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Holy shit.
So here's the story. Once upon a time in a land far far away...
There was a little Vietnamese restaurant. We all called it the Kirkland Pho House. I don't actually know the real name of the place, either way this is where the story starts. My girlfriend used to work at the Kirkland Pho House, and boy was the Pho delicious. I love pho, and I love eating at the Kirkland Pho House. Apparently so do young Microsoft employees who find the waitresses attractive.
One day a Microsoft employee met my girlfriend and her waitress friend named Tuyen. Soon after my girlfriend met this Microsoft employee, who's name is Mark. So Mark Tuyen and my girlfriend all get to know one another, and after some time passes I meet the guy as well. Turns out he's just a really awesome programmer from Australia who now works down the road from myself.
Knowing about the school I attend (which is also down the street) Mark takes interest in the studies I had been doing at the time. I was just making some simple games in Ascii Art game within the Window's Console at the time, but Mark really enjoyed them.
Fast forward, Mark tries to nudge me into an interview by contacting a recruiter. Mark's words about the response were: "kafkaesque email". I didn't even know that was a word. I mean sure Kefka was a douche, but it's actually a word too. This email that Mark had received back was pretty dry and sharp. Basically the recruiter wasn't having any of these pesky suggestions that Mark was trying to present. I was out of luck as far any interview.
This happened months ago, and I've already made a lot of other plans for this summer. Today I received a silly looking email in my inbox! I thought it was spam at first; the title is something like "Internship selection". I've gotten a bit of spam lately about selection for global committee and whatnot and almost deleted the email. The contents of the email were all a bunch of badly formatted and broken text as well. Out of the corner of my eye I see that the email has a word document attached.
Now usually spam emails and scams don't attach documents, probably just to save bandwidth or whatever. So this document attached caught my eye and I decided to read a little more. I click on my email client's "Display images and content" button to correct the horrendously filtered and broken text. To my surprise it was a legitimate interview offer!
Holy shit. Months and months have passed and I've completely dismissed my chances at interviewing at Microsoft. Then out of the blue I almost delete the email that could potentially lead to my graduation hire. Apparently Microsoft's recruiters are often times on contract, and so the Kefka-emailer had been swapped out for a nice bubbly new lady, who apparently liked my resume! Isn't that crazy?
I'm having the first interview next week for software engineering. My girlfriend has one right before myself, too! Oh man I've got some preparing to do. Wish me luck!
  
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GLHF! seriously, that's awesome :D
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what kind of a job would you do at MS?
oh and how long did it take you to write the ascii game?
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On February 14 2013 14:25 Roe wrote:
what kind of a job would you do at MS?
oh and how long did it take you to write the ascii game?
I made one in my first semester, and an engine after that in about 3 weeks. They're up on my blog if you wanna check em out! I'm interviewing for a software engineering position 
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Gl in your interview! If you get the job, I'll see you in Redmond!
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nice cecil, while you are enjoying your internship over the summer i shall be studying my brains out for pcat
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Holy shit yes!!! :D
Joining the ranks of awesome TL programmers in redmond (or at least interning there!)
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Gongrats man! Hope this works out for you, microsoft is a pretty badass place to work if you get in.
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Wow, congratulations :O What a huge step :D
Glhf!
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Congrats! Will you be pursuing anything game oriented there? Anything specific in mind?
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On February 14 2013 16:03 shindigs wrote:
Congrats! Will you be pursuing anything game oriented there? Anything specific in mind?
Well I wanted to go to Microsoft Research, but I don't think they have interns. I'm highly interested in interactive entertainment software as well. We'll see! I need to do more research.
On February 14 2013 14:32 Chairman Ray wrote:
Gl in your interview! If you get the job, I'll see you in Redmond!
Whaaaa? SWEET
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Good luck! <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
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Today i learned a new word !
Grats aswell of course 
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as soon as i read "kefkaesque" all i could imagine the entire time reading this post was a little pixalated clown cackling at a computer desk sending poorly written emails.
Grats on interview best of luck!
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Woow, well done man :D Best of luck with everything :D
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Congrats man. You can take this chance, I'm sure of it
Anyone who likes our traditional food deserves the best xD
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I'm interviewing in March as well, for a full time PM role though. Maybe we could get hired on the same team  .
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Really sweet, kinda makes me feel jealous
Good luck, dude~
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Good luck, honestly. I hope you do well, although MS is a terrible environment to work at.
But, is it really worth making a blog that you got an interview though, through a hook-up at that? Not to mention you're given a leg-up since you have an MS employee to vouch for you lol. Seriously, I don't get the shock. I applied to MS online and they gave me an interview haha. Not knowing anyone, etc.
IIRC, Microsoft was one of the companies that gave me an offer last year for an internship, but I went with Intel. I made the right decision.
