I applied through college or university. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Merck
Interview
Merck visited graduate institution for on-campus interviews. Informal first-round interview with on-campus recruiter. Pleasant interview and more of a conversation. Contacted a week later for a phone-interview with R&D Director and a 2nd phone interview with another Director. Phone interviews standard: explanation of personal research, 4-5 HR questions, and explanation of job responsibilities (30 - 60 min). Phone-interviews formal, but once again very pleasant. On-site interview 4 weeks later. Day consisted of five-six 45 min in-person/teleconference interviews with different directors of R&D and VP R&D at site. Most of conversations revolved around graduate research and fairly informal discussions. Once again, great conversations and people. Interviewers made me feel comfortable and confident. 45 minute presentation of research in the middle of day. Contacted week later for follow-up questions and company explaining their interest level in me as candidate. Job offered one month later via phone call.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What is one quality of your current boss you do not like?
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Merck in Sep 2014
Interview
First, I had a phone interview with the hiring manager, then I was brought in for an on-site interview at West Point. I gave a 45-minute presentation in the morning, then went through 45-minute 1-1 interviews the rest of the day. They asked HR questions, technical questions, and were generally just trying to get to know me, and me, them.