Microsoft MACH Programme

What is the MACH programme Misfit?

MACH stands for the Microsoft Academy of College Hires. Its Microsoft's graduate programme. There are several streams in the programme like, HR, Sales, Marketing, Technical Consulting, Finance, Software and Hardware Development etc.

Have you checked out the IBM and IBM Global Services pages? May be of some use.

Which programme are you applying for specifically?

Hi Misfit, how did your telephone interview go? hope it went fine. I am about to submit my application for the programme as well. Please let us know your experience with the tel. interview. Thanks

Hi Misfit!
How long did it take before they contacted you?. (after you applied)

I applied for this program as well, but have not heard from them...

Thanks)

Hi Zhenya,

I had a telephone interview on the 15/10/08 and still haven't heard from them (that's nearly 6 weeks now). How long have you been waiting?

Regards

Hi zidanee,

It took about 4-5 weeks. They wrote to me yestarday - I didnt through.

Good luck to you!

what kind of questions did they ask you zhenya?

Please can someone hint us on the sort of questions they were asked on the tel. Interview. Zidanee and Zhenya any help please? Mine is 9 days time.

The questions I was asked were:
Why do you want to join Microsoft?
Who are Microsoft's competition?

I was also asked to discuss current and future trends in technology.

I had my interview around 15/10/2008 as well but I haven't heard anything yet from Microsoft.

Thank you misfit. It sounds like there were no competency based questions asked.good luck everyone

"I had my interview around 15/10/2008 as well but I haven't heard anything yet from Microsoft."

I had mine exactly the same day and still no response. Glad to hear I'm not the only one - that means they are just experiencing a backlog of applications..

"Thank you misfit. It sounds like there were no competency based questions asked.good luck everyone"

There were competency based questions among others. I definitely remember they asked me to tell them about some sort of a project I've done and there were follow up question from what I've told them. They asked me about MS products as well.

Good luck!

Just finished my telephone interview:

-Why do you want to join the MACH programme
-Who are MS competitors
-What area are you passionate about, what are the future trends in that area
-What are the current market opportunities for Microsoft
-Tell me about a project you have done in the past

Not enough time to talk in length, the interviewer kept interrupting. It lasted 15mins, 5 questions. It sounds very straight forward but I am sure they know what they're looking for. Those questions were too easy to be true.

I was told i will get response after Christmas.

Once again thank you misfit and Zidanee. I wish you GOOD LUCK!

hello guys!

-They sent me an email saying that the interview will be competency-based but I understand that they want us to know a lot about the company as well.

-Zidanee and Misfit, were there questions like "tell me about a time when...." (you know, about teamworking,time management,leadership etc)?

-Which MACH program have you applied for (marketing,sales or technology)?

i had one for finance. typical competency-based. it was the best phone interview i have ever done. perfect from start to finish but still didn't make it. when they called me back they couldn't give me a reason for rejecting me, my answers were very strong or excellent. and i holfd an IT degree as well, so it's competitive allright. prepare PERFECT anwsers and lead the interview.

2foteini

"Zidanee and Misfit, were there questions like "tell me about a time when...." (you know, about teamworking,time management,leadership etc)?"

I don't remember very well now as it has been couple of months since the interview. I think the only question similar to that was "tell me about a time when you were participating (or maybe managing) in a project.

jbonweb - you were right on the money with the questions.

Despite the simplicity of the questions, I still found it tricky and jarring - I much prefer 'conversation' interviews to the one way dialogue (and constant keyboard tapping) of this one.

radualex's advice to 'lead' the interview is bang on - sometimes I was asked to explode detail into very dull and functional areas of the questions rather than the sexy stuff..

I was told I'd get a response before the end of this week - good luck everyone!

just finished my interview...

-Same questions,many interruptions and details about the project that I had done(including "obstacles"). The interviewer was very polite but she did not seem to understand my way of working in the project (in technical terms).

- She was complaining that I was talking too fast(she was recording my interview and she wanted me to talk slower). Then I started talking toooooooooo slow!!!

- I did not have the opportunity to tell everything I had prepared,so TALK ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT FIRST,don't leave it for the last minute!

