I spent about nine months learning to code before I started looking for jobs to see if I might be qualified for them. As you can imagine, I didn’t feel at all prepared for a full-time developer position, which is why I said “possibly.”
But I also wanted to learn more on the job. The tech field is just so large. I struggled to choose what to concentrate on in addition to learning data structures and algorithms.
I created a website for my online portfolio using various technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Flask, and Django. And I decided to try my luck. I was called for some of the junior developer positions I applied for. But nothing came out of it.
I started to feel desperate. The fact that I didn’t have a degree in computer science or work experience as a developer was probably the biggest obstacle for me. I didn’t have any impressive large-scale projects either.
I completed the majority of my projects by using YouTube tutorials. I spent the majority of my time studying LeetCode questions, but I never had the opportunity to demonstrate my abilities because I didn’t land any full interviews until much later in my job search.
That’s when I made the decision to research apprenticeship programs in the hopes that one would help me transition to technology and lessen the likelihood that employers would reject hiring a career-changer like me.
Microsoft Leap Spotlight Series Interview.mp4
Resume, essays, and example interview questions included!
I recently got accepted to the Software Engineer Apprenticeship Program with Microsoft Leap (Redmond, WA location). It’s a 16-week program for people from non-traditional backgrounds breaking into tech. Lots of bootcamp graduates apply, but self-taught programmers, and professionals with a 2+ year career break are also welcome. You just have to know basic code and have previous work experience in any field.
You must submit your resume for the application via a GitHub Gist formatted in Markdown and respond to two essay questions.
I’m a self-taught programmer with no professional software development experience. My master’s in analytics and my programming projects, I believe, helped my application stand out.
Of course, you don’t need a degree to apply to Leap, but I’m just being honest here because I think it may have helped me stand out.
Focus on building projects if you lack a fancy degree or impressive work history. These will help showcase the following:.
Below is the resume I submitted to Leap.
I’m self-conscious about sharing these . They’re a little embarrassing, but back when I was applying, I wish someone had shown me examples of their essays. I hope you guys can appreciate this.
Select a project for the second question that demonstrates your ability to solve problems. I didn’t use a programming example here because I have always used Google, YouTube tutorials, and Stack Overflow to solve all of my programming-related problems. (That demonstrates my familiarity with the internet rather than my ability to solve problems. ).
I chose to do so by describing a project from a previous position. Although unassuming, it demonstrates initiative, cooperation, communication, and other soft skills.
If selected, you’ll have two interviews, 45 minutes each. The interviews will be conducted through Microsoft Teams due to the pandemic.
The Microsoft Teams invites will have your interviewers’ names. To find out more about them, I advise doing a search for them on LinkedIn.
My first interviewer was a Senior Software Engineer. She started the meeting on time. It went something like this:.
I was able to use a hashmap and sorting to easily solve the problem. Here are similar LeetCode questions:.
You can answer the query posed to me if you can answer the preceding questions.
With a few seconds left on the clock, I discovered a workable solution. My interviewer asked if I had any questions for her. I asked two. We went three minutes overtime.
I felt I did good but not spectacular. I solved the problem with guidance. My code was readable but not beautiful.
My second interviewer was a Principal Software Development Engineer. He expressed regret for being four minutes late and consented to an extension if necessary.
We greeted each other before starting the code (there were no behavioral interview questions).
He inquired about my familiarity with graph algorithms before presenting the coding challenge. I answered yes. He clarified that he was asking because not all candidates are at ease using graphs. He had an array/string question prepared in case I didn’t understand graphs, which I thought was really thoughtful.
He proceeded to ask a medium graph traversal question. I solved the problem using DFS. Later, he requested that I develop an iterative solution, which I was also able to do. You can get ready for a similar query by resolving the following LeetCode issues:
There was no time for me to ask the interviewer any questions after he said he enjoyed our session after I solved the problem.
This interview made me feel really good because I had time to solve the problem iteratively and optimize it (I didn’t have time to optimize during interview #1). Also, my code was super clean .
The Leap program states that only simple to moderate technical interview questions will be asked, and they offer some advice on how to prepare: learn basic data structures, such as linked links and binary trees. and basic algorithms. Additionally, I searched Glassdoor, a website where job seekers can anonymously report interview questions, for technical queries asked during prior interviews. Glassdoor reported the same basic data structure and algorithm problems. For a month, I studied for the technical interview for about two hours every other day.