In any case, I wish you the best of luck with the interview. It's a combination of things that lead to getting a job offer, but one main factor is if you get a nice interviewer and easy technical questions, you're guaranteed a job. If you get a nazi, you can go beast mode on the interview and still get rejected.
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Thanks for all the good luck wishes guys!
On February 15 2013 06:28 JudicatorHammurabi wrote:
But, is it really worth making a blog that you got an interview though, through a hook-up at that?
Why not? It's exciting! I like writing blogs about things that interest me that I think other people will enjoy reading, or that could help other people somehow.
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are you good at sc2? will we see you in AHGL?
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On February 15 2013 06:43 Szgk wrote:are you good at sc2? will we see you in AHGL?
LOL uhm I think that's for full-time employees xD
And yeah I'm okay at SC2
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On February 15 2013 06:47 CecilSunkure wrote:
LOL uhm I think that's for full-time employees xD
And yeah I'm okay at SC2
Well I'm sure you'll make it up there
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Very glad for you! Hope you get the internship!
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On February 15 2013 06:35 CecilSunkure wrote:Thanks for all the good luck wishes guys! Show nested quote +On February 15 2013 06:28 JudicatorHammurabi wrote:
But, is it really worth making a blog that you got an interview though, through a hook-up at that? Why not? It's exciting! I like writing blogs about things that interest me that I think other people will enjoy reading, or that could help other people somehow.
Yeah, don't mind me. I didn't mean to come across as raining on the party. Maybe it's that I've done so many interviews, that getting an interview is no big deal at all. I've never had one via some kind of contact and back story, so I guess it would be more special if I got an interview in that manner haha.
At this point, it's hard for you to fuck up. A Microsoft employee got you an interview, and most likely is having something to do with the recruiters/interviewers. In other words, you're set, but make sure you really prepare (as I imagine you're doing).
Don't believe me that you have some kind of leg-up? I can tell you a hundred stories. One set of stories comes from a professor at my school who personally knows recruiters from various companies, and tells the tutors who work for him to e-mail them and tell the recruiters he sent them. They're not only guaranteed an interview (unless their GPA is abysmal), they also get a HUGE leg-up over most other candidates since said professor vouches for them. Hell, to talk about extremes, the professor pretty much handed like 10 of them Facebook internships last year, since he is really close with people from FB apparently.
You would have to fuck up really bad not to get an internship/job. But I don't want you to barely make it. I want you to blow them away. Good luck.
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On February 15 2013 08:28 JudicatorHammurabi wrote:Show nested quote +On February 15 2013 06:35 CecilSunkure wrote:Thanks for all the good luck wishes guys! On February 15 2013 06:28 JudicatorHammurabi wrote:
But, is it really worth making a blog that you got an interview though, through a hook-up at that? Why not? It's exciting! I like writing blogs about things that interest me that I think other people will enjoy reading, or that could help other people somehow. Yeah, don't mind me. I didn't mean to come across as raining on the party. Maybe it's that I've done so many interviews, that getting an interview is no big deal at all. I've never had one via some kind of contact and back story, so I guess it would be more special if I got an interview in that manner haha. At this point, it's hard for you to fuck up. A Microsoft employee got you an interview, and most likely is having something to do with the recruiters/interviewers. In other words, you're set, but make sure you really prepare (as I imagine you're doing). Don't believe me that you have some kind of leg-up? I can tell you a hundred stories. One set of stories comes from a professor at my school who personally knows recruiters from various companies, and tells the tutors who work for him to e-mail them and tell the recruiters he sent them. They're not only guaranteed an interview (unless their GPA is abysmal), they also get a HUGE leg-up over most other candidates since said professor vouches for them. Hell, to talk about extremes, the professor pretty much handed like 10 of them Facebook internships last year, since he is really close with people from FB apparently. You would have to fuck up really bad not to get an internship/job. But I don't want you to barely make it. I want you to blow them away. Good luck.
Thanks a lot for the kind words man, I appreciate it. I'll be doing some followup blogs on how things go for sure!
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Congrats man!! :D I too have an interview with microsoft coming up but here in the UK!
Im am sure you will ace it!!!!
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Good luck. I have a mate who works for Microsoft in the US who does software engineering and is Australian is Mark his real name or did you use a fake name for your story?
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That's really awesome, good luck!
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shietttttttt, so jealous with you lol.
gl hf man!
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thedeadhaji
39489 Posts
Congrats! btw is this Kefka or Kafka?
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this situation happens a lot to me too. Applications got rejected, interviews failed and stuffs. Then months later the recruiters contacted again for a second chance. Theres a plethora of reasons to that but why should I care anyway lol.
goodluck bro
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Cecil: is this on-site or an off-site interview?
