Microsoft Interview Question Software Engineer in Tests
It is not very difficult to change from SDET to SDE in Microsoft. SOme of my friends have done it.
From my friend's experience, microsoft sdet position is the worst. it took my friend 3 years to change to sde, because his manager didn't allow him to apply to other teams.
Thanks for your comment. I am looking for this kind of information. SDET role is like a "TRAP DOOR" i.e we can enter into SDET but we can't change from SDET to SDE.
it depends on your experience level... If you are 2-3 years experience person then you can change the companies / Job designations easily... If you are at 8-10 years experience its very difficult to change companies / job titles also.
If yours experience is 2.5 yrs, then you can switch between roles easily even after 2 years also. So, I recommend to join MS, as it has huge brand name and better MNC culture.
I changed from SDET to SDE after a year. And it was during layoffs at Microsoft. So, if you are smart - it's not a problem.
One suggestion: try to push for SDE. Ask for one more interview for SDE if that's what you want. The point is: if you made it once - you can do it one more time. Even if you accept an offer, when you decide to switch you will have to pass the interview (of about the same complexity) again.
PROs of Accepting the offer:
- it is true that SDET is the worst. But you will learn the culture, you will know problems of a test team, you will know methodologies and weaknesses - all this will make you a better developer and help you to design better software.
CONs:
You are loosing time. Plus it is very hard to be successful when you don't like the job.
Want my opinion? If you like your current job - DON'T GO TO A JOB YOU WON'T LIKE
I would say.. don't. If you are planing to come back as a SDE again, don't move as SDET.
SDET is completely different than SDE. They might do coding but still the role, daily task has big difference. In the beginning you might not like it,, and you may feel bored and also that might cost you in productivity and performance wise. So if you are good in SDE then try to get SDE role in MS. But once you change your title.. your career will be lost ->(if you have 3 -4+ years of Dev exp) .. you will be no DEV and no Test for a while... and after that If you looking jobs thru recruiters they will pull you here and there with dev and test..
whats ur current company?
this is bs. u can always change to sde in MS. only thing is, u shud have the drive. dont plan on to sticking to sdet role for more than two years once u join. be clear in ur goals and tell the same to manager from day one.
btw, i worked in ms,redmond. donno abt idc. what one quoted here might be a case of odd bad apple.
Here is why you will be neither here nor there with an SDET role in Microsoft(and some other companies). Not many other companies out there do testing like Microsoft does. MS wants to automate everything and that is why they need SDETs. When you go to a different company however, they look at you as a tester not an SDE. Believe me, I went through it(eventually finally got what I wanted but it can be a bit of a pain).
All the talk about both SDEs and SDETs write code etc. etc. is bull. When it comes to finishing the task at hand, there can and will be manual testing too for most SDET roles. If you are someone who goes by the heart and don't like manual testing, scripting or writing batch files etc., stay away. Besides, if an SDET role is so intensive, using the same logic, how much more intensive would an SDE role be?
All that said, changing from SDET to SDE in redmond is common enough to aim at with reasonable hope. I do not know how it works in IDC, though.
There is other stuff too that matters but I'd rather not comment more here lest I should attract flames. I have commented enough already.
Hi All,
I Have the different situation with the same profile offered. I am associated to a branded product company, but then my current profile is Testing (automation) , So I am offered Testing at MSGD recently, It needs reallocation so there is a big question in front of me now.
1. How would be the profile as Testing at MS
2. It says individual contributer, what are pros and cons
3. It says 50% travel, so any idea what ill be the chances of onsite.
Please help me if any of u guy have any info abt it, It will be of great help. I am really worried and confused now.
Hey sss,
- GekkoGordan February 08, 2011One thing it doesn't matter SDE or SDET, if you think its a job that you would be interested in then take it.
From my experience, it doesn't matter it is MSFT or AMZN or GOOG etc... (unless you just graduated and looking for a job), if you think that the team is smart and the problems that you work on are interesting to you then go for it. But in general, there's a high chance that you would be offered SDET if you are an SDET in future