I applied through a recruiter. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Smithbucklin (Chicago, IL) in Feb 2011
Interview
I was contacted through a résumé posting site, which I thought was impressive as it indicated to me that recruiters are actively seeking talent. It also meant I was somewhat prescreened. After an initial conversation with the recruiter, I was asked to complete an online application and submit my résumé. Shortly thereafter, I was contacted to come in for an in-person interview. I met briefly (perhaps 15 to 20 minutes) with the recruiter. Then, I spoke with the person to whom I would report for about an hour.
After a few days, the recruiter contacted me to come in for a second round of interviews, which consisted of three, 30-minute meetings with people (of various levels of seniority) with whom I would work directly.
The following week, I was contacted with a job offer.
Given my previous experience with interviewing, this process was very quick and straightforward.
The process is straightforward. You meet with the talent acquisition team and then begin meeting with your unit leads. The questions are not out-of-the-box but do allow both interviewer and interviewee to get a sense of the organization and role.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe your experience managing projects cross-functionally.
I applied online. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Smithbucklin
Interview
Process started out well enough. Was contacted for phone screening about 4 or 5 weeks after the role was posted. Sort of long, but can be understandable. Waited, and then scheduled for follow up by interview with hiring manager in person. Waited, then followed by interview with team, then waited, and another in person interview with hiring manger. Lots of visits to the site, and lots of waiting! Neither the team nor the hiring manager showed much enthusiasm, in fact it felt like the opposite. I was contacted for reference referrals, and then waited, and waited, and waited. Decision making was SLOW and the entire process was drawn out for more than 3 months after application, when common experience is to complete this type of process in 6-8 weeks.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What would you do in a difficult situation where work was sub-par regarding a contractor renewal?
I applied online. The process took 5 days. I interviewed at Smithbucklin
Interview
The woman who conducted my phone interview was unprepared and did not have an understanding of the role I was interviewing for. She could not answer basic questions about the division or the responsibilities of the manager. She asked me to walk through my resume (I told her about my current work for a healthcare organization) and then she proceeded to ask if I had any healthcare experience. When I repeated what I had just told her, she mentioned that she doesn't have my resume and asked if I could send it to her. Not impressed.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Did not anticipate that the HR representative couldn't answer basic questions about SmithBucklin.