I applied online and also got myself referred through an employee, whom I knew since my graduate school days. I received an email from the Hiring Manager, few weeks later, to schedule an initial phone interview round.
The phone interview around, started with formal introduction from the manager and I was asked to explain my background and PhD thesis work. After speaking in detail and clearly explaining the work, towards the end of the call, I was told, he would like me to visit Hillsboro, OR for an in-person interview. I was briefed that, in order to prepare for the interview I should be very thorough with my PhD Thesis presentation along with anything mentioned on my resume.
Travel and stay for the onsite interview was arranged. The interview day started with an initial 45 minute meeting with one of the employees in the Intel's cafeteria, I was briefed on the role and position and by the end of it I was taken to one of the conference rooms for presentation. Only, 5 employees showed up for the talk and my talk was received with 3 or 4 questions. It did not seem to me that any member of the audience was interested in the talk. At the end of the talk, I was again taken back to the cafeteria and met another employee for 45 minutes. I was again briefed about what he did and what I would be supposed to do. Mild technical questions related to my experience during PhD came up. After this round, I was taken for a lunch outside the Intel's campus for a 90 minute break. This is supposed to be a round to allow us to get a little casual in terms of asking questions like - work/life balance, staying experience in the area, things to do etc.etc. After the lunch, I met with 4 more employees with each the duration was 45 minutes, each of them were very friendly and let you take a break to get something in between. The interviews in general dealt with both behavioral and technical questions related either from the talk or from a project I had done during my Ph.D. The very last round was with the Hiring manager, he asked my experience through the entire day and explained me the role again with little deeper insight. He gave me all the time to ask whatever question I might have. Around the E.O.D I was done with my interview and he walked me till the reception.
The thing to note is that : You need to have questions to ask about the role and process. Do a good background study about what are you being interviewed for. Also, be prepared with your talk, print out your slides ( I picked this up from Glassdoor) and be enthusiastic. It's very easy to feel jaded with the interview process and meeting people through the day, the key is to come across as being very involved.
At the end of interview, I was told that I would hear something within 2 weeks, if I don't then I should write to the manager asking about the result. I waited for a little more than 2 weeks and I came to know that they have passed me through the technical round and now I have been put in process of offer extension. I was told, this process could take 1 to 2 months and I have to be extremely patient. I kept waiting, after about a period of 1 month, I received an email from the HR team to provide consent for background check, 2 weeks later I received an email from an immigration attorney assessment of the possibility of granting me Visa. Finally, exactly after a period of 2 months (not 8 weeks) from the date of my interview I received a call about a verbal offer and a day later I received my offer letter.
Through the entire process, being patient is the key. They take the due time to let the candidates know.
