Mahima Hans

How I started at Microsoft and my interview experience-

Microsoft was always my dream company and since my first year in college, I was preparing to get there. Finally, I got an internship offer from Microsoft back in 3rd year, so the summer after my 3rd year, I did my internship.
The questions asked in my internship interviews were related to OS, OOPS and DSA. Array and Trees were the topics as far as I remember.

After my 8-weeks internship, I had to demo all the work I had done and impact I had created in front of my team, my manager, and my skip-level manager, which was one of their assessments of my eligibility for the PPO(Pre-Placement Offer).
I also had 2 interview rounds before I got the PPO. 1 round was about all the learnings I had acquired from the internship and the work I had done, and the other one was again, DSA based and involved questions about stacks and arrays.

So to all freshers preparing to get into Microsoft or any other product-based companies, the most important thing to focus on is DSA and problem solving.

Would keep posting experiences & tips and guidance to prepare for placements here!
All the best!❤️

#microsoft #interview #internship #experience

The last 40 days of the year - let's make them count!

But how?

👉 Write down your career goals that you had or are planning to target for the coming year.
👉 Write down the struggles or problems you faced in order to fulfill them.
👉 Create an action plan with solutions to overcome these challenges and bring positive change to your career.

And in case, if you are lacking confidence, motivation, or struggling to maintain consistency throughout this process, I highly recommend finding a career mentor to help you successfully execute this plan.

You can also connect with me or other mentors on Preplaced who can work alongside you to bring about this change in the next 40 days.

We will assist you in various ways, including-
🔸Creating a personalized roadmap
🔸Improving your skills, clearing doubts
🔸Developing an ATS-friendly resume and online presence
🔸Enhancing your communication skills and confidence through mock interviews.

You can book a free trial session here- https://lnkd.in/dY5aYigb

P.S.: 2023 was a rollercoaster ride for tech geeks, with recession, layoffs, and emerging technologies. Here's to a steady and opportunistic New Year! 🌟

GOODBYES are HARD.
And as we all bid goodbye to the year 2023, I’m also bidding goodbye to the company, getting into which was my biggest dream. Yes, I’m leaving MICROSOFT.

I still remember how I saw this dream since DAY 1 of college. I worked hard for it, manifested it everyday and finally achieved it when I got an internship there and then later a full time offer.

So leaving Microsoft was a really tough decision for me, but I feel change is the only constant in our lives, and we should always move towards growth and bigger opportunities.

Microsoft was my first company and it has given me a lot of firsts-
-My first team
-My first release in prod
-My first bug in prod :p
-My first promotion
-My first office party

And a lot of amazing friends, great projects to work upon, great colleagues, amazing work culture and a lot of growth and learnings.
I’ve grown from a beginner to a skilled Software Engineer here.
This post is an appreciation post for all that Microsoft has given me, and I’ll be forever grateful for all of this.❤️

#microsoft #firstjob

Career transition without direct experience→

I often get this question from my mentees-

“I want to switch to x role but don't have the relevant experience“.

Here are a couple of things you can do:

👉 Bridge the knowledge gap by acquiring the necessary skills through courses, workshops, certifications, free resources, etc.

👉 This one is a GAME CHANGER - Build personal projects.
🔸You can also contribute to open source initiatives related to the role.

👉 NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!
Learn from individuals working in that role.
🔸Seek mentorship if possible!

👉 Create an online portfolio to showcase your personal projects, and document your learning journey.

👉 Lastly, tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant projects, and skills and your commitment towards learning & growth.

All the best!❤️

The mantra that helped me crack multiple offers from big tech companies-

“Do your research before the interview—it makes all the difference.”

When I started interviewing, I focused only on coding prep—solving algorithms, grinding LeetCode.

But after a few interviews that didn’t go as planned, I realized something crucial:
I wasn’t connecting with the companies.

So, I changed my approach.

Instead of treating every interview the same, I dug deep into each company—learning about their products, their tech stack, and their challenges.

I remember one interview where we specifically discussed about a product they’d just launched. The conversation turned into a collaborative discussion, not just another Q&A session.

I also started going through previously asked interview questions for a company before going to the interviews.

Here’s what I learned:
🔸Know the company. Show you care about their work.
🔸Tailor your questions. Ask about the challenging projects the team is working on.
🔸Align with their values. Let them see why you fit.

Company-specific prep isn’t optional. It’s what makes you stand out.

#TechInterviews #CareerAdvice #Placements #CompanyResearch

While making a switch we all know the importance DSA holds.

But why do most product-based companies ask DSA in their interviews?
While the majority of the work developers perform does not include?

