17 Microsoft Consultant Interview Questions and Answers

As a Microsoft consultant, you’re responsible for the implementation, configuration, and support of Microsoft-based solutions. That can include anything from Exchange servers and SharePoint sites to Dynamics CRM and SQL databases. No matter what you specialize in, you’ll need to be able to answer Microsoft consultant interview questions so that potential employers can gauge your technical expertise and customer service skills.

In this guide, we’ll give you an overview of what you can expect from a Microsoft consultant interview. We’ll also provide sample answers to common Microsoft consultant interview questions so that you can start preparing for your next job interview.

Are you comfortable working with a variety of Microsoft products?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of Microsoft products and how you can use them in a professional setting. You should highlight the specific Microsoft products that you are familiar with, as well as any certifications or training you have completed.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with a variety of Microsoft products. In my last role, I worked on projects using both Windows and Azure platforms. I also have several certifications for different Microsoft products, including one for SQL Server 2016 and another for SharePoint 2013.”

What are your favorite Microsoft products to work with?

This question is a great way to see if you are familiar with the company’s products. It also shows your passion for working with Microsoft and can help show that you have experience using these products. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list two or three of your favorite products and explain why they’re important to you.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about technology, so I started out as an intern at a software development company when I was in college. There, I learned how to use many different Microsoft products, including Azure, SQL Server and Visual Studio. These products were all very useful in my work there, but I think my favorite product would have to be Azure because of its versatility. I love being able to create new solutions by combining various elements of Azure.”

How would you sell a customer on the value of using Microsoft products?

This question is an opportunity to show your sales skills. Microsoft products are often more expensive than other options, so it’s important for consultants to be able to convince customers that the value of using their products outweighs the cost. Your answer should include a specific example from a previous job where you successfully sold a customer on Microsoft products.

Example: “I would first ask them what they’re looking to accomplish with their technology and how they currently use it. Then I’d explain why Microsoft products can help them achieve their goals better than other solutions. For instance, at my last job, we were working with a small business owner who was looking to expand her company’s online presence. We discussed our different website hosting options and she decided to go with one of our most affordable plans. She ended up getting more traffic to her site after implementing our recommendations.”

What is your experience with working remotely?

Working remotely is a common practice for many consultants. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with working from home or other locations outside of the office. In your answer, explain how you manage your time and stay productive when working away from the office.

Example: “I have worked remotely for most of my career as a consultant. I find that it’s important to set up a work space at home where I can focus on client projects without distractions. To ensure I’m always prepared for remote work days, I make sure to plan ahead so I don’t fall behind in my work. I also use communication tools like Slack to keep in touch with my team members.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to troubleshoot an issue with a client’s computer.

Troubleshooting is a major part of being a consultant, so interviewers want to know how you would handle this situation. Use your answer to show that you can use critical thinking skills and problem-solving techniques to fix issues with computers.

Example: “I once had a client who was having trouble connecting to the internet. I asked them if they were using any wireless routers or other devices that could be causing the issue. They said they didn’t have anything else connected to their computer. So, I suggested restarting the router and the computer. After doing both, the client still wasn’t able to connect to the internet.

I then told them to try turning off their firewall and antivirus software. When they did, they were finally able to connect to the internet. The lesson here is that sometimes it’s not always the computer that needs troubleshooting but rather the peripherals.”

If a client is having difficulty understanding a concept, how do you explain it to them?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you interact with clients and whether you have experience working with people who are not as familiar with technology. Your answer should show that you value your client’s time and want to make sure they understand what you’re explaining to them.

Example: “I find it helpful to use analogies or examples when a client is having trouble understanding a concept. I try to choose examples that relate to their business so they can see how the concepts apply to their work. This helps me explain things in a way that makes sense to my client, which allows them to retain more information.”

What would you do if you noticed another consultant making a mistake while working on a client project?

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and your ability to communicate. Your answer should show that you are willing to speak up when necessary, but also that you value the opinions of others.

Example: “If I noticed another consultant making a mistake while working on a client project, I would first make sure they were aware of it. If they didn’t know about it already, I would explain why their solution wouldn’t work for the problem at hand. Then, I would offer my own solution or suggest we discuss it further after our current task was complete. This way, I’m helping them learn from their mistakes without embarrassing them in front of the client.”

How well do you understand the security risks associated with using certain Microsoft products?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of Microsoft products and how they relate to security. Use examples from your experience to explain the risks associated with using certain Microsoft products, as well as how you mitigate those risks.

