Assuming there is any causation in this correlation (which is highly unlikely), shouldn't there be an inverse correlation instead?

Yes, especially since it seems like that's what the author wants to imply. In reality, I think we're seeing Google hiring volume marching with the broad tech outlook, here proxied by MSFT.

Yes. Also, you'd probably expect a slight delay, if you are somehow assuming Microsoft employees are planning to jump ship. 2009 to mid 2010 almost would fit that profile.

There are was research paper, which found correlations between Moon phases and a stock market.

If you desperately looking for something, eventually you will find it ;)

But, when I go to the correlate site and search for MSFT it returns:

# 0.8571msftr # 0.8282qqqq # 0.8167quote msft # 0.7909proquin # 0.7706wmt # 0.7612sbux # 0.7525slb # 0.7345fas 109 # 0.7340thestreet # 0.7334glw

What am I missing?

Those are searches for the string MSFT. The article uses the share price data that the author uploaded. See how the chart is labeled "User uploaded activity for MSFT and US Web Search activity for google interview questions."

Thanks.

why do you think Google opened office in Kirkland, WA, right next to main Microsoft campus and did open house shows for quite some time?

Has "Enter your own data" been working for other people? I've gotten "Oops! Please try again later." consistently since it launched.

I wonder what the results would be if you substitute Apple for Google.