: Code Development: I use AI to generate code snippets, troubleshoot issues, explain complex concepts, and speed up development tasks. Writing and Communication: AI helps me improve sentence structure, grammar, clarity, and tone when drafting emails, documentation, and reports. Learning and Research: I leverage AI to quickly understand new technolo"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Artificial Intelligence
    +1 more
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    301 answers
    Video answer for 'What's your favorite product and why?'
    +290

    "Clarify "What do you mean by favorite product? Are you thinking specifically hardware, software, or a feature within those, or something non-electronic? Dealer's Choice. "Are you asking why I love this product, or to explain why this product is a market leader independent of how i feel about it? Talk about why YOU love this product. Rephrase Question With all that in mind, i want to rephrase the question. "What is your favorite software product and what features in this product"

    Tim W. - "Clarify "What do you mean by favorite product? Are you thinking specifically hardware, software, or a feature within those, or something non-electronic? Dealer's Choice. "Are you asking why I love this product, or to explain why this product is a market leader independent of how i feel about it? Talk about why YOU love this product. Rephrase Question With all that in mind, i want to rephrase the question. "What is your favorite software product and what features in this product"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
    +4 more
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    1 answer

    "1. What is an LFU Cache? An LFU (Least Frequently Used) cache is a memory management system with a fixed capacity. It tracks how often items are accessed and evicts the least popular items when it runs out of space. It has one critical rule and one tie-breaker rule: The Core Rule: When the cache is full and you need to add a new item, you must kick out the item with the lowest access frequency. The Tie-Breaker (LRU): If multiple items share that same lowest frequency"

    Rama A. - "1. What is an LFU Cache? An LFU (Least Frequently Used) cache is a memory management system with a fixed capacity. It tracks how often items are accessed and evicts the least popular items when it runs out of space. It has one critical rule and one tie-breaker rule: The Core Rule: When the cache is full and you need to add a new item, you must kick out the item with the lowest access frequency. The Tie-Breaker (LRU): If multiple items share that same lowest frequency"See full answer

    Software Engineer
    Data Structures & Algorithms
    +2 more
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    95 answers
    +91

    "My approach to dealing with difficult stakeholders has always been: Engage - Directly engage with the stakeholder, meet or chat Listen - Listen to what they have to say, patiently. Understand - Understand their POV, even if it is impossible at some times Ask - Ask clarifying questions. Why? When? What? Engage again - Keep them in the loop until there is closure For example, we were in the final stages of a very important, strategic project for our organization. I was leading th"

    Jane D. - "My approach to dealing with difficult stakeholders has always been: Engage - Directly engage with the stakeholder, meet or chat Listen - Listen to what they have to say, patiently. Understand - Understand their POV, even if it is impossible at some times Ask - Ask clarifying questions. Why? When? What? Engage again - Keep them in the loop until there is closure For example, we were in the final stages of a very important, strategic project for our organization. I was leading th"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Behavioral
    +8 more
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    110 answers
    Video answer for 'Tell me about a time you made a mistake.'
    +99

    "Let me tell you about a time where a website I managed suddenly showed slow performance and the mistake on our side was it was unnoticed until a user reported the issue to management. As a PM for that project, I took full responsibility of the situation and worked with the engineering team to quickly resolve it. This mistake taught me the importance of focusing and monitoring non functional requirements as well in addition to new feature development /adoption where I was mostly spending my time"

    Sreenisha S. - "Let me tell you about a time where a website I managed suddenly showed slow performance and the mistake on our side was it was unnoticed until a user reported the issue to management. As a PM for that project, I took full responsibility of the situation and worked with the engineering team to quickly resolve it. This mistake taught me the importance of focusing and monitoring non functional requirements as well in addition to new feature development /adoption where I was mostly spending my time"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Behavioral
    +10 more
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  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    Add answer
    Product Manager
    Product Design
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    15 answers
    +11

    "So here is what I would do if I had to designing a system to log messages in order involves several considerations, including the choice of software, hardware, storage mechanisms, and scalability. Here’s how I would approach this: 1. Requirements Analysis: Message Format: Define the structure of the messages to log (e.g., text, JSON). Volume: Estimate the expected volume of messages per second. This will help in determining the infrastructure requirements. **Order Guarantee"

    Theodore (teddy) W. - "So here is what I would do if I had to designing a system to log messages in order involves several considerations, including the choice of software, hardware, storage mechanisms, and scalability. Here’s how I would approach this: 1. Requirements Analysis: Message Format: Define the structure of the messages to log (e.g., text, JSON). Volume: Estimate the expected volume of messages per second. This will help in determining the infrastructure requirements. **Order Guarantee"See full answer

    Software Engineer
    System Design
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    36 answers
    +30

    "We had a huge launch on September 1st of this year where we completely redesigned our application from the grounds up and also migrated to a new platform (React.JS). This project took us 8 months and the launch was a huge deal for the team. Unfortunately the launch wasn't as smooth as we expected and despite doing multiple rounds of QA, some major issues cropped up in the core part of the app right after launch and our client was quite upset since it was disrupting their day-to-day workflow. "

    Aabid S. - "We had a huge launch on September 1st of this year where we completely redesigned our application from the grounds up and also migrated to a new platform (React.JS). This project took us 8 months and the launch was a huge deal for the team. Unfortunately the launch wasn't as smooth as we expected and despite doing multiple rounds of QA, some major issues cropped up in the core part of the app right after launch and our client was quite upset since it was disrupting their day-to-day workflow. "See full answer

    Software Engineer
    Behavioral
    +7 more
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    126 answers
    Video answer for 'Tell me about yourself.'
    +118

    "As you know, this is the most important question for any interview. Here is a structure I like to follow, Start with 'I'm currently a SDE/PM/TPM etc with XYZ company.... ' Mention how you got into PM/TPM/SDE field (explaining your journey) Mention 1 or 2 accomplishments Mention what you do outside work (blogging, volunteer etc) Share why are you looking for a new role Ask the interviewer if they have any questions or will like to dive deep into any of your experience"

    Bipin R. - "As you know, this is the most important question for any interview. Here is a structure I like to follow, Start with 'I'm currently a SDE/PM/TPM etc with XYZ company.... ' Mention how you got into PM/TPM/SDE field (explaining your journey) Mention 1 or 2 accomplishments Mention what you do outside work (blogging, volunteer etc) Share why are you looking for a new role Ask the interviewer if they have any questions or will like to dive deep into any of your experience"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Behavioral
    +19 more
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    28 answers
    Video answer for 'Tell me about a time when you solved a complex problem and how you went about it.'
    +12

    "I work at a startup that makes software for Law Enforcement and the FBI. Our product analyzes calls being made by prison inmates and "listens" for predictors of violence and criminal behavior. Our clients are some of the top state prisons in the country. Recently one of the largest states in the country decided to evaluate our product for their prison system. I demo'd the product to the officers and they seemed to like everything. During the presentation they asked us if the product was ADA com"

    Aabid S. - "I work at a startup that makes software for Law Enforcement and the FBI. Our product analyzes calls being made by prison inmates and "listens" for predictors of violence and criminal behavior. Our clients are some of the top state prisons in the country. Recently one of the largest states in the country decided to evaluate our product for their prison system. I demo'd the product to the officers and they seemed to like everything. During the presentation they asked us if the product was ADA com"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Behavioral
    +6 more
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    Add answer
    Software Engineer
    System Design
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    7 answers
    +4

    "Prioritizing competing features involves evaluating and comparing different features to determine which ones to implement first, based on their relative importance, value, and impact on the product and users. Here are some steps to help prioritize competing features: Define the goals and objectives: Identify the product's overall goals, target audience, and key performance indicators (KPIs). This will help you understand what features are most important to achieve these goals. **Gather"

    Shashank S. - "Prioritizing competing features involves evaluating and comparing different features to determine which ones to implement first, based on their relative importance, value, and impact on the product and users. Here are some steps to help prioritize competing features: Define the goals and objectives: Identify the product's overall goals, target audience, and key performance indicators (KPIs). This will help you understand what features are most important to achieve these goals. **Gather"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Behavioral
    +2 more
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    10 answers
    Video answer for 'What product that you led are you most proud of and why?'
    +6

    "During the pandemic, many folks in my small town in India lost their jobs and were really struggling to make ends meet. A few of them reached out to me for financial help or help finding a job and I did my best with what limited resources I had. It was a tough situation to be in since there was only so much I could do for them. After some thinking, I realized one way that I could help them was if I could get them educational opportunities that could support them with starting a new career sinc"

    Aabid S. - "During the pandemic, many folks in my small town in India lost their jobs and were really struggling to make ends meet. A few of them reached out to me for financial help or help finding a job and I did my best with what limited resources I had. It was a tough situation to be in since there was only so much I could do for them. After some thinking, I realized one way that I could help them was if I could get them educational opportunities that could support them with starting a new career sinc"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Behavioral
    +1 more
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    4 answers

    "For any project based questions, it is important to structure your response clearly, showcasing your thought process, technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and how your work added value. Besides the STAR method, you can also use this kind of framework: 1. Start by selecting a relevant project (related to the role) Give the project background and what specific problem it solved. 2. Align the project's objective and your role Be specific about your role: were you the le"

    Malay K. - "For any project based questions, it is important to structure your response clearly, showcasing your thought process, technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and how your work added value. Besides the STAR method, you can also use this kind of framework: 1. Start by selecting a relevant project (related to the role) Give the project background and what specific problem it solved. 2. Align the project's objective and your role Be specific about your role: were you the le"See full answer

    Software Engineer
    Behavioral
    +10 more
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    11 answers
    +8

    "What metrics do you use to measure the success of a product? Clarifications & Assumptions What type of a Product is it? Is it an App? Assume it is an App. Are you launching the App now or is it an App that has already been in production for a while? Assume you are launching the App now. It is for a consumer (D2C or a B2B / Enterprise)? Assume it is for consumers / individual users to start with, and eventually will be adopted by Enterprises. Assume that your current target custo"

    Karthik M. - "What metrics do you use to measure the success of a product? Clarifications & Assumptions What type of a Product is it? Is it an App? Assume it is an App. Are you launching the App now or is it an App that has already been in production for a while? Assume you are launching the App now. It is for a consumer (D2C or a B2B / Enterprise)? Assume it is for consumers / individual users to start with, and eventually will be adopted by Enterprises. Assume that your current target custo"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Analytical
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    31 answers
    +26

    "We can use dictionary to store cache items so that our read / write operations will be O(1). Each time we read or update an existing record, we have to ensure the item is moved to the back of the cache. This will allow us to evict the first item in the cache whenever the cache is full and we need to add new records also making our eviction O(1) Instead of normal dictionary, we will use ordered dictionary to store cache items. This will allow us to efficiently move items to back of the cache a"

    Alfred O. - "We can use dictionary to store cache items so that our read / write operations will be O(1). Each time we read or update an existing record, we have to ensure the item is moved to the back of the cache. This will allow us to evict the first item in the cache whenever the cache is full and we need to add new records also making our eviction O(1) Instead of normal dictionary, we will use ordered dictionary to store cache items. This will allow us to efficiently move items to back of the cache a"See full answer

    Software Engineer
    Data Structures & Algorithms
    +6 more
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    70 answers
    +60

    "I follow a variation of the RICE framework when prioritizing how I ship product features. I start by looking at: Reach: Because the customer segmentation across our product portfolio is so similar, I tend to hold a lot of weight on product features that will maximize our customer reach with a minimal LOE. Impact: After establishing which customer segments will benefit from the product feature, I determine the urgency and estimated impact on each customer segment based on customer i"

    Ashley C. - "I follow a variation of the RICE framework when prioritizing how I ship product features. I start by looking at: Reach: Because the customer segmentation across our product portfolio is so similar, I tend to hold a lot of weight on product features that will maximize our customer reach with a minimal LOE. Impact: After establishing which customer segments will benefit from the product feature, I determine the urgency and estimated impact on each customer segment based on customer i"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Behavioral
    +10 more
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    44 answers
    Video answer for 'Design a LinkedIn for blue collar workers.'
    +41

    "Clarifying Questions & Assumptions: Blue collar :relating to manual work or workers, particularly in industry, they usually dont have college degree Linkedin: a social network that focuses on professional networking and career development. Why is linkedin expanding to blue collar workers? Ans: to expand new market as they have great untapped potential Do you want anew app or integrate it with Linkedin? Ans: you decide I would like to look more into the problem space before deciding on tha"

    D J. - "Clarifying Questions & Assumptions: Blue collar :relating to manual work or workers, particularly in industry, they usually dont have college degree Linkedin: a social network that focuses on professional networking and career development. Why is linkedin expanding to blue collar workers? Ans: to expand new market as they have great untapped potential Do you want anew app or integrate it with Linkedin? Ans: you decide I would like to look more into the problem space before deciding on tha"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
  • +5

    "Around mid-2023, I was tasked with investigating the feasibility of selling access to our site to third-party vendors who wanted to use bots to automate processes for their clients. Some initial work had been done on this but it was very high-level and very little data or analysis had actually been done. When I was tasked with this the idea was to sell access to a special header that would allow vendors to by-pass our F5 Shape implementation, a bot defense tool. From a business and security pers"

    John F. - "Around mid-2023, I was tasked with investigating the feasibility of selling access to our site to third-party vendors who wanted to use bots to automate processes for their clients. Some initial work had been done on this but it was very high-level and very little data or analysis had actually been done. When I was tasked with this the idea was to sell access to a special header that would allow vendors to by-pass our F5 Shape implementation, a bot defense tool. From a business and security pers"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Behavioral
  • Microsoft logoAsked at Microsoft 
    11 answers
    +8

    "Clarification Questions What does it mean by Next Gen Elevator? → Next Gen Elevator means Elevator using new technologies. Where is this Elevator situated? → Skyscrapers, Commercial Buildings, Residential Buildings or Elevators to Space? Assuming it’s Commercial Buildings. What is the Goal of Making Next Gen Elevators? Is it improving Safety? User Experience? Assuming it’s User Experience _Goal: To design an elevator using emerging technologies to improve user experience in a C"

    Anonymous Muskox - "Clarification Questions What does it mean by Next Gen Elevator? → Next Gen Elevator means Elevator using new technologies. Where is this Elevator situated? → Skyscrapers, Commercial Buildings, Residential Buildings or Elevators to Space? Assuming it’s Commercial Buildings. What is the Goal of Making Next Gen Elevators? Is it improving Safety? User Experience? Assuming it’s User Experience _Goal: To design an elevator using emerging technologies to improve user experience in a C"See full answer

    Product Manager
    Product Design
Showing 1-20 of 263
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