Is the Microsoft interview online or offline?

Microsoft interviews are typically conducted both online and offline, depending on the stage of the interview and your location. Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies, including Microsoft, have shifted to virtual interviews as a common practice.

Online Interviews

Most of the initial stages of the Microsoft interview process are conducted online. This includes:

• Technical phone interviews: You may solve coding problems through a shared coding platform.
• Virtual interviews: For system design and behavioral questions, platforms like Microsoft Teams or Zoom are commonly used.
• Technical assessments: These may include coding challenges through platforms like Codility or Hackerrank.

Offline (Onsite) Interviews

If you pass the initial stages, Microsoft may invite you for an onsite interview, though it is increasingly common for these to still be virtual:

• Onsite interviews: If onsite, you’ll visit a Microsoft office and go through multiple rounds, including system design, coding, and behavioral interviews.
• Hybrid options: Depending on location and preference, some interviews may offer the flexibility of choosing between online and offline.

Conclusion

While most Microsoft interviews are conducted online today, onsite interviews may still occur, especially for final rounds or for local candidates. Always be prepared for both formats, and focus on delivering clear and concise answers whether online or in-person.

To help prepare, consider practicing with resources like Grokking Modern Behavioral Interview or Grokking the System Design Interview from DesignGurus.io.