Hello, LeetCoders!
I recently secured a Software Engineering Internship at Microsoft and wanted to share my interview experience along with some tips that might be helpful to others:
Background
- I am a 3rd-year Computer Science student at Tier-2 college.
- This opportunity was off-campus
Round 1: Online Assessment (5 Sept)
- Format: The assessment included two medium-level LeetCode-style questions.
- Tip: Focus on mastering Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA), especially in arrays, strings, graphs, and trees.
- Question Summary: Although I don’t recall the exact question, one problem involved a grid-based dynamic programming (DP) scenario, where we had to navigate from the top-left to the bottom-right cell to maximize coin collection.
- Both questions followed the LeetCode format
Round 2: Technical Interview 1 (23 Sept)
- Questions:
- Tip: For each problem, I made sure to thoroughly explain my thought process before diving into the code. Clear and logical communication helps to structure your approach and enables the interviewer to follow along easily.
Round 3: HR + Technical Interview 2 (23 Sept)
- Project Discussion: There was an in-depth discussion about one of my key projects, so it’s essential to be prepared to explain your design choices and technical stack.
- CS Fundamentals: I was asked questions on topics such as segmentation problems and fundamental DBMS concepts.
- Behavioral: There were standard behavioral questions assessing adaptability and teamwork.
- LeetCode Question:
- 3Sum: I needed to provide an optimized approach for this problem.
General Tips
- Mock Interviews: Practicing mock interviews with peers or through online platforms is valuable for gaining familiarity with the interview environment.
- Communication: Always articulate your solution clearly, step-by-step. Asking for clarification before starting can also ensure you’re solving the right problem.
- Expect the Unexpected: For internships, be prepared with a solid understanding of CS fundamentals and even some basics of system design.
Wishing everyone preparing for interviews the best of luck. Stay consistent, and trust the process.
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