How long to wait after Microsoft interview?

After a Microsoft interview, waiting for feedback can be stressful. Microsoft’s timeline for responding depends on various factors like the role, team, and how quickly the internal review process happens. Knowing how long to wait, and when it’s appropriate to follow up, can help ease the uncertainty.

Typical Waiting Period

• Initial Interview Rounds: If you completed early rounds like phone screenings or technical assessments, you typically hear back within 5-7 business days. The hiring team usually aims to keep the process moving quickly in these early stages.

• Final Rounds: After completing the final round, especially if you’ve interviewed for a senior position, the feedback may take 1-2 weeks. This longer wait is due to the internal review process, which involves gathering feedback from all interviewers, discussing candidates, and finalizing decisions.

Factors That Affect Response Time

1. Internal Deliberation: After the final interviews, hiring managers and teams need time to review feedback and make decisions. In some cases, multiple candidates are compared, which can take time.

2. Hiring Urgency: If the role you’re applying for is urgent, the decision may come faster. Conversely, if the team is not in a rush to hire, the waiting period can be longer.

3. Background Checks: For certain roles, Microsoft might conduct background checks after the final round. This can add a few extra days to the waiting period before an offer is extended.

When and How to Follow Up

If you haven't heard back after two weeks, it’s reasonable to send a polite follow-up email to your recruiter or the hiring manager. In your email:

• Express gratitude for the opportunity.
• Reiterate your excitement for the role.
• Kindly ask for an update on the hiring process.

A good time to follow up is 10-14 days after your interview.

What to Do While Waiting

1. Continue Your Job Search: While waiting, keep exploring other opportunities. Even if you feel confident, it's always wise to have multiple options available.

2. Prepare for the Next Steps: If you're confident about the interview, use the waiting period to prepare for salary negotiations or any potential onboarding process.

Conclusion

Typically, candidates hear back from Microsoft within a week to two weeks after interviews. If the waiting period exceeds this, sending a polite follow-up is acceptable. In the meantime, continue preparing and exploring other opportunities.

For more tips on interview preparation, consider checking out Grokking Modern Behavioral Interview or Grokking Tech Salary Negotiations to sharpen your approach while you wait.