I opted for morning interviews, so I had two straight interviews with a 15-minute break starting at 10 am. Most Microsoft interviews take place in Building 111, where this one did as well. There is an ample parking marked for interview candidates. I checked in and received an interviewee badge in the lobby. Leap administering team was there to meet the candidates. I stayed with other Leap candidates in the waiting area. I saw some candidates studying/reviewing their notes. You may feel anxious as you watch candidates review algorithms in the final moments while you are pacing the lobby, but you should know I believe that right now, all you should do is unwind and be optimistic.
The Leap program is not part of Microsoft. It is an independent company that collaborates with Microsoft and other major technology companies. They rely on outside recruiting firms to carry out the hiring process and handle the legal aspects of the hiring process. I’ve noticed that the recruiting firm that communicated with me about my prior application changed. But the Cohort 16 and 17 were administered by Aerotek. As a brief contractor to Microsoft, third parties like Aerotek manage the apprenticeship program.
We were supposed to go through one month of rigorous in-class training when the program began in March. C# programming, GitHub, the Agile methodology, and other similar concepts would all be covered. The training would take place in Redmond’s Building 25. Following that, apprentices would disperse into their sponsoring teams to complete their three-month apprenticeship.
Again, technical questions were on basic data structure and algorithms. I fully discussed the inquiries and put them into practice using a number of “if” scenarios. I stumbled on the second questions of my first interviewer. I was unable to think of anything pertinent to the question, but I voiced any thoughts that came to me. Then he explained what it meant, and it hit me. Surprisingly, I was aware of the idea, but I was unable to recall it in time. I could see that my inability to remember was caused by my lack of production programming experience. If a problem had arisen during production, I would have had to deal with it and could have provided a timely, accurate response. However, we deal with a similar concept from the SQL side at my current job. I offered to describe a similar idea and procedure in SQL, and did so in great detail. At the conclusion, he inquired about my opinions of current technological trends. Overall, I believe I did well and enjoyed myself.
Rejection
I got rejected the first time I applied to LEAP.
Even though I knew my chances were slim, I was devastated nonetheless My time spent learning LeetCoding was useless at this point. No one wanted to see me whiteboarding. No one asked me to reverse a linked list. I got discouraged and stopped LeetCoding out of frustration. And that was a big mistake on my part.
However, there was a new application period added that was primarily for software engineers before I learned about the rejection. I submitted that application just in case.
One of the biggest changes I added to the second application was that I was taking the AWS Developer Certificate course on ACloudGuru. I stopped spending so much time LeetCoding. I wanted to add more certifications and training to my resume to make up for my lack of a CS degree and tech experience.
And the second time I applied, I received an invitation to an interview.
What is the program structure?
3 Weeks of Classroom time. We are split into groups depending on personal strengths. My group had 5 people. We were given a week to two weeks to finish each person’s C# project. The purpose of the classroom is to familiarize us with teamwork and using Microsoft software. Our primary areas of focus were Object-Oriented Programming, Sprint Planning with Azure Devops, Soft Skills, Algorithms, and numerous general informational meetings. It’s all about us learning and not about competition. This is what our instructors emphasized. My team waited to move on to a new topic until everyone understood it completely.
Then 13 weeks on an actual Microsoft team.
FAQ
How hard is it to get into Microsoft leap?
Less than half of applicants who attend interviews are chosen.
How does the Microsoft LEAP program work?
For those with a basic background in technical training, Microsoft Leap offers an immersive 16-week experience. As part of our company’s Azure, Xbox, Bing, and Office365 projects, Microsoft Leap combines classroom instruction with practical engineering projects.
Do you need experience for Microsoft leap?
Experience in the technical field is not required. Therefore, it is okay if you lack prior experience in the technical field. Make sure to show your experience in some other field.
How long does it take to hear back from Microsoft leap?
*To be admitted to LEAP, you must receive two “yeses” from your interviewers. I am familiar with some people who believed they would succeed and be accepted. So, if you’re concerned that your interview was a disaster, have hope. Step 3: You will receive a response within a week or two.
