Microsoft Software Engineer 2 - Web API Interview Experience Share

6. System Design

CandipublishDates are asked to design end-to-end systems or explain the architecture of a data-intensive application.

Example: “How would you design a recommendation system for a new e-commerce platform?“

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1. Online Assessment / Screening Test

Technical Questions: The initial screening is typically done through an online assessment. This often includes coding problems related to data structures and algorithms, as well as questions on Web API development.

Example Topics:

• Arrays
• Strings
• Linked Lists
• Graphs

A common question might involve algorithms to manipulate strings or arrays, such as reversing a string or finding the smallest missing integer.

Web API Specifics: Expect questions on designing or optimizing web-based APIs, such as handling authentication/authorization or error management.

Coding Challenge: Most candipublishDates report using LeetCode or similar platforms for preparation. You’ll typically be asked to solve problems in languages such as C#, Java, or Python.

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2. Technical Phone Screen

Coding Round: This is the first phone screen where you’ll solve coding problems live, often on a shared Google Doc or via a collaborative coding platform.

API Design: Expect to design a simple RESTful API or discuss how to handle API versioning, response codes, and error handling.

Example Problem: “Design an API to manage user accounts (e.g., login, registration, and password reset). Explain your decisions around security, data validation, and scalability.”

Data Structures and Algorithms: CandipublishDates are often tested on algorithmic challenges like searching, sorting, and recursion.

Example Problem: “Given a matrix, print its elements in spiral order.”

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3. Onsite Interviews (or Virtual)

Round 1: System Design

• In this round, you will design a larger system, such as a scalable web application or a cloud-based service.
• You will be asked about designing RESTful APIs with scalability, fault tolerance, and security considerations.

Example Question: “Design an API for a URL shortening service like Bit.ly. What would you need to consider for scale and security?”

Round 2: Web API Deep Dive

• Focus on Web API concepts, particularly building efficient, scalable, and secure APIs.
• You may be asked about authentication mechanisms (JWT tokens, OAuth), API rate limiting, or handling CORS and caching in REST APIs.

Example Question: “How would you handle an API that needs to authenticate and authorize users from different domains?”

Round 3: Coding Problem

• Expect a more algorithmic or coding challenge that could relate to solving a problem with dynamic programming, graph algorithms, or linked lists.

Example Problem: “Given a linked list, reverse it in groups of k nodes.”

Round 4: Behavioral Interview

• This round assesses your soft skills, teamwork, and problem-solving approach.
• You’ll be asked about your past experiences with collaboration, conflict resolution, and your approach to building Web APIs in a team setting.

Tips: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.

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4. Example Questions

Web API Specific:

• “Design an API to track user activity on a website.”
• “How would you ensure your API is secure and scalable?”
• “Explain how you would implement pagination and filtering in a REST API.”

Coding Challenges:

• “Given an array, find the two numbers that add up to a specific target.”
• “Implement a function that compresses a string by counting consecutive characters.”
• “Reverse a linked list in k groups.”

System Design:

• “Design a scalable file upload API for a cloud storage service.”
• “How would you design a notification system with real-time push notifications?“

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5. Preparation Tips

• Data Structures and Algorithms: Focus heavily on array manipulation, linked lists, graphs, and dynamic programming problems. Use LeetCode, HackerRank, or similar platforms.

• API Design: Understand the fundamentals of RESTful APIs, including HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE), authentication strategies, rate limiting, and error handling.

• System Design: Practice designing scalable systems with emphasis on microservices, cloud technologies (preferably Azure), and load balancing.

• Behavioral: Prepare by reflecting on past projects where you designed or worked with APIs. Be ready to explain how you handled challenges like cross-functional collaboration or technical roadblocks.

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6. Final Thoughts

The Microsoft Software Engineer 2 position, particularly for Web API, demands proficiency in coding, system design, and web architecture. Emphasize your knowledge of scalable architectures, RESTful API design, and secure API practices. Solid preparation in both technical and behavioral aspects will help you excel.