Many working professionals find it tought to clear DSA rounds and often ask the question above

There are several reasons to it →

👉DSA are fundamental to CS and work as the building blocks for problem-solving. By asking DSA questions, companies assess a candidate's critical thinking and problem solving approach.

👉While day-to-day tasks may not always involve implementing complex algorithms, a strong understanding of DSA enables developers to write more efficient and optimized code

👉 This also indicates that the candidate is likely adaptable and can quickly learn and implement new technologies as needed. This is highly valued at top PBCs

Gaining DSA expertise can be difficult and you can feel overwhelmed by the amount of material available. In a situation like this right mentorship makes all the difference.

Now, If you’re finding it difficult to find the right mentors, you can check out Bosscoder Academy
Check here: https://bit.ly/4fc9zXq

They helped him and can help you too with
✅ Structured programs for learning DSA, System Design, and Full Stack Development.
✅ Personal mentorship from industry veterans.
✅ Live classes and 24/7 doubt support.
✅ Real-life, relevant projects with Placement Assistance.

Ps: Do your own research before enrolling into any course/program.

#SponsoredPost #collab #DSA

Every night, before I go to bed, I sit down with my diary and pen.

In a world full of digital to-do lists and productivity apps, I still like writing my task list the old-fashioned way.

There's something calming about putting pen to paper.

I plan out my next day, and it feels like I’m setting myself up for success.

The best part? Striking off tasks once they’re done.
That little line through a task feels like a small victory every time.

It’s more than just crossing off tasks. It’s a reminder that no matter how chaotic the day might get, I’m making progress. It helps me stay grounded, focused, and productive.

Old school? Maybe. Effective? Definitely.

What’s your go-to productivity hack? Let’s share some ideas!

Mastering the first 5 minutes-
When I walked into my first few interviews, I quickly learned that those first five minutes were crucial.

Yes, technical skills matter—but it’s how you start the interview really sets the tone for the entire conversation.

Here’s what I do to master the first 5 mins of my interview:

🔸Start with a genuine intro: I always take a moment to share a bit about myself beyond the resume. Whether it’s a short story about my journey or what genuinely excites me about the role, it creates a connection that numbers alone can’t convey.

🔸Show interest in the company: I used to think that interviews were all about showcasing what I brought to the table. But I realized that asking about the company’s goals, the team dynamics, or recent projects sparked engaging conversations.

🔸Keep it calm and collected: I remember feeling nervous, but I learned that first impressions often come from our energy. Taking a deep breath and starting with a steady pace helped me convey my passion authentically.

Those first five minutes might seem like a mere introduction, but they lay the foundation for the rest of the interview. It’s all about setting a confident, authentic tone—because the first impression matters.

All the best!❤️

While switching my job, I gave interviews at Google, Atlassian, Uber, and more.

And for each interview, I adjusted my preparation strategy to fit the specific demands of the role.

However I kept one thing consistent and that was my DSA revision strategy. And today I am sharing that with you:

1️⃣ I practise identifying patterns quickly by doing drills, looking at a problem and knowing its pattern. That built speed in me.

2️⃣ I noted down which pattern it fits, like binary search or dynamic programming which helped me in finding connections between problems.

3️⃣ I set aside dedicated time to review the patterns during revision. And I focused more on my areas like DP problems.

These are my personal practical things that I do to solve any DSA problem and I mastered it which helped me a lot in interviews at top tech companies.

However I do understand that finding time to identify weak areas and work on them requires a lot of time and attention, and few of us fail to do so.

In situations like this, having someone to assist you and prepare according to the companies you are aiming for could be a great help.

I suggest that you can check out Bosscoder Academy to help you prepare for the next big interview.

🔗 Check here: https://bit.ly/4iNZq4E

They’ve helped 2200+ SDEs level up and switch to top PBCs and they can help you too with their:

💡 A well-structured curriculum for DSA, System Design, and Full Stack Development.
💡 1:1 mentorship from industry experts.
💡 24/7 doubt support and interactive live classes.
💡 Real-world project building and job switch assistance.

#dsa #interviewprep #collab #adobe #google

I had given up an interview in a leading product based company, and here is what the process looked like:

There were a total of 3 DSA rounds, out of which one round was solely based on Sliding windows and 2-pointers which I found to be the most confusing. I was also asked to solve a question using both of these techniques and then asked to differentiate between the two approaches.

I thought I was prepared for this topic, but during the interview I realized that there are a lot more variations, patterns and hidden tricks to solve these problems.

Today, most of us know how DSA is a must for cracking product based companies. So, if you want to learn the whole topic of sliding windows end to end in just 2 hours, you can attend this masterclass by Manas Kumar Verma sir (IIIT-Hyd alumni, top 15 coders across India 🇮🇳).