It was not my best performance in a telephone interview...I started worrying from the beginning,when she told me that I was talking too fast...and then I was trying to talk slowly rather than thinking about my answers!

GOOD LUCK to you guys and thank you very much for your help!

Hey all,

I applied for the sales stream and had my telephone interview in mid-October too and heard back 2 weeks ago that I had passed and through to the assessment centre sometime next month, but have not had an e-mail confirmation yet. So I guess if some of you haven't heard back yet then don't worry, they might still be sifting through all the applications.

Has anyone heard anything positive though? Anyone else apply for the sales stream?

Good luck anyways!

Oh and also...

I also fumbled my way through the interview and it was one of the worst interviews I've done yet so don't worry if you experienced the same might still be positive news!

Hello,

I had my telephone interview back in november 2008 and still waiting to hear back about the results. Anyone had their assessment day yet? or been invited to one? It surely can't take this long to decide whether your through to next stage or not can it?

HEJ
MITT NUMMER ÄR (0704263984).
DET KOMMER TILL MIG FRÅN MIN (BAHRA88@HOTMAIL.COM)MEDELANDE OCH DET TA VARJI NÅGRA KRONOR.
KAN NI HJÄLPA MIG OCH TA BORTA DEN DÄR.

TACK

BAHRA HUSSIEN

HEJ
MITT NUMMER ÄR (0704263984).
DET KOMMER TILL MIG FRÅN MIN (BAHRA88@HOTMAIL.COM)MEDELANDE OCH DET TA VARJI NÅGRA KRONOR.
KAN NI HJÄLPA MIG OCH TA BORTA DEN DÄR.

TACK

BAHRA HUSSIEN

HEJ
MITT NUMMER ÄR (0704263984).
DET KOMMER TILL MIG FRÅN MIN (BAHRA88@HOTMAIL.COM)MEDELANDE OCH DET TA VARJI NÅGRA KRONOR.
KAN NI HJÄLPA MIG OCH TA BORTA DEN DÄR.

TACK

BAHRA HUSSIEN

Does anyone know how many places they hire? Are they all technical jobs? I think in the past they have been?

I applied a week back and I haven't got even the 'application received' confirmation mail.....
it's strange....
Has anyone else applied for this & facing the same prob?
And If I am not wrong, then they only ask for a CV upload and absolutely nothing else in the application form, right..?

Anyone had a phone interview for the MACH (technical) program?? Also what kind of technical roles do they offer??

Any help will be greatly appreciated

Phone interview is pretty much as of last year...
What do you know about Microsoft?
Competitors and trends in the technology market?
Then there was a situational question: Tell me about a time when you took responsibility...
Good luck to all!

Anyone here applied for Microsoft Ireland Marketing programme? I got an email that they will contact me in January about the next steps...dont know what that means..Do they have numericals/online tests after the application..??

My MACH telephone interview and the answers I gave.

Tell me what you know about Microsoft

Microsoft is a multinational company, founded by Bill Gates who is now the chairman, the current CEO is Steve Ballmer headquarters are in Redmond Washington. Originally founded as a software company they have now diversified into areas such as cable TV and computer hardware the first major product was MS DOS.

The company is currently split across 5 divisions consisting of, windows and windows live, server and tools, online services, business (these guys make office) and entertainment and devices division.

Microsoft also have MSNBC cable television network, computer hardware (mouse & keyboard), xbox and zune.

Microsoft's flagship product is the windows desktop operating system which started at version 3.1 and is currently on version 7

Microsoft's received a 100% rating in 2005 for corporate equality and is one of the top 50 employers in the 2010 Forbes employer pole.

Microsoft employees are called softies.

Why do you want to join the MACH programme

I believe Microsoft has been instrumental in the advancement of technology and has brought computing and the internet out of research and academia and into peoples homes. I'm passionate about technology and have used Microsoft technologies throughout my career and currently hold an MCP and MOS qualification. I'm attracted to the MACH program as Microsoft are at the forefront of innovation, MACH offers a great training program with exciting prospects and Microsoft is an industry leader with a global presence.

Who are Microsoft competitors

Microsoft's competitors are numerous across each of it's divisions, Linux is a chief concern on the desktop and server, Google is a major competitor in the online search space and has recently entered the mobile and desktop operating system market with a free Linux based offering.

