Describe Overcoming Challenges in Machine Learning Projects
Overview
This question evaluates a data scientist's behavioral and leadership competencies, including problem-solving on machine learning projects, collaboration and conflict resolution in teams, career resilience, motivation for the employer, and technical fluency in primary and secondary programming languages.
Microsoft
Aug 4, 2025, 10:55 AM
Data Scientist
Technical Screen
Behavioral & Leadership
0
0
Microsoft Data Scientist Phone Screen — Behavioral Questions (Use STAR)
Instructions
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer each prompt. Quantify outcomes where possible, reflect on collaboration and learning, and keep answers concise (60–120 seconds each).
Prompts
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Most challenging project
- Describe the toughest project you worked on and why it was challenging.
- Explain your solution approach and the outcome.
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Difficult team dynamics
- Tell me about a time you worked in a difficult team and how you handled it.
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Career obstacle
- Describe an obstacle you encountered related to your career goals and how you addressed it.
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Why Microsoft
- Explain your motivation for working at Microsoft, aligned to the role.
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Programming languages
- What is the programming language you are most familiar with?
- What is your second most familiar language?
Solution
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