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Wow, congrats Cecil. You'll surely nail it with your passion for programming. I'm a second year undergraduate studying CS and I've been looking for internships myself, but not to much luck yet.
Best of luck in your interview! This opportunity was bound to come your way sooner or later.
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Gl, I hope you meet another ex-Samsung Khan BW pro
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On February 14 2013 17:35 CecilSunkure wrote:
Well I wanted to go to Microsoft Research, but I don't think they have interns. I'm highly interested in interactive entertainment software as well. We'll see! I need to do more research.
Microsoft Research do take interns! I don't know about the work environment as a standard MS intern, but as a MSR intern it is really great. Over the summer there are a *lot* of great scientist visiting MSR, so there are a lot of interesting seminars, the interns are pretty well cartered for (extra-work activities). I really enjoyed my experience there, good luck with your interview!
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Oh wow, sick, what kind of preparing do you think you'll have to do? I'm studying CS at the moment and my friend who got a interview with google had to do this insane programming test/challenges WHILE answering your regular interview questions.
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On February 15 2013 12:29 thedeadhaji wrote:
Congrats! btw is this Kefka or Kafka?
It's Kafka. I always get confused about this one after playing FF6 haha.
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Sweeeeeeeet! I hope you get the job, as I just got one at Amazon and we could definitely have some TL hangouts later on in Seattle.
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Quick tip: bring a pen and some resumees so you can hand it to the interviewers ncase they only have one! GLHF!
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Though Kefka is kafkaesque in a way so kefkaesque isn't too far off the mark.
Congrats Cecil!
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Oh man that's wonderful! Best of luck, and always keep your attitude positive like it is now, good things will happen believe me!
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On February 16 2013 05:01 Ziken wrote:
Oh man that's wonderful! Best of luck, and always keep your attitude positive like it is now, good things will happen believe me!
Truth.
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congrats!
i recently got hired after 2 interviews for sales support, and they expect me to move up the ladder in the near future
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On February 15 2013 10:09 mcmartini wrote:
Good luck. I have a mate who works for Microsoft in the US who does software engineering and is Australian is Mark his real name or did you use a fake name for your story?
Haha! Nope his name isn't Mark, but it's close to Mark
On February 15 2013 12:29 thedeadhaji wrote:
Congrats! btw is this Kefka or Kafka?
I was referring to kefka
On February 15 2013 13:44 Kambing wrote:
Cecil: is this on-site or an off-site interview?
It's on school campus followed by an on-site interview.
On February 15 2013 19:33 gondolin wrote:Show nested quote +On February 14 2013 17:35 CecilSunkure wrote:
Well I wanted to go to Microsoft Research, but I don't think they have interns. I'm highly interested in interactive entertainment software as well. We'll see! I need to do more research.
Microsoft Research do take interns! I don't know about the work environment as a standard MS intern, but as a MSR intern it is really great. Over the summer there are a *lot* of great scientist visiting MSR, so there are a lot of interesting seminars, the interns are pretty well cartered for (extra-work activities). I really enjoyed my experience there, good luck with your interview!
Wow thanks for the info! I can definitely go for an internship there then.
On February 16 2013 00:43 Advocado wrote:Quick tip: bring a pen and some resumees so you can hand it to the interviewers ncase they only have one! GLHF!
Thanks a lot for the advice
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On February 15 2013 08:28 JudicatorHammurabi wrote:
Yeah, don't mind me. I didn't mean to come across as raining on the party. Maybe it's that I've done so many interviews, that getting an interview is no big deal at all. I've never had one via some kind of contact and back story, so I guess it would be more special if I got an interview in that manner haha.
Kids are told that they're lucky to have a job. Good luck with the interview OP and don't be star-struck or anything, this is business as usual.
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On February 16 2013 05:42 pigmanbear wrote:Show nested quote +On February 15 2013 08:28 JudicatorHammurabi wrote:
Yeah, don't mind me. I didn't mean to come across as raining on the party. Maybe it's that I've done so many interviews, that getting an interview is no big deal at all. I've never had one via some kind of contact and back story, so I guess it would be more special if I got an interview in that manner haha. Kids are told that they're lucky to have a job. Good luck with the interview OP and don't be star-struck or anything, this is business as usual.
Haha thanks for the advice It's a big deal to me as usually Sophomores don't have interviews at all, and the alternatives for spending my summer aren't as awesome as interning.
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On February 16 2013 05:39 CecilSunkure wrote:Show nested quote +On February 15 2013 19:33 gondolin wrote:On February 14 2013 17:35 CecilSunkure wrote:
Well I wanted to go to Microsoft Research, but I don't think they have interns. I'm highly interested in interactive entertainment software as well. We'll see! I need to do more research.