Alternative platforms and new devices such as web enabled mobile phones also pose a threat to Microsoft especially in emerging markets.

On the server Linux is a major concern with all established vendors offering a Linux alternative to Microsoft's server family.

The main competitors to office are Apple, Corel, Google, IBM and Sun. cheaper and free alternatives to Microsoft office are becoming more sophisticated and are readily available online.

Online Microsoft competes with Google, Yahoo and AOL.

Entertainment competes chiefly with Nintendo Wii and the Sony Playstation. Apple hold the market share for MP3 players and are the biggest obstacle to the Microsoft zune

What are the current market opportunities for Microsoft
Data Warehousing (SQL server 2008)
Unified communications as a service (exchange, outlook)
Social software in the workplace (sharepoint (social networking))
Virtual Machines
Enterprise Applications (ERP) Microsoft dynamics CRM)

What part of the industry are you passionate about
Security (active monitoring and penetration testing) and Semantic web

What are the current/future trends in the industry
Mobile Applications
Flash memory
Security – Active Monitoring
Cloud computing and software as a service
Client computing (virtualising applications and delivering them to any platform)
More environmental awareness
Social Networking continuing to grow and be used more in business
Semantic web

Tell me about a project that you completed

Second Year Project
electronic voting system for our second year group project.
My role within the project was elected project manager
Initially differences were discussed within the group with the hope of reaching a consensus on the optimum design.
The differences discussed did not negatively impact relationships as differences of opinion were expected. The ensuing banter about the best solution to implement was quite refreshing and revealed more about people’s skill sets.
Individual performance was an issue at certain times throughout the project this was addressed with weekly meetings to assess progress and assign further tasks.
a project that scored 80%
JP Morgan prize for programming where we made it to the final round.

Wow...looks like you were more than prepared for the interview. I had mine yesterday as well. Surprised you had time to explain much about Microsoft's competitors. I was about going on about why Linux was a main competitor when the Lady interrupted me and said i don't need to go into details. so i just listed the other competitors.

Do you know when we're likely to get a feedback?

My Lady just kept going umm umm whilst I was talking and gave me no interruptions. Don't think we will get any feedback on how it went, but we can expect to find out whether we made the next stage within a week.

really....everyone on the forum said they didn't get to find out if they made the next stage until weeks later...fingers crossed.

Good

good exp

Hi guys I have phone interview with MS . can you please give me idea of questions asked. Thanks in advance

can you advise on questions asked. Much appreciated

Oh and for those who are still in the application process, I'm happy to answer any questions about telephone interviews, assessment centres, follow up interviews etc. The telephone interview, as well as the assessments are pretty much competancy based and then specifics on Microsoft (why Microsoft, what do you know about the company in general, specific (biggest competitors etc), and why IT/Technology. It's all about having a passion for technology and the company and being confident, relevant and enthusiastic.
Hope that helps!

Hi LeedsUniStudent I have sent you a personal message. Thank you.

Hey,

well I had an interview in November and not hear anything back... I assume that means I didnt make it...

LeedsUniStudent, when did u have your interview and how long did it take for them to get back to u?

Hi

I have a telephone interview on saturday :S am really worried .. I applied for MACH(sales)!!

can u plzzzzzzzzzz tell me wt kind of Q's they will ask?? through reading ur comments i noticed that there is no technical question.. is that true??

Hi guys, I've got on the MACH Scheme doing Sales, am starting on Sep 6th in Reading, is anyone else? Would be great to meet some fellow MACHers before we start!
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hey Malkom,

plz chk ur inbox :)

Leeds plz chk ur inbox too :)

Leeds plz chk ur inbox too :)

Hi there,

I've just read your recent posts about starting the MACH Sales scheme in Sept and I am too! Just wondered if anyone has thought about living in Reading?

Fiona

Hi there,

I will have my phone interview for MACH IT within the next 48 hours, anyone can help me with tips to prepare??

Hello, I too have a telephone interview in the next few days. Have the questions changed from the past years? apaprently it will last 45 minutes this time around and will be competency based. Does anyone have any advice please?

Thank you

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