SUMMARY
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This text outlines the Microsoft recruitment process, including hiring, assessment tests, and preparation for jobs, internships, and graduate schemes worldwide, including the UK and US.
Our text offers empirically proven practice assessment tests, interviews, and assessment centre exercises that can be used to prepare for and practice the recruitment process and assessment tests.
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Not sure if you should practice to prepare for Microsoft online assessments? Research shows 60-80% of candidates are rejected based on their aptitude test results. It is proven that practice increases your chances of getting hired.
A recent study (Bradley et al., 2019) found that candidates who do not practise assessments tend to fail at the first hurdle of psychometric assessments (54%-84%). This study looked at the Top 100 global employers.
In a nutshell:
Microsoft is known to use three particular aptitude assessment tests, and they are:
You may be rejected after your Microsoft online assessments. These tests sift out 50-80% of candidates. The only proven way to advance to the next round is to practice.
Prepare for your Microsoft recruitment and Microsoft graduate program application by practising recording video interviews and answering common technology interview questions that the Microsoft recruitment team often asks. Ensure your communication is fluent and your responses clear and concise.
To prepare for your Microsoft recruitment interview, practice using the following:
Our practice video interview platform includes competency-based questions specific to the technology industry that will help you in your role at Microsoft when you conduct a mock video interview with yourself in preparation for the assessment test set by your employer (HireVue, Sonru, Pymetrics).
During the interview for Microsoft’s hiring process, answer the test questions using STAR+R (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection).
Microsoft uses various engaging exercises in assessment centres to find suitable candidates. While you can practice for most tests, the following centres are highly recommended:
For your Microsoft final interview, maintain excellent composure, stay calm, and communicate effectively. The recruiters will assess your body language while evaluating your responses.
Continue reading to get answers to the following critical questions:
Looking to practice for your Microsoft online assessment tests? Start your assessment practice with us!
Or, Go Premium with GF and gain access to all our practice assessments in the table above to help ace your Microsoft assessments.
Before we proceed, it is crucial to know a little bit about Microsoft before you apply to the tech firm.
Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in 1975. The technology company has grown to meet the demands of nearly all computing devices, providing every gadget with the software it currently operates with.
This American-owned multinational company employs 228,000 people worldwide and actively participates in various forms of technology and software required in the business world.
Microsoft has subsidiaries across 120 countries, so you can apply for multiple roles when creating your Microsoft application form. Three grades of job roles can be used at Microsoft: early in career and early in the profession.
Below are the roles that you can apply for at Microsoft:
To apply for any of these areas and help ace your upcoming Microsoft assessment tests, it is key to understand their values.
Continue scrolling to learn more about Microsoft values.
Before applying to Microsoft, it is essential that you research their values to understand if they are in line with yours. Microsoft’s values are:
Respect
Microsoft recognises and considers its staff’s diverse backgrounds, treating each one as important.
Integrity
Microsoft boasts of having a workspace that prioritises morality as it promotes honesty, trustworthiness, and ethical relationships amongst its workforce.
Accountability
The tech company takes pride in accepting its decisions, actions, and results.
Having understood Microsoft’s values and what they look for in their applicants, let’s move on to completing your Microsoft application form. Keep reading!
When applying for a role at Microsoft, you start by completing the Microsoft application form. First, create a Microsoft account and complete the form with your details. Then, submit your credentials, including your CV, cover letter, and university information.
Microsoft Application Form
Source: Microsoft Careers
When you fill out your Microsoft application form, include all your skills and ensure they match those listed in the job application. Since you are applying to a technology company, demonstrating your technical or coding skills will enhance your application before the Microsoft online assessments.
Microsoft Application Tip: When applying for a technical position at Microsoft, it is recommended that you ensure to list all your technical skills ((Azure), AI/ML concepts, or database systems) in the CV.
Start and complete your Microsoft application form as early as possible. Since the company receives thousands of applications annually, applying early will help you secure a spot in the Microsoft selection process.
The following are helpful tips that will aid you in passing your Microsoft application process.
Microsoft applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements depending on the Microsoft graduate program they apply for. The company has various departments, each with its own requirements.
