Microsoft | Software Engineer | Interview Experience
Interview Date: Not specified
Result: Not specified
Difficulty: Not specified
Interview Process
I had a tech phone screen interview for the SDE 2 role at Microsoft. The interview was structured into two main parts: coding questions and system design questions.
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The coding part included a classic problem known as the “Island Problem.” I was asked to find the number of islands in a grid represented by a 2D array, which required performing a DFS traversal. The interviewer focused on my understanding of graph traversal algorithms and my ability to optimize for space and time complexity.
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The second part involved database retrieval design, where I was asked to design a simple database schema for a library management system. This included discussing relationships between different entities such as books, authors, and borrowers.
The interviewer provided hints and guidance throughout the interview, making it easy for me to ask questions or seek clarification when needed. Overall, it was a great experience that allowed me to showcase my problem-solving and technical skills.
Technical Questions
- Number of Islands (DFS, BFS, Graph)
- Design a Library Management System (Database, Design)
Tips & Insights
Be prepared to discuss both coding and system design in detail. Practicing common algorithms and database design principles can be very beneficial.