Why do you want to join Microsoft?

Updated May 18, 2026

Short answer

Be specific and personal: connect your skills and interests to what Microsoft actually builds, its mission, and the scale/impact of the work. Avoid generic flattery — name a product, team, or problem at Microsoft that genuinely excites you and tie it to your background.

Deep explanation

This screens for motivation fit and whether you've done your research.

Mission & products: show you understand what Microsoft does and why it matters to you.
Scale & impact: express excitement about the engineering challenges at Microsoft's scale.
Growth & people: mention learning from strong peers and Microsoft's culture.
Specificity: reference a concrete team, product, or initiative at Microsoft. Generic answers read as a template.

Real-world example

"I've followed Microsoft's work closely and have used products in this space myself. The combination of scale, the problems Microsoft is solving, and the chance to learn from this engineering team is exactly the environment I want to grow in — and it lines up directly with what I've been building."

Common mistakes

- Generic praise ("Microsoft is the best company") with no specifics
- Focusing only on perks/compensation
- No link between your background and what Microsoft does
- Not researching an actual team or product

Follow-up questions

Which Microsoft product or team interests you most?
What concerns you about the role?
Where do you want to grow in year one?