For more tips on how to apply to Microsoft, check out our short video:
Once you have completed your application form, you will be required to undertake some Microsoft assessment tests.
The Microsoft assessment tests are crucial to the hiring process, especially for technical or engineering roles. These tests help Microsoft evaluate your technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company.
Below are the common types of Microsoft online assessment tests:
The Microsoft assessment test is estimated to take only 30 minutes to complete the test questions.
Let’s explore what each part of the Microsoft online test entails, starting with the Microsoft situational judgment test.
The Microsoft situational judgment test is a non-technical assessment with fictional scenarios. It evaluates your fit within the company culture, teamwork, problem-solving, and handling ambiguity. Choose carefully, as all responses may seem appealing.
For more information on how to pass your Microsoft test, you can check out our one-minute YouTube video below.
The Microsoft situational judgment test (SJT) measures your decision-making skills, problem-solving abilities, and behavioural tendencies in workplace scenarios. The SJT Microsoft online assessment assesses how well you handle challenging situations that might arise in a professional environment.
Check out our sneak peek into an example Microsoft-style situational test question below!
Microsoft-style Situational Judgement Test Question Example
Follow these five tips to help pass the Microsoft situational judgment test.
Looking to begin your Microsoft recruitment assessment test practice?
The Microsoft logical reasoning test is the following section of the Microsoft online assessment test to be completed.
Are you curious to know what that is about? Keep reading to find out!
The Microsoft logical reasoning test evaluates candidates’ logical reasoning skills as part of the company’s recruitment process. It can be completed in 30 minutes and consists of questions designed to examine candidates’ abilities to understand patterns and sequences.
This Microsoft logical reasoning test is designed uniquely; each pattern can differ, making understanding challenging. The patterns involve the sizes and colors of two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes and their movements.
Watch this short video to learn more about logical reasoning tests to help prepare you for the Microsoft recruitment process.
Feeling prepared to take the Microsoft assessment test? Try our FREE logical reasoning test to help you practice questions similar to Microsoft online assessments. Or, challenge yourself with our example logical reasoning question below.
Microsoft-style Logical Reasoning Test Question Example
Check the bottom of the page for the correct answer to this logical reasoning test question example!
Effectively prepare for your Microsoft online assessment test in these five steps:
Looking for more Microsoft logical reasoning test practice?
After the logical reasoning test, the next Microsoft assessment is the technical assessment. Read on to find out more.
The Microsoft technical test evaluates your ability to solve coding and problem-solving tasks and understand key computer science concepts. It assesses your technical knowledge, programming skills, and approach to problem-solving.
The Microsoft technical test can be completed in 45 to 60 minutes. This important assessment evaluates your technical and coding skills, especially if you are applying to Microsoft, a tech company.
Interested in knowing what it takes to pass the Microsoft Technical Test? Here are 5 tips to help you pass the excursion.
Prepare for your Microsoft technical test with our following top 5 tips:
Looking to test your coding knowledge ahead of the Microsoft technical test?
After passing the three Microsoft recruitment assessment tests, you will be directed to the video interview, which is the next step in the hiring process.
The Microsoft video interview is a recorded online assessment used after initial screenings. Candidates respond to pre-set questions within a time limit, allowing Microsoft to evaluate skills, experience, and role fit without live interaction.
Uncover more insights into the Microsoft video interview with our short video below:
Microsoft’s video interview includes about 15 competency-based questions, each with a 3-minute limit. Expect questions on your resume and motivations, so review your CV and prepare examples showcasing key skills.
Preparing for your Microsoft interview? Practice with Microsoft online assessment questions and receive a detailed analysis of your responses through our Video Interviewing platform.
Follow these tips below to pass the Microsoft video interview questions, which will advance you further in the Microsoft recruitment process.
Having covered the Microsoft video interview and its key aspects, let’s move on to the Microsoft assessment centre.
The Microsoft assessment centre is part of the process. It offers the Microsoft recruitment processes, giving applicants a chance to connect and network with Microsoft professionals and to understand the company’s culture through the perspectives of its employees.
The Microsoft assessment centre contains three exercises:
Stick around and uncover what types of Microsoft assessment centre exercises you will likely participate in during your Microsoft selection process.
