Microsoft UX Designer Interview Guide

The initial step in the process is usually an interview with a recruiter. The interviewer will ask you questions based on your résumé and cover letter in a casual setting. Expect to be questioned about your previous experiences and asked to present your previous work. Communication is the key to success in this situation. 

It's also possible that you'll be given a take-home assignment that you must complete within three days. Your assignment will play a significant role in determining whether or not you will advance to the following round.

For similar UX roles, consider the Google Interaction Designer and Meta Product Designer guides.

• Your previous experience as a UX Designer.
• Your success record in the field.
• The projects you have worked on and how successfully they came out.
• Your adaptability to the work culture.

• Don't make an effort to blend in. Particularly if you are a fresher. Microsoft is a reputable company and respects authenticity. Therefore, rather than trying to fit into a mold, be yourself and you'll have a better chance of making it to the next round.
• Make sure you're communicating clearly and concisely. Your interviewer will specifically screen for strong communication abilities.
• Keep your previous work handy so that you can tackle the subject when it comes up.

• Tell me about your background. Tell me about yourself and why this job is a good fit for you.
• Why are you interested in working at Microsoft?
• How far equipped do you think you are to tackle the pressure of this job?
• What is an ideal work environment for you to work in?
• Let's talk about any previous projects you've done. Is it possible for you to present it right now?

The second round will be a telephonic interview with a hiring manager and some currently working UX Designers. There's a good chance they'll be your future peers, seniors, and other department colleagues. The following are some important things to consider:

• The interview will last about 50 to 60 mins.
• You will be asked several behavioral questions.
• You will be given an opportunity to ask any questions to your interviewer.
• Questions about user research, customer journeys, and usability testing are likely to come up.

• Your ability to think and analyze ideas.
• Your work ethic.
• How well you take challenges and deadlines.
• Your research of the role.

• The interviewer may inquire about a recent project you worked on and request that you discuss it in depth. Prepare to delve deeper into the subject, presenting all of your opinions and knowledge.
• You should have a thorough understanding of web technologies and best practices as well as a critical comprehension of the implications on user-centered design and functionality. You must be detail-oriented, at ease working in highly technical teams, efficient at making decisions based on facts, and capable of managing several projects in a fast-paced setting. Broaden your expertise with the Facebook UX Researcher and Google UX Researcher guides.

• How would you design a door for a visually impaired individual?
• Tell me how you will calculate conditional probability?
• What do you mean by regularization in ML?
• What is your biggest blunder and how did you fix that?
• What do you consider to be the most difficult challenge you've faced in your career?
• Consider mentioning the differences between random forest and gradient boosting.
• How do you generally collaborate with others?
• How will you create a Lyft app that is accessible to people with disabilities?

A series of on-site interviews is the final stage of the interview process. Typically, there are four to five interviews, which include a portfolio review and one-on-one interaction with designers. These interviews are the most important and can prove to be a game-changer. Thus, they should be treated seriously. One of the interviews will be focused completely on your prior projects, their presentation, and your performance in the take-home assignment (if given). Note that:

• Each interview will be about 45 to 50 minutes.
• The recruiter will remain in touch with you all along and take you through the process.
• Interviewers will make notes on whether or not you should be hired. Each of them will have access to your notes from past interviews.
• The portfolio review will be an hour long.
• You will have a chance to have lunch with the already working designers and interact with them about the work environment and culture.
• If you receive a majority of the interviewers' recommendations, you will be invited to the final interview, where you will have the opportunity to ask insightful questions and showcase your passion for Microsoft.

• If you are meant for the job profile and your experience.
• Your knowledge about the firm.
• If you are a good fit and have enough knowledge and skills.
• How dedicated you are towards your customers.
• How you plan to apply the value of design to their firm.

• You'll be responsible for leading UX Design for a variety of projects across our product suites, including designing important interactions and workflows; developing and maintaining thorough user-interface specifications; and working directly with developers to see your design through to deployment. Therefore, be certain to express your dedication towards it. Consider reviewing technical program management with the Microsoft Program Manager guide.
• Microsoft's product teams are typically quite fast-paced, and employees may feel overburdened with work responsibilities. Make sure to display your ability to work under pressure.
• Leadership qualities are something else that Microsoft looks for in a candidate. Put your best foot forward and show them that if given the opportunity, you can lead a team.

• How did you get into the field of design?
• Do you know what makes for an excellent user experience?
• How would you redesign a popular dating app to make it more useful during the pandemic?
• Tell us about some of your favorite UX examples.
• How do you ensure that your design decisions are sound?
• Do you know what UX is and what it isn't?
• When it comes to problem-solving, what do you think?
• Tell me about a project that was difficult for you. What strategies did you use to get past the challenge?
• Design a mobile app to assist singles in finding a safe roommate in a big city.
• What research methods do you implement?
• Do you work well in a group setting?
• Tell me about the most/least successful UX design project you've ever worked on.
• How would you improve our product's user experience?
• Can you design something from the Designercize prompt generator?
• What according to you is the next big trend in UX design?
• What do you do when you're under extreme stress? Are you able to back up the skills on your resume?
• Create a kid-friendly app for a shop that specializes in customized teddy bears.
• Tell me any five skills that are necessary for a UX Designer to have.