Example: “In my last role, I worked on a project that required me to use Azure SQL Database. While it’s an excellent database service, there are some security risks involved with its use. For example, if someone gains access to the master key, they can gain access to all data stored in the database. To mitigate these risks, I created a separate user account for each person who needed access to the database. This way, only authorized users could access the data.”

Do you have experience working with SQL databases?

SQL is a database language that allows users to store and retrieve data. It’s an important skill for Microsoft consultants because it helps them work with the company’s products, such as SQL Server. Your answer should show the interviewer you have experience working with this type of database. If you don’t have direct experience, you can talk about your ability to learn new things quickly.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of databases in my career, including SQL. I find that learning new languages is easy for me, so I was able to pick up on SQL fairly quickly. In fact, I’m currently taking a course on SQL to help me better understand how it works.”

When is the best time to perform maintenance on a client’s computer?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the best practices for maintaining computers. You can answer this question by explaining when you would perform maintenance and why it’s important to do so at that time.

Example: “The best time to perform maintenance on a client’s computer is before they need it. For example, if I know a client will be using their computer heavily during tax season, I would schedule a maintenance session in January or February. This way, the computer is ready for peak usage without any issues. If I don’t have advance notice, I would check the system resources and memory usage regularly throughout the year. This allows me to identify problems early and fix them before they become more serious.”

We want to help our clients improve their productivity. What is one productivity tip you could offer a client?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you can apply your expertise in a practical way. They want to know that you can help their clients achieve results and improve their business processes. In your answer, explain how the productivity tip helped you or someone else be more productive at work.

Example: “One of my favorite tips for improving productivity is using keyboard shortcuts. I learned about them when I was working with a client who wanted to increase his efficiency while editing documents. He started by learning some basic shortcuts like copy and paste, then he moved on to more advanced ones. After implementing these shortcuts into his daily routine, he saved an hour each day and increased his overall productivity.”

Describe your process for documenting your work on a client project.

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you organize your work and the steps you take to complete a project. Your answer should include details about how you plan, document and communicate with clients throughout the process of completing a project.

Example: “I start by meeting with my client to discuss their goals for the project and what they hope to achieve from it. I then create a timeline for the project that includes milestones and deadlines for each stage of the project. Throughout the duration of the project, I use Microsoft Project to track my progress on tasks and manage communication with my team members. I also use SharePoint to store documents related to the project.”

What makes you stand out from other Microsoft consultants?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have unique skills and experiences. You can answer this question by describing a skill or experience that makes you stand out from other candidates.

Example: “I am passionate about technology, which has led me to become a Microsoft Certified Professional Developer. I also have extensive knowledge of SQL Server, which allows me to create solutions for clients who use it. In my last role as a consultant, I helped a client save thousands of dollars per month by optimizing their database server.”

Which industries do you want to focus on as a part of our team?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of your interests and goals. It’s also a good opportunity to show that you’ve done some research on the company and its services. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention industries or companies that are similar to the one you’re interviewing with.

Example: “I’m passionate about working in the healthcare industry because I believe technology has so much potential to improve patient care. In my last role, I worked with a hospital system to create more efficient workflows for their staff members. This helped reduce errors and save money while improving the quality of care.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a Microsoft consultant to have?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of what it takes to be successful in this role. Your answer should include a skill that you feel confident using and one that you are eager to learn more about.

Example: “I think communication skills are the most important for a Microsoft consultant because they allow me to work with my team members, clients and other stakeholders to solve problems and create solutions. I am always looking for ways to improve my communication skills, so I recently took a public speaking course at my local community college. This helped me become more comfortable presenting ideas to large groups and gave me some valuable feedback on how I can improve my presentations.”

How often do you perform backups on a client’s computer?

This question is an opportunity to show your technical knowledge and experience with Microsoft products. You can answer this question by describing the process you use for backups, including which software you use and how often you perform them.

Example: “I usually perform a backup on my client’s computer once a week. I do this because it gives me enough time to gather all of the data that I need to back up while also ensuring that I don’t have too many backups to manage at one time. In addition, weekly backups allow me to ensure that any changes made to the system are backed up before they are lost.”

There is a new version of Windows released. How would you explain the changes to a client?

This question is a great way to test your communication skills. It also shows the interviewer how you would explain technical information to clients in an easy-to-understand manner. Your answer should include:

Example: “I would first start by explaining what Windows is and why it’s important for businesses. Then, I would talk about the new features of the latest version of Windows. For example, with the newest release, users can now run multiple apps at once on their desktop. This is helpful for business owners who need to multitask while using their computer.”