The Microsoft group exercise is an assessment used during the hiring process. The assessment centre is designed so Microsoft employees can evaluate how you work in a team setting and approach problem-solving, collaboration, and communication in a group context.
The Microsoft group exercise tests your soft skills, leadership potential, and ability to collaborate effectively with others.
Succeeding in the Microsoft group exercise at an assessment centre requires strong teamwork, strategic thinking, and effective communication.
Here are 5 key tips to help you make a lasting impression.
Prepare for your Microsoft group exercise with our practice Assessment Centre exercises package, which includes group exercises. You’ll also get expert tips to enhance your performance.
Now that you have covered all you need to know to ace your Microsoft group exercise, you are one step closer. Next up is the Microsoft presentation exercise.
The Microsoft presentation exercise is part of the recruitment interview process. It assesses your communication skills, ability to present complex ideas clearly, and ability to engage an audience.
The Microsoft presentation exercise involves preparing a presentation on a specific topic or problem and presenting it to interviewers in a group or one-on-one setting.
The Microsoft presentation exercise requires clarity, confidence, structure, and engagement. Here are 5 tips to help you excel:
Our Assessment Centre package lets you gain real-time experience attempting case study questions. Marking guides will assist you and inform you of what the interviewers might be after.
When you have passed these steps, you will arrive at the Microsoft final interview, determining your success in the Microsoft selection process.
The Microsoft final interview is the last hiring stage, evaluating your technical, behavioural, and cultural fit. Having passed all assessments, this is your chance to showcase your skills, motivation, and passion in person or virtually.
When you begin the Microsoft final interview, you can expect the following:
The Microsoft one-on-one final interview will test your ability to pass the Microsoft selection process, so ensure that you are prepared to display the following skills:
Check out some examples of Microsoft interview questions and answers below!
How to Answer: It is recommended that you reply honestly, as Microsoft strongly values its principles. This question aims to assess your alignment with Microsoft’s culture.
Good Answer:
I’ve always admired Microsoft’s commitment to innovation and its global impact on millions of users. I’m particularly drawn to the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and contribute to products that improve people’s lives.
How to Answer: This Microsoft question tests your ability to handle real-world challenges in a work environment. Consider your past experiences of handling a similar situation. How did these reflect Microsoft’s values?
I would approach the team members with empathy, understanding any potential roadblocks they may face. I’d offer help or reallocate resources if necessary. If the issue persists, I will escalate it to the project manager.
Looking to practice more Microsoft video interview questions? Discover potential Microsoft interview questions and our top tips to practice with our Question Identifier Tool as part of our Go Essential bundle.
Now that you know what to expect during the Microsoft final interview, here are the tips to help you pass the final interview.
Looking for more practice ahead of your Microsoft interview?
Microsoft recruiters should reach out to you after successfully completing all the Microsoft online assessments you have been assigned. Congratulations on your new job!
Before you close the page, wouldn’t you like to know about the Microsoft graduate programs’ requirements and eligibility? Keep reading to learn more!
The Microsoft career schemes provide applicants with an opportunity to enter the tech world and pursue a career at Microsoft. While Microsoft’s headquarters are located in the United States of America, it has career scheme programs available in over 100 countries.
Discover the various career programs and opportunities available through Microsoft’s student and graduate schemes:
Let’s examine the benefits that each of these has to offer!
The Microsoft aspire program is specifically for top-ranking graduates in any field of study. It provides these recent graduates with experience by assigning them projects that will yield a rewarding impact.
The Microsoft aspire program supports recent graduates and early-career professionals. Eligibility varies by region and year but is generally available in the USA, Canada, France, India, China, the UK, Australia, and Germany.
The Microsoft aspire program application is usually open in September annually.
Another early career program you can apply to is the Microsoft internship program. Let’s find out more about this scheme below.
The Microsoft intern program is built to help kickstart the careers of interns looking to work at Microsoft. The interns can learn by being placed in an environment where let’s go. There are two types of internships, namely, commercial internships and engineering internships.
The Microsoft intern program is open to any full-time university student who has been enrolled for at least one term (semester). It is open to students from Japan, the USA, Canada, France, India, China, the UK, Australia, and Germany.