Microsoft Research do take interns! I don't know about the work environment as a standard MS intern, but as a MSR intern it is really great. Over the summer there are a *lot* of great scientist visiting MSR, so there are a lot of interesting seminars, the interns are pretty well cartered for (extra-work activities). I really enjoyed my experience there, good luck with your interview! Wow thanks for the info! I can definitely go for an internship there then.
I'm not 100% sure, but according to my classmate who interned in MSR, the only criteria is that you have to be published in atleast one journal (or be in the process of publishing). Of course, the bar is much higher for a full-time job (they expect Ph.Ds), but for internships a publication should be sufficient.
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Good luck man! U gonna get the job ahahh! I would love to work at Microsoft, just for the experience and the quality of the working environment at Microsoft
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Wow! Good luck man! That would be awesome to work at such a sweet company that has such a large impact on today's computing technology!
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Doesn't MS interview ask some strange logic puzzles and unusual questions?
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Thats in the case of all major corporations hiring talent. So yes they do.
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Woot! Inspirational! 5 stars
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On February 16 2013 13:46 fatfail wrote:
Doesn't MS interview ask some strange logic puzzles and unusual questions?
They used to, along with many other tech employers. They don't do that anymore.
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That's pretty incredible luck that you decide to check the contents of that email, I for sure have missed emails simply thinking they were spam!
Good luck to you! :D
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Awesome! I hope you get it. I'll be interning there for this first time this summer Prep well for the interview though.. careercup.com is your friend. GLGL
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On February 16 2013 14:19 Chairman Ray wrote:Show nested quote +On February 16 2013 13:46 fatfail wrote:
Doesn't MS interview ask some strange logic puzzles and unusual questions? They used to, along with many other tech employers. They don't do that anymore.
Whoa, really? That's very interesting--how come they don't do that anymore? I remember reading some past TLer blogs about their [successful!] gamut of interviews there, and they talked about all the harrowing questions and what have you.
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On February 16 2013 17:30 Aerisky wrote:Show nested quote +On February 16 2013 14:19 Chairman Ray wrote:On February 16 2013 13:46 fatfail wrote:
Doesn't MS interview ask some strange logic puzzles and unusual questions? They used to, along with many other tech employers. They don't do that anymore. Whoa, really? That's very interesting--how come they don't do that anymore? I remember reading some past TLer blogs about their [successful!] gamut of interviews there, and they talked about all the harrowing questions and what have you.
I read in a few tech blogs that they stopped doing that because it was poorly gauging the candidate's coding skills. The most common type of programming interview question now is on simple data structures. For data structures such as linked lists and trees, candidates are able to provide an answer within the allotted time frame, and there would still be a high variability between the qualities of each candidate's solution. In my interview with Microsoft last month, every question was programming with data structures.
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I got asked Logic Puzzles and Unusual Questions, and I interviewed last year. Good Luck on your interview, their process is very odd but at least it's quick unlike Google's.
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On February 16 2013 13:46 fatfail wrote:
Doesn't MS interview ask some strange logic puzzles and unusual questions?
I had to do a set of weird logic tests online before I got my interview. However we have a really basic form of that kind of test before we go to secondary school in some parts of the UK so I was fairly prepared for it, albeit those tests were around 10 years ago. I can imagine it being pretty tricky I hadn't done similar things already.
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On February 16 2013 18:08 Chairman Ray wrote:Show nested quote +On February 16 2013 17:30 Aerisky wrote:On February 16 2013 14:19 Chairman Ray wrote:On February 16 2013 13:46 fatfail wrote:
Doesn't MS interview ask some strange logic puzzles and unusual questions? They used to, along with many other tech employers. They don't do that anymore. Whoa, really? That's very interesting--how come they don't do that anymore? I remember reading some past TLer blogs about their [successful!] gamut of interviews there, and they talked about all the harrowing questions and what have you. I read in a few tech blogs that they stopped doing that because it was poorly gauging the candidate's coding skills. The most common type of programming interview question now is on simple data structures. For data structures such as linked lists and trees, candidates are able to provide an answer within the allotted time frame, and there would still be a high variability between the qualities of each candidate's solution. In my interview with Microsoft last month, every question was programming with data structures.
Ah, I see, gotcha! Thanks, really fascinating stuff how they go about selecting employees and gauge the ability of potential applicants and everything, especially in as competitive an industry as tech.
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China6331 Posts
Getting interview from MS itself is a great achievement, gratz man!
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WEll..that is potentially life changing! GL To you man
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GL Cecil! I wonder how many members of TL work at Microsoft now :o
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To be honest, I expected different outcome when you mentioned that he met the 2 girls. :D
Anyway, good luck!
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EPT
