Microsoft Leap - All You Need To Know

Microsoft Leap can help you break into the tech industry if you’re from a profession not aligned with the traditional schooling for computer science careers.

So, you could be a musician, carpenter, tailor, high school teacher, freelance ghostwriter, game streamer, grocery store clerk, salesperson, and so on. Microsoft Leap is your pathway for a career transformation. It can help you fill the shortage of IT engineers, focusing on emerging tech niches like AI and ML.

Read on until the end to learn how to apply from various non-IT professions with basic IT training in your resume.

What Is Microsoft Leap?

Microsoft Leap is a Microsoft-sponsored cohort-based apprenticeship program. It helps Microsoft bring fresh talent to the information technology industry from unconventional professions.

It’s a 16-week immersive experience that offers hands-on training and real-world projects. Think of it as a full-fledged outcome-oriented IT course, where you’ll work alongside experienced Microsoft or partner organization engineers. At the end of the course, you should acquire enough skills and expertise to take part in similar IT projects.

The program is open to persons from all professions. Even if you don’t come from a traditional computer science background, you can apply.

All in all, Microsoft Leap is your best bet if you’re passionate about IT and ready to dive into a challenging yet rewarding learning experience.

Pros and Cons of the Program

Find below why the program might or might not be suitable for you:

Pros	Cons
Experienceless entry to IT career.	You must bring in basic training in IT along with basic coding expertise.
Great opportunity to work at Microsoft or equivalent IT partner organizations.	Top-level IT projects might be restricted to US-only locations. This apprenticeship program doesn’t offer work or internship visa assistance.
Paid training at state-of-the-art workplaces and IT labs.	There’s no job guarantee once the apprenticeship ends.
Extensive networking to secure a job isn’t required.	The application process is highly elaborate and requires a comprehensive LinkedIn profile containing all educational and work experience certificates.
Hybrid learning and apprenticeship experiences through online and offline classes and workshops.	You must be active on social media platforms, like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc., to go through Microsoft Leap-related announcements all the time. The application window is often for just one to two weeks.
The Microsoft Leap organizer provides health insurance.	The competition for a Leap spot is intense. You might get rejected even if you fulfill all the qualifications.
Accessible from many countries across the world.

Technology Training Pathways

This apprentice program’s specialty is the flexibility of choices for the learning path. You don’t have to go through a rigid set of learning materials. You can choose one track from various technology niches:

1. Cloud: In the Cloud pathways learning board, the program will post all relevant cohort sessions. For example, Cloud Solution Architect and Azure Specialist are the most popular courses.
2. Data: Here you can enlist for the Data Analyst training cohort that will upskill you for data extraction, collection, transformation, analysis, and visualization.
3. Design: If you love to create visual designs, graphics, etc., and want to get into the IT career, you can choose a Design cohort, like User Experience Designer.
4. Engineering: It’s the most elaborate pathway you can go for. Here, you can find various Leap training slots, like Customer Engineer, Cybersecurity Engineer, Senior Software Engineer, Software Engineer, and Technical Support Engineer.
5. Product/Program Management: If you’d like to see yourself in a managerial role in the IT sector, check out the Leap slots in this pathway. It often offers upskilling programs for Business Program Managers, Product Managers, and Technical Program Managers.

Learning programs and specialties change frequently depending on the trends and talent requirements in the industry. So, if you don’t possess the required basic training in the above niches, check back next recruitment season for newer roles.

Application Eligibility

You should apply for the Leap apprenticeship program if you fulfill the following requirements:

• You’re absolutely sure that you can go through an elaborate online and classroom training program for 16 weeks. The learning period is continuous. You can’t pause a few weeks and then resume.
• You’ve got the relevant work authorizations in your country of residence.
• The application process requires a LinkedIn account. Make sure you’ve added all the relevant experiences and certifications to your account.
• During the application process, you must add a few links to websites or online files. Those URLs should be publicly available.
• You can put aside various professional and personal responsibilities for the training duration.
• You’ll also have to show extensive prior experience in the Leap pathway you’ve chosen during the application, interview, and selection process.
• Ensure you can access high-speed internet for virtual interviews.

While the application process for Microsoft Leap is relatively simple, some of the requirements seem to contradict the program’s stated goals.

A clear example of inconsistency is, if you select the Azure Specialist role and have a basic understanding of cloud computing, you might not qualify. The eligibility criteria require applicants to demonstrate prior experience in cloud computing, which could be challenging for those without a traditional IT education.

However, the program seems to benefit IT professionals and recent graduates who may struggle to secure desired roles due to limited networking or experience at prestigious companies. Those with sufficient prior experience in their chosen pathway are likely to gain significant advantages from the program.

