I applied through an employee referral. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at ZS Associates (Evanston, IL) in Dec 2012
Interview
I've heard really great things about ZS and its culture from a friend who works there. I was referred and