Interviewing with Microsoft
I applied to Microsoft for the post of Software Engineer II in Nigeria and I got selected to go through the screening process. I was first sent an online technical assessment via Codility which I took and scored 89%, after the test I was invited to three technical interviews with three different engineers at Microsoft. Before the interview, the recruiter invited all applicants (about 12 of us) to a pre-interview call where he shared tips and expectations during the interview. During the call, one of the applicants asked the recruiter if he has any hint the number of positions open for this role and the interviewer made it clear that there was only one position of which one of us may fill. I attended the interviews and did extremely well based on my experience. They were all typical coding interviews, two coding questions for the first two interviews and one coding question and few behavioural questions for the last interview. After about a month of completing the interviews, I got an email from the recruiter for the next interview with Principal Manager Microsoft Nigeria office. This interview focused on System design, design patterns and paradigm as well as behavioural and leadership questions. The manager was so happy with my performance and from that I got a hint that he was satisfied. Few days later I got an email from the recruiter asking me of my current notice period which I responded to. The recruiter reached out recently for a pre-offer call as he called it and we just had it few hours before writing this post. During the call he congratulated me on making it to the offer stage and beating the rest of the applicants we started the journey together and then mentioned that they're no longer offering me the position of Software Engineer II but rather Software Engineer I (which is the entry level at Microsoft) and that he was going to present the offer to me during the call but he needed to hear about my expectations. I clearly told him that I'm not going to accept it considering the fact that I have six years of solid experience and did extremely well in all the companies I have worked on as clearly highlighted in my CV, so I don't see the reason why they would want to return me to square one after building a solid career. He defended this with a point that the expectation at Microsoft is higher than the companies I worked with and Microsoft is a great place so starting up again is not a bad idea. Well, I responded that it still does not make sense that they should employ me at same level they do for fresh graduates out of school, and went ahead to inform him about my ongoing interviews with Facebook and Google both in London, and if they insist on their initial proposal then I might just have to hope and consider whichever work between Facebook and Google. After a long back and forth, he concluded that he would go and come up with a solid offer to present in the coming days, that I should wait and see what he'll come up with. The main problem is that Microsoft Nigeria does not pay the international standard, they just add above the country's average. For example, Microsoft Engineer I in the US earns above 100K a year, in Nigeria the figure is not up to 25K a year which is below what I earn as a senior engineer in my current company, and I'll be happy to share with the recruiter. Now, I have these questions and also need advice from you guys. 1. Is it a common recruiters trick to downgrade candidate in a bid to negotiate the cheapest deal for their client? 2. In the case where he comes up with an offer a little bit above my current earning (which I suspect much), is it okay to reject it outright and demand for more? 3. What do you think about the starting afresh thing in a big company like Microsoft? As I stated, I'm currently a senior software engineer in a standard company in Nigeria, I have a first class CS degree and have been working in the industry for the past six years. Your response is highly appreciated guys. #microsoft #interview #nigeria #tech #engineering #software #swe
You lost me at Nigeria 😅 You can't do anything other than bring a competing offer to prove your worth. Talk is cheap, show them the competing offer - they will never pay you anything close to MS, USA but level & pay can be improved.
Yeah I agree, I don't have any competing offer for now, I'm going to do virtual onsite with Meta next week and I'm just starting up with Google.
I won't take the offer if they can't atleast meet my current level. Unless you want the brand name and opportunity to move to the states via company
Wow, I had no idea Microsoft was low balling like that in Nigeria. Pretty messed up. Don't take it. You are right. Know your worth.
Microsoft low balls in America compared to the competition too. :/
And they just opened a new multimillion dollar office last week. I thought the staffing structure will also get better, but...
Don't take it.
It's not fair play. Don't take it even if you don't get any competing offers (I really hope you do, though). It's demand and supply, yes but HRs cry foul if the tables are turned. Looks like MS is trying to leverage that. Stick to your guns, man From your post, I feel you are prepared enough and you'll definitely crack something soon. Best of luck OP
They take advantage of the fact that in Nigeria people are generally being underpaid, so they also built on that. Most cases, they sell the brand. Thanks for your encouragement man, I'll try my best
I'm a fellow North African, I had a similar experience about 13 years ago with Microsoft, back then I had almost 4 years of experience, and I didn't know better about levels at big tech, there were very limited information back then about these things, so I was excited to be offered a position anyway, and I took it with no negotiating whatsoever, having said that I think I had a decent career nonetheless, and in the bigger scheme of things it was worth it. I'm glad you also have options, with other companies lined up, in my case only Microsoft was offering international hiring and visa sponsorship, so do your best in the remaining interviews, and I believe you can do much better that what Microsoft offered
Thank you for sharing your story. It gave me an insider tips. I'll try my best
1. Very common for companies like Microsoft to down level. In fact, Microsoft and Google are famous for down leveling external candidates. People from outside mostly join because they get a brand on the resume. 2. Don’t reject outright, say I’m waiting for another offer and keep the channel open. 3. Assuming you don’t get through other companies, I would say, if you are looking at moving companies in a few years, SE1, SE2 may not matter. Just focus on learning. Join if you get expected TC. You may get the promotion in a couple of years.
Taking note of your answers, very enlightening. I'd wait and see how it goes. Thank you
I understand downleveling is usual but the way it was done to you is just not right. there's always funding and the pay difference from L59-60 to L61-62 (SWE2) is not that huge and coupled with the fact that MSFT doesn't pay US standard it's probably nothing for them to do it. If Manager really wants you he probably can push for it up to higher mgmt (skip or closest VP). plus why go through a software engineer 2 interview loop and get very very strong signals and get offered SWE I offer. I would even argue that it's not a downlevel because the reason you are offered SWE I is because SWE II is no *longer* available (whatever that means). usually downlevel is about your interview perf not the position's availability. If you have Google or Meta, take it. the other thing I see is that you might get stuck at L60 and not promoted for the same bullshit reasons about funding/SWE II's availability. so you end up with 8-9 years of experience and you are now SWE II. it just pisses me off that with all the money it's making it's treating Africans like sh... (to some extent). There's enough money to give you a great offer and allow you to do your best work. in the end it would depend on wherher you can get the other offers. i wish I could say/do something more helpful but good luck!
Wow this is very insightful. I'd wait and see what they'll propose Thank you very much
Hope things worked out well for you, OP
Sorry I have no info but it's Good to see posts from African nations. Rare on blind. Do post your TC when it comes.
Yeah sure I'll do that, thank you much
Reason I clicked. This is the 1st post I've seen out of Africa for tech companies. Nice to get some insight .