How To Apply for a Microsoft Leap Cohort

An interesting fact is you can’t apply directly for the apprenticeship program from the Microsoft Leap website. You must use the link provided in one of its social media handles.

So, if you’re looking for a seat in this campaign, join the social media handles as soon as possible. Then, check them regularly for application-related announcements, links, instructions, etc.

The application window is short. Microsoft has designed it in a way that only truly enthusiasts would apply. For example, for the January 21, 2025 – May 9, 2025 training session, Microsoft had announced the application window only two weeks before the commencement date.

Also, the application timeframe was open only for seven days.

Microsoft Leap Program – Your Expectations

The application process will be elaborate. You’ll have to go through creative and technical questions, that Microsoft won’t reveal before application.

Moreover, the Leap recruiters will thoroughly review your application. You must also pass multiple interview sessions after the preliminary selection process. Usually, there will be two virtual interviews of 45 minutes each.

The interviewer will assess your knowledge and expertise in the following areas:

• Problem solving
• Technical skills
• Collaborative skills.

You should also know that Leap will only choose a few candidates from each application lot. So, you must deliver your best during all the phases.

Additionally, the learning experience you can expect from Leap is state-of-the-art. A team of expert Microsoft engineers and training facilitators have created the course content and designed it. The program includes classroom sessions, virtual events, on-the-job project work, virtual project sessions, etc.

You can also expect to learn other related skills besides technical ones. For example, the course content will also train you on the following topics:

• Collaboration at the workplace
• Problem-solving for complex situations
• Effective communication
• Creativity
• Customer-centric mindset development and customer service.

Find other minute yet important expectations below:

Expectation Questions	Possible Outcomes
Who sponsors the program?	Microsoft or one of its partner business organizations.
Do I get paid?	Yes.
Do I get health insurance for the training period?	Yes.
Are there any relocation assistance?	No.
Is childcare provided?	No.
Does the program help me find accommodation?	No.
Is Microsoft Leap a remote program?	There are various considerations when rolling out a new cohort. Usually, it includes both classroom and online learning sessions.
Is there any job guarantee?	Though there’s no job guarantee, a report published by Microsoft suggests that 98% of the Leapers find a profession in the technology industry.
Does Microsoft Leap accept multiple applications from the same candidate?	Try to apply for a pathway that you believe know the best or have maximum interest in it. If you’re applying for multiple roles, chances are you won’t get selected as you don’t know which cohort suits you the best.

How To Stay Informed

The program organizer will make all the training updates through its social media channels. Here are the most relevant platforms and mediums you should keep an eye on:

Events

The Events portal will provide links to various webinars related to the Leap cohorts. Here’s how you can use this resource effectively to aid your application and interview process:

1. Navigate to the Events page.
2. Click on the Location drop-down list and choose your current country or state (for US residents only) of residence. For instance, Multiple locations, United States.
3. Hit the Choose a pathway drop-down list and select your preferred domain.
4. Click on the Event type list to select an option, like Application windows to learn about the next cohorts and their application timeframes.
5. In the Happening now tab, you should see the available events.

6. Click on an event and hit the Join event link at the bottom to sign up for the session.
7. If there are no events at the moment, click on the Coming soon tab to check if there are any future sessions.

LinkedIn

Follow the Microsoft Leap home page on LinkedIn. Scroll through all of its posts to learn about upcoming application windows, guidelines, and so on.

Facebook

If you’re more of a Facebook person, Microsoft Leap is also available on this platform. It shows similar program updates as the LinkedIn handle.

X (Twitter)

You can also stay in the know about all Leap announcements by subscribing to this X (Twitter) handle.

How To Get Help With Microsoft Leap

To clear your doubts about this program, you can visit the Frequently asked questions page.

If you don’t find enough information there, navigate to the Contact Us webpage of Microsoft Leap.

Click on the Subject drop-down menu and choose an option from three primary fields:

• Upcoming cohort dates
• Application submission status
• General feedback/ question.

A detailed form will open. You can then enter your query in the Message field along with demographic data, like First name, Last name, and Email.

Before you can submit your query, you’ll have to resolve the available Captcha challenge.

Summary

Microsoft Leap is a great way to enter the IT sector especially if you’re looking for an alternative career or you’ve been a stay-at-home parent looking to enter the workforce again.

However, you might find yourself competing with experts who already worked for an IT company and are looking to work for Microsoft or one of its partner organizations.

So, as a professional from an unconventional role, invest at least six months in IT training courses online or offline. Create a good resume consisting of relevant experiences that Leap prefers. Then, you might stand a chance!

You can also accelerate your IT learning track by going through the best offline coding apps, education apps, and browsers for e-learning.