Mark your calendars: 30th March, 4 p.m (Saturday)

Register now: https://bit.ly/3IWAdom






#datastructures #faang #productbasedcompany #jobswitch #upskill #dsa #softwareengineering #coding #consistency

My journey till now has been full of challenges, ups & downs, and of course, a lot of learning!

Even after having more than 3 years of experience, I still invest my time in getting better and enhancing my technical skills.

Leaving a company like Microsoft required a ton of courage, many people discouraged me from doing so too but I knew I was doing the right thing.

I started preparing for the upcoming interviews, practiced everyday while still giving my best in my 9 to 5.

How to stay motivated? I often get this question so I’d suggest blogging or documenting your journey - this can help you keep a track of your progress.

And if you’re looking for good resources to upskill, you can try out this challenge from GeeksforGeeks - Three90 challenge.

In this challenge, if you complete 90% of a course within 90 days, you’ll get a 90% refund out of it. Take this challenge seriously and it might just be the ultimate game changer for you.

Try it out here: https://gfgcdn.com/tu/QO5/

#collab #promotion #sponsoredpost

“I got laid off. Please help me get a job!!“

My inbox is filled with these messages.

To offer help I try referring them for job openings but cannot guarantee it.
Especially in current times, where job openings are pretty low.

So I was looking for a solution to offer better help.
That's when I came across Jobsurance.

Jobsurance is India’s 1st income protection plan that provides a 3 months salary cover backed by an insurer in case of a job loss along with placement assistance.

Now if you get laid off, you don’t need to worry about your EMIs, bills, rents.
You can just find your next job peacefully.

Let go of layoff fears and embrace the security Jobsurance offers.
Employees from more than 2000+ companies have already taken a step to secure their incomes.
Do yours now - check Jobsurance website.
Link in the comment section.

We are a 200K+ family now! ❤️

This has been possible only with the support of all of you, and the blessings of God and my parents🙏

All I want to say is a big THANK YOU to all other you for always supporting and engaging with my posts and appreciating my content!

Will keep posting insightful and helpful content in the future as well!

Cheers 🎉
Mahima

I used to overthink everything.

Should I apply for this job? What if I’m not ready?
Should I post on LinkedIn? What if no one engages?
Should I start this project? What if it fails?

And in all this overthinking, opportunities slipped away.

The truth is, the perfect time never comes. The perfect plan never exists, and
YOU will never be READY.

But action? Action creates momentum. It brings clarity. It teaches you what works and what doesn’t.

So if you’re stuck in your head, take the leap.
Hit send. Apply. Start.

Because you’ll figure it out along the way—just like everyone else.

Freedom isn’t just a word.

It’s the energy that drives innovation, the courage to challenge the norm, and the passion to dream without limits.

Today, as we celebrate our nation’s 78th independence day, let’s also celebrate the freedom within us—the freedom to think differently, to create fearlessly, and to shape the future we envision.

Let’s honor the legacy of those who fought for our freedom by pushing boundaries, embracing diversity, and building a world where every voice is heard.

Wishing you all a day of reflection, pride, and inspiration.

Jai Hind! 🇮🇳❤️

If someone achieves a goal quicker than you, doesn't mean it's not possible for you. Their timeline may be different.

Everyone's journey is different, struggle is different, situations are different, and so it's not the right thing to compare ourselves with others.

All we need to do is focus on ourselves and our journey. Whatever happens, happens for the best, we have to remember that.

So the next time, you see any of your peers doing better than you, instead of feeling bad for yourself, be happy for them, and don't compare, just focus on yourself and your journey.

All the best!❤️

Success is boring.

When we see someone succeed, it often looks inspiring—like they’ve figured out a secret shortcut. But here’s the truth: success, up close, is anything but glamorous.

It’s about waking up early, showing up consistently, solving mundane problems, and staying patient when results seem invisible. It’s not the big wins but the small daily efforts that stack up over time.

The grind may feel boring, but that’s where growth happens.

So if your journey feels uneventful right now, take it as a sign—you’re on the right path. Stay consistent; the results will follow.

So this is one of the most important things I've learned in my 1.5+ years of job experience, nothing matters more than you and your wellbeing. The work that you're doing at your job, will continue irrespective of you putting extra efforts or stressing over it, but it's only you and your loved ones who will suffer, if something happens to your health. So don't over stress your body or mind due to work. Maintain a balance. Take care of your diet and your fitness routine also. Prioritise things correctly. Because you only realise the true value of health when you've lost it. So instead of regretting it later, let's focus on it NOW.

#job #wellbeing #health #fitness #work