Microsoft Senior Program Manager Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated Apr 25, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 13 ratings 
“Difficult” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 13 ratings
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Senior Program Manager at Microsoft
Posted Apr 25, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2010 (took a day)
Lots of puzzles and product design questions
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through a Recruiter and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Senior Program Manager at Microsoft
Posted Feb 20, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Feb 2012 in Redmond, WA (took 2+ weeks)
Microsoft recruiting is an extremely well run organization. Had a pleasant chat with a recruiter who contacted me out of the blue. Followed up with phone conversations with internal recruiting and the hiring manager. After phone screens, Microsoft provided totally pain free travel for the onsite interview, which consisted of the standard MS "loop." The loop itself was just a series of pleasant conversations with smart people. Received an offer 2 business days after the loop, and happily accepted a compensation package that was on the impressive side of generous. Easily the best recruiting and interview experience I've been through in the software industry.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Felt no need to negotiate. Opening offer matched my expectations exactly.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Senior Program Manager at Microsoft
Posted Nov 15, 2011
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2011 (took 2+ weeks)
Find job on Microsoft Website. Apply online, get call for phone interview. Had several phone interviews
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Senior Program Manager at Microsoft
Posted Sep 2, 2011 — 2 of 2 people found this helpful
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2009 (took a day)
I talked with 6-7 people over the course of the day. Each interview is 1:1 and lasts about an hour. Always ask clarifying questions, confirm with the interviewer that you answered their question, and do not talk too much - allow the interviewer to get all their questions out. Ask clarifying questions. Talk out loud as you explore solutions to interview questions - the interviewer wants to see your thought process as much as whether you get the answer right. Show passion and confidence. Be precise in your answers. Actively use the whiteboard instead of just giving verbal answers. Ask counter questions.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
The level at which you join the company is key. The higher the level, the better the compensation package.
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Senior Program Manager at Microsoft
Posted Mar 9, 2011 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2009 in Redmond, WA (took 2 months)
Recruiter reached out after seeing my profile on Monster. First phone interview - asked me some riddles, then some technical questions. Then got to face to face in Redmond. Flew over to Seattle (all travel arrangements made professionally and administered by a recruiting helper and over web.
I was told I will keep getting more interviews through the day if I do well. I did first two well, third was good but he got mad when I corrected his question. 4th one was lunch and chat. He told me I will receive next set of interviewers but after waiting 20 minutes, the second interviewer came back and sent me back saying there was a snafu. Recruiter confirmed I did not get the job a day later. Expenses were reimbursed promplty after submitting receipts online.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Senior Program Manager at Microsoft
Posted Feb 13, 2011
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2010 in Bellevue, WA (took a day)
Was contacted to do a Technical Phone Screen. Almost two months later got asked to fly up for an interview. Was given a specific position. On the interview day was told that I would be interviewing for several positions on several different teams. Only one of the interviewers was on a team related to the position I was asked to interview for. Had a total of four interviews and was told that was it for the day.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Senior Program Manager at Microsoft
Posted Dec 27, 2010 — 0 of 1 people found this helpful
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jun 2010 in Redmond, WA (took 4+ weeks)
I interviewed in 3 different groups. In each case the interviews were conducted over 1-2 days, consisting of 4-5, hour long, 1:1 interviews. There is much information on the net about Microsoft interview and I'd say the interviews were 'standard' for Microsoft.
What surprised me the most about the interviews was the utter lack of professionalism displayed by the first two teams. A couple of examples:
- a hiring manager didn't show up for a morning interview and didn't bother to call the coordinator or me
- as our rescheduled interview was about to begin, the same manager left me waiting for 15 minutes while he chatted with a team member outside of his office
- a second manager left me standing outside of his office for 30 minutes while he loudly chatted on the phone, feet up on his desk, about his weekend. When we started the interview he offered no apology.
- about half of the interviewers did not review my resume before we started talking
In general, the interviewers were unprepared and unprofessional, even arrogant. I was surprised by the number of sophomoric interview questions and meaningless riddles and almost total lack of interest in exploring my decade+ of highly relevant experience.
While I did accept a position in another group, I'd say the overall experience was extremely disappointing and reflects very poorly on Microsoft's culture.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Senior Program Manager at Microsoft
Posted Dec 14, 2010
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5.0
Very Difficult Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2008 in London, England (United Kingdom) (took 3 days)
Phone interview
Series of 1:1 interviews in one day
Final 1:1 interviews
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Take it or leave it
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Senior Program Manager at Microsoft
Posted Sep 14, 2010
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Feb 2008 in Seattle, WA (took a day)
Microsoft interviews usually consist of 3-5 interviewers from the same discipline the candidate interviews for. They are a mix of technical questions related to programming basics and business decision type questions. The culture varies from group to group, but in general it is a very friendly if geeky experience. They use big white boards and they expect their candidates to use the boards to program or draw architecture boxes and lines. They also expect candidates to vocalize their thought process and ask for clarifying questions. Silence during an interview is bad. Dress codes are very casual so don't bother with a suit unless you're applying for a marketing position.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Senior Program Manager at Microsoft
Posted May 24, 2010
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2010 (took a day)
Was interviewed by Lead Senior Program Manager over phone (1 hour). The guy asked me questions about what I do, my job, program management etc. I think I answered very well. I am an expert in my field. But he just wouldn't care about my responses. I thought questions were pretty easy. He asked me about the 'whole world' and nothing that pertains to the job. At the end he asked me if I had questions. I asked him specific questions about the job - but he wouldn't / couldn't answer properly. I think people at MS don't have good communication skills. Hiring managers at MS really suck. This experience proved insightful; I would never want to work at MS and also the attitude of people at MS explains why the company is going down the drain. My recommendation, don't work at MS; many better companies out there.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through a Staffing Agency and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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