How to get hired by Microsoft? 10 tips shared by Microsoft HR

What is a dream job? There are many answers but we are sure that for most engineers and techies one of them would involve working at Microsoft. The company is one of the best employers, globally as well as in India. So what does it take to get hired by Microsoft?

There are many requirements and then finally there is the interview. Thankfully, the recruiters at Microsoft have shared some of the insight on how they hire people and have a few tips to offer to prospective employees. We pick 10 that you should follow in case one day you find yourself appearing in an at interview at Microsoft's office. They won't guarantee that you will be hired but they sure will improve the chances.

1. Brush up your basics first: "Practice your coding, design and algorithms, and always validate or test your solutions," suggests recruiter Abby Arvanitidis, who hires engineering and programme management candidates for OneDrive and SharePoint. Remember, you can't build a great building on a weak foundation!

2. Review your resume: Abby also suggests going through your resume first. You would not want to look like someone with a completely different identity than what your resume says about you. You should be able to give real examples from your past projects and companies.

3. Internet for in-person interview: In case if you are going to have a phone or Skype interview, you must have a good internet connection before you go for a personal interview. Recruiters ask the candidate to code in personal interviews.  For that purpose your phone needs to have Code editor - a text editor program that allows interviewers to see your screen and watch you deliver your work on time.

4. Enthusiasm and expectation: Seema Chandrasekharan, recruiter for Outlook, Office 365 and Enterprise Cloud, says that knowing about your expectations helps the recruiter to take better decisions for you. So, be opportunistic and try finding out what you can from your recruiter.

5. Go ahead, show off:  Your interview is an opportunity to show your best traits to the recruiter. When in Microsoft, Chandrasekharan suggests that you show off with the help of these seven traits:

a.  Look interested in technology

b. Be innovative

c. Be creative

d. Be adaptive

e. Try to show problem-solving abilities

f. Be analytical in thinking

g. Handle your feedback well

6. Strong communication skills: Good communication is all about listening and also letting the person know you heard what was said. "I've seen more than a handful of occasions where candidates have accidentally answered different questions than they were asked, or have over complicated their answers due to a communication mix-up," shares recruiter Yamaguchi.

7. Ask your interviewer: It is important to understand that job interviews are two-ways streets. So, make sure you ask questions to your interviewer regarding your interests, your work process and what is important to you. The recruiter might try some mind tricks but certainly can't hack your mind!

8. Check your work: Always check your work before you go for final submission. The habit of revising your test paper before the submission can always help you score some extra points.

9. Keep it simple: Chandrasekharan suggests you to consider the logicality of your solution and avoid making it too complex.  Clear steps of solution also reflect how clear you are in your line of thinking.

10. Be yourself: Last but not the least-be yourself. Take pride in what you are, and feel good about it. Yamaguchi also suggests you to be quick in thinking and receptive to feedback as it shows that you have potential to soar high.

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