About Me:

• Education: 2nd Tier(Startups consider it as 1st tier)
• YOE: 3 years(2021 B.Tech Graduate)

Current Company:

• Company: an Indian unicorn startup
• Level: SDE-2
• Fixed: 29 lpa
• ESOPs: 6 lpa

Microsoft Offer:

• Level: L62
• Fixed: 41.5 lpa (including PF)
• Stocks: 90k USD = 75.2 lacs over 4 years
• Bonus: 0-20% of fixed. Target is 10%(4.15 lacs)
• Joining/Sign-on/Relocation Bonuses: 0(None)
• Max comp: Fixed(41.5 lacs) + Stocks(~18.8 lacs) + Bonus(8.30 lacs at 20%) = 68.6 lacs
• Avg comp: Fixed(41.5 lacs) + Stocks(~18.8 lacs) + Bonus(4.15 lacs at 10%) = 64.45 lacs
• Benefits: Standard Microsoft Benefits: Professional Development(2 lacs), Insurances, Child care, Free cab & shuttle, ESPP(at 10% discount)

Interview Experience:

• Screening. 1 codility round with 2 easy questions.
• Interview took place in May.
• Initially was informed that 4 rounds would take place. 1 DSA + 1 LLD + 1 Sys Design + 1 HM.
• 1st round: Discussion on current experience(10 mins) + 1 DSA problem with 2 variants(20 mins) + Again Discussion on resume(30 mins)
• 1st round verdict: HR only informs with positive/negative. not the degree(strong/normal/lean). It was positive from HR. My verdict: Very strong.
• 2nd round: 1 DSA(20 mins). Interviewer hadn't prepared 2nd question. I had to dug a pit for myself by coming up with a variant and coded.
• 2nd round verdict: HR: positive. Mine: Strong. Interviewer wasn't very engaging, round was only DSA oriented, so I didn't enjoy and felt as good as other rounds.
• Was informed 1 hr after 2nd round that now only 1 more round will happen for me. It will(may) be a mix of everything(behavioural + system design + DSA). 3rd round was scheduled 30 mins from the moment this call happened.
• 3rd round: 2 folks were there. 1 my future manager(I now know because he is my actual manager too in offer letter). And 2nd guy was also very senior EM like. Started with a bit about myself. Then they explained a bit about team. Discussions on my resume and past experience. Few behavioural questions like my mentorship skills, my conduct with my manager, potentially resolving bandwidth issues in case of juggling between teams. 5 min quick HLD discussion on URL shortener. A bit discussion about the team at last. Interview lasted 1 hour.
• 3rd round verdict: This time recruiter itself called and informed round was positive. My verdict: Very Strong.
• All this happened on Friday. Got the email for details on Monday.

Post Interview Experience:

• Same day was informed that I cleared.
• 2 days later details were requested.
• 1st discussion on expected comp happened 2 weeks after interview.
• 1 week after that proposed offer was verbally communicated. Was trying for more stocks but recruiter didn't buzz as L62 was already an out of bands offer from them.
• Accepted 1 day after that. This was Friday.
• Offer rolled out on Monday. Signed instantly.
• Background verification initiated on Monday evening. Submiited everything by night.
• Background verification completed in exactly 9 days. I had emphasized over mails to complete BGV early as my LWD was near.
• Upon completion got emails for potentially earliest start date. I chose earliest start date. Manager consented and it was finalized.