The Microsoft intern program application includes various departments to which applicants can apply. Each department has its own application deadline.
As well as the internships, Microsoft also offers an opportunity for you to start your career with the Microsoft graduate engineering scheme. Read on to find out more!
The Microsoft graduate engineering program is aimed at graduates who are passionate about using technology to create a meaningful impact and drive positive change in the world. There are two types of graduate engineering: software engineering and program management.
The Microsoft graduate engineering scheme is open to anyone interested in building technology to impact millions of lives. Such people must be knowledgeable in C#, TypeScript, or JavaScript.
Brazil, Singapore, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, China, India, Japan, Germany, Canada, and Australia are eligible countries.
The Microsoft graduate engineering program also has several vacancies, each with its own application deadline.
Another graduate role you can apply to at the company is the Microsoft graduate digital sales program. Keep reading to discover more about this opportunity.
The Microsoft graduate digital sales program is open to exceptionally brilliant graduates with problem-solving skills interested in the digital sales department. As graduates, you will work with sales development specialists, technical solution professionals, and account executives to supervise opportunities through the sales cycle.
Microsoft’s graduate digital sales scheme is available to every graduate passionate about assisting and guiding customers in their transition to using innovative technologies. The program is generally open to candidates in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Latin America.
The Microsoft graduate digital sales application date often takes place around September each year.
Microsoft offers a shorter internship program for those looking to expand their experiences through their discovery program.
The Microsoft Discovery Program is a 4-week internship where you gain hands-on project experience, develop professional skills, and receive mentorship. Explore how to turn your interests into a successful career in technology at Microsoft and the broader industry.
Microsoft’s discovery program is available to incoming first-year college students (graduating high school seniors) who reside near Redmond, Washington, or Atlanta, Georgia and are interested in technology.
The application window for the Microsoft discovery program is open only in February of every year.
Another similar program you can apply to to discover more about the company is the Explore Microsoft program. Let’s check out the details below!
Explore Microsoft is a summer internship program that lasts 8 weeks in India and 12 weeks in the US. It is designed for first and second-year college students. During the program, you will actively engage in the key phases of the product development cycle: Design, Build, and Quality.
The Explore Microsoft program is for students early in their academic journey who are interested in software development. It offers hands-on experience for those pursuing Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related fields like IT, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, and Cybersecurity. The program is available to students in India or the USA.
Microsoft regularly updates its website with application deadlines. Check for the latest information and submit your application as early as possible!
And with that, we’ve covered all you’ll need to know about the Microsoft recruitment process. Before you go and ace your tests, don’t miss answers to further questions other candidates are asking.
If you’re selected for an interview, the recruiter will contact you. Response times vary based on the role and application volume, but they typically take a couple of weeks.
You are less likely to face coding challenges for non-technical roles like marketing or finance. Instead, you will encounter case studies or situational questions that test your problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication skills.
Email the Microsoft recruiter within 24-48 hours after the interview to thank them, reaffirm your interest, mention a key interview point, and ask about the next steps. You can also connect with them on LinkedIn with a brief, professional message.
Explore Microsoft’s Careers Page to find job openings that match your expertise. Build your resume to ensure that you are the right fit for the job. Perform the required interviews and assessments, and then wait for your hiring letter if you pass.
Microsoft One Test is an assessment designed to measure a person’s proficiency with various Microsoft 365 applications, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook.
The Microsoft Action Center, now known as the Notification Center in newer versions of Windows, is a feature that includes notifications, alerts, and quick access to key settings.
Do you want to pass your Microsoft recruitment process the first time? Register to take numerical, logical, verbal reasoning and situational judgement practice tests today with GF, the only aptitude practice test experts providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, as well as across Asia and continental Europe. Practice with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests. Example logical reasoning test question answer – C
Do you want to pass your Microsoft recruitment process the first time? Register to take numerical, logical, verbal reasoning and situational judgement practice tests today with GF, the only aptitude practice test experts providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, as well as across Asia and continental Europe.
Practice with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests.
Example logical reasoning test question answer – C
Start Preparing Today