Microsoft's recruitement process is known to be amongst the most difficult in the industry. Here are a few tips:
- Ayman is right, don't think about degrees and/or experience. If (and I said
if) you land an interview, they're not going to be impressed by an MIT degree. They're looking at your skills, not at how well you perform on standardized tests. This said, certain positions need a special level of studies, for instance if you want to join Microsoft research, they'd generally expect you to have a PhD.
- xterm is right, demonstrating strong interest in their technology can help you a lot. But this goes beyond: "I really love MS, and I think they're the best!". You need to become a household name in the MS world (a la Hansleman). Be active on their forum, so active you're one of the top members. Get some of their badges/achievement thingy. Blog about their techs, until you become a top influential blogger. If you manage to make yourself know worldly as a MS expert, your chances are increased exponentially.
- Microsoft recruiting process was famous for its use of riddles and brain teasers. I
strongly suggest you'd read
How would you move Mount Fuji?. The book is a little outdated, ever since the company is realizing the limitations of the whole "puzzle for recruiting" process. But it still gives you a very good insight of the company culture, and will give you an idea of the level of thinking and creativity expected from their new recruits.