CrackingWalnuts
Checked 3 August 2026. Microsoft does not publish its interview structure. Everything on this page is commonly reported by candidates, so treat it as a guide rather than a specification.
| Round | Duration | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Screen (Coding) | 45 to 60 min | One medium problem. Clarify before coding. |
| Coding Round 1 | 60 min | Medium algorithm with behavioral woven in. |
| Coding Round 2 | 60 min | Different problem space. |
| Code Review / Refactor | 60 min | Review and improve existing code. |
| As Appropriate (AA) / Hiring Manager | 60 min | Background, motivation, team fit. Invited if earlier rounds went well. |
Targeted guidance per round in this loop. Each section links to the matching track on the site. There is no shortcut list, the bar moves loop to loop, so build the pattern recognition and the stories from real practice.
Work the pattern templates until the recognition is instant. Trace one mock problem per pattern. Practice stating time and space complexity out loud before you write code.
Fresher / new-grad bar. Build 4-6 strong stories from internships, capstone projects, hackathons, or side work. Lead with a clean 90-second career story, one project you owned end to end, and one failure you can defend honestly. Microsoft probes Model-Coach-Care and Growth Mindset; frame stories accordingly.