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May 9, 2003
Regretful Retraction
It was a tough decision for me to make as a weblogger, but after careful consideration I've decided to pull the Microsoft interview questions and advice from this website. I realize would-be Microsoft interviewees make up a significant percentage of my reading audience, so let me explain why I came to this decision.
First of all, I am now a Microsoft employee, and as an employee I have certain responsibilities to the company. Although this is a personal weblog, the interview articles potentially crossed the line into non-disclosure territory. I choose to err on the side of caution and remove the articles.
Secondly, as a Microsoft employee, I will have the chance to be an interviewer myself, and having these articles on my personal site may compromise the interview process. Obviously I wouldn't use the same questions I described in the articles, but as an interviewer, I don't think it would be appropriate to give out advice. No, Microsoft did not request the information be removed, it's a judgment call.
Thirdly, Despite several blog entries, plus an entire article devoted to general interview advice, I continued to get emails asking for specifics. No, I don't know what interviews are like for any position other than the one I was interviewed for. I'm sorry, I can't help you if you're being interviewed for a Software Test Engineer, a Program Manager, a contract employee or cafeteria staff. Also, by asking me questions already answered in my advice article, you are demonstrating that you do not know how to properly conduct research, or value other people's time.
Now I realize I violated the #1 rule in weblogging: don't alienate your audience. I apologize if I seem cold-hearted. I wish all Microsoft interviewees luck and hope they do well, but considering out of the dozen or so people who emailed me for advice, not a single one ever emailed me to let me know if my advice was helpful. I originally put this information up because it was an interesting and frustrating experience I thought people would enjoy. I didn't intend to become the authority on Microsoft interviews. I'm sorry if I mislead any of you.
Again, this rant wasn't intended at anyone in particular, it was mainly to save my own ass. If you disagree with my decision, or think I'm a big jerk and will never read this site again, I invite you to email me and discuss it.