Originally published on LeetCopilot Blog
Microsoft's interview is unique—less speed-focused than Meta, more about depth and problem-solving approach. Here's exactly what to expect and how to prepare.
Microsoft's coding interview differs from other FAANG companies. It's less about speed and more about depth of understanding and problem-solving approach.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Microsoft's 2026 interview process.
TL;DR: Microsoft Interview Overview
| Stage | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiter Call | 30 min | Background, alignment |
| Phone Screen | 45-60 min | 1-2 coding problems |
| Onsite (Virtual) | 4-5 rounds | Coding, Design, Behavioral, "As Appropriate" |
Timeline: 4-8 weeks from application to offer
Unique: Microsoft has an "As Appropriate" (AA) round—a senior leader interview
The Interview Process
Stage 1: Recruiter Call (30 minutes)
What happens:
- Discuss your background
- Role and team alignment
- Timeline and process explanation
Tips:
- Research the specific team (Azure, Office, Windows, etc.)
- Have questions about the role ready
Stage 2: Phone Screen (45-60 minutes)
What happens:
- 1-2 coding problems
- Usually medium difficulty
- Live coding (Microsoft Teams or similar)
Pace: More relaxed than Meta—focus on understanding over speed
Stage 3: Virtual Onsite (4-5 rounds)
Typical structure:
| Round | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Coding 1 | 60 min | Data structures, algorithms |
| Coding 2 | 60 min | More complex problem |
| System Design | 60 min | Architecture (senior roles) |
| Behavioral | 60 min | Past experiences, values |
| As Appropriate (AA) | 45-60 min | Senior leader final assessment |
What Makes Microsoft Different
1. Depth Over Speed
Microsoft values deep understanding more than solving quickly. They want to see:
- How you think through edge cases
- Your approach to optimization
- Clean, maintainable code
2. The "As Appropriate" (AA) Round
- Final round with a senior leader
- They can veto hiring decisions
- Focuses on cultural fit, growth mindset, and impact potential
3. Growth Mindset Culture
Microsoft explicitly values "growth mindset"—expect behavioral questions around:
- How you handle failure
- How you learn from mistakes
- How you embrace challenges
What Questions to Expect
Coding Questions
Microsoft asks LeetCode easy to medium questions—less pressure on hard problems:
| Topic | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Arrays & Strings | Very High |
| Trees & Graphs | High |
| Linked Lists | High |
| Hash Maps | High |
| Recursion | Medium |
| Dynamic Programming | Medium |
Microsoft favorites:
- Add Two Numbers (Linked Lists)
- Merge K Sorted Lists
- Serialize/Deserialize Binary Tree
- LRU Cache
- Design In-Memory File System
- Two Sum (and variations)
System Design Questions (Senior Roles)
For SDE II and above:
- Design OneDrive / Dropbox
- Design Microsoft Teams
- Design Xbox Game Pass
- Design Azure Storage
What they evaluate:
- Understanding of distributed systems
- Trade-off analysis
- Cloud concepts (Azure knowledge is a plus)
Behavioral Questions
Microsoft evaluates alignment with their core values:
Growth Mindset:
- Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn?
- How do you stay current with technology?
- Describe a challenging problem you solved.
Customer Focus:
- How do you prioritize user needs?
- Tell me about a time you advocated for the customer.
Teamwork:
- How do you handle disagreements with teammates?
- Describe your ideal work environment.
Impact:
- What's your most impactful project?
- How do you measure success?
How to Prepare
Coding Preparation (4-6 weeks)
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | Arrays, Strings, Linked Lists |
| 3-4 | Trees, Graphs, Hash Maps |
| 5-6 | DP (basics), Mock Interviews |
Resources:
- LeetCode Microsoft tag — Practice actual Microsoft questions
- NeetCode 150 — Core patterns
- LeetCopilot — Hints when stuck
System Design Preparation (SDE II+)
Focus on:
- Cloud architecture (Azure concepts help)
- Distributed storage systems
- Real-time collaboration systems
Resources:
- "System Design Interview" by Alex Xu
- ByteByteGo
- Azure documentation (for context)
Behavioral Preparation
Prepare STAR stories for:
- A project you're proud of
- A failure and what you learned
- A conflict you resolved
- A time you went above and beyond
- How you handle ambiguity
Microsoft-specific tip: Emphasize "growth mindset" in your stories.
Interview Day Tips
For Coding Rounds:
- Don't rush — Microsoft values depth over speed
- Ask clarifying questions — Shows thoroughness
- Walk through examples — Before coding
- Write clean code — Well-organized and readable
- Discuss trade-offs — Show you consider alternatives
- Test thoroughly — Edge cases matter
For the AA Round:
- Be authentic—they're assessing fit
- Show enthusiasm for Microsoft's mission
- Demonstrate growth mindset
- Ask thoughtful questions about the team/company
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Rushing through problems | Take time to think and explain |
| Ignoring edge cases | Discuss them proactively |
| Not testing code | Walk through examples |
| Weak behavioral answers | Prepare STAR stories |
| Not asking questions | Show curiosity about the team |
Microsoft Engineering Levels
| Level | Title | Experience | System Design? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59-60 | SDE | 0-2 years | No |
| 61-62 | SDE II | 2-5 years | Light |
| 63-64 | Senior SDE | 5-8 years | Yes |
| 65+ | Principal+ | 8+ years | Yes (complex) |
Microsoft vs Other FAANG
| Aspect | Microsoft | Google/Meta |
|---|---|---|
| Pace | Relaxed | Fast-paced |
| Problems | Medium focus | Medium-Hard |
| Emphasis | Depth, clean code | Speed, optimization |
| Culture | Growth mindset | Googliness/Move fast |
| Final Round | AA (senior leader) | Hiring committee |
FAQ
Is Microsoft easier than Google/Meta?
The problems are slightly easier on average, but the depth expected is similar.
Do I need Azure experience?
Not required, but helpful for Cloud roles. Basic cloud concepts are useful.
What's the AA round really about?
Senior leader assessment of culture fit and growth potential. Be authentic.
What programming language should I use?
C#, Python, or Java are all fine. Use what you're most comfortable with.
What's the offer acceptance rate?
Roughly 25-30% of onsite candidates receive offers.
Conclusion
Microsoft's interview is more about depth than speed. Success requires:
- Deep understanding — Know why, not just what
- Clean code — Readable and maintainable
- Growth mindset — Show you embrace learning
- Thorough testing — Cover edge cases
- Cultural fit — Align with Microsoft values
Practice on LeetCode with LeetCopilot, but remember—Microsoft wants to see how you think, not just whether you get the right answer.
Good luck!
If you're looking for an AI assistant to help you master LeetCode patterns and prepare for coding interviews, check out LeetCopilot.
Top comments (0)