The process took 1+ week. I interviewed at Altria (Washington, DC) in Oct 2011
Interview
Approximately 3 weeks after submitting my resume I received a phone call from a Sales Manager requesting 20 minutes of my time for a phone interview. Interview asked what I knew about the position as well as STAR's based questions. He then explained a little bit more about the position and said he would be in touch. Later that day he called back to schedule a panel interview for the following week. Arrive at least 15 minutes early to the interview, as there are three questions you have to answer on a piece of paper prior to the panel. This was definitely difficult. I spent a lot of my time going over their mission, values, products, history, etc. to prepare for the interview but none of this was asked. There were three individuals in the room, including the one that conducted the phone interview. All three were very personable. They asked me about my life, and then all STAR's based questions. Most were easy, but there were a few difficult ones - the follow-up questions in particular (i.e. "If I wanted you to teach me how to do that, how would you go about doing so?). At the end they asked a situational question and then allowed me to ask any questions I had. The interview lasted about an hour and they said they would contact me in 5-7 business days to let me know whether I was moving forward to the day in the field or not. That's where I am right now... wish me luck!
** UPDATE** So after not receiving a call back as mentioned, I called the Unit Manager (person who conducted my initial phone interview and was involved in the panel interview as well). I called on the 10th business day and said I was just calling to check on the status of my candidacy. He told me that he doesn't have any say in the decision making process and he would contact the HR Department and have them contact me "very shortly". Three business days later I still have yet to receive a call or an e-mail.
I applied through university. I interviewed at Altria (Gainesville, FL)
Interview
3 interview rounds - 1 with recruiter, 1 virtual, and 1 virtual panel interview. Took a few months to get an offer. Lots of periods of silence and some people told me it took 6 months or so for the whole process
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How would you pitch your sales story to this specific client?
3 steps - Behavioral, case study, and shadowing a manager. Very casual interview process. Focus on the STAR method and it'll be fine. For the case study you have to sell in a product by influencing the prospect with data and insights they provide
First step was to answer screening questions and submit a resume. Second step was a pre recorded interview where you had to record yourself answering several questions and respond in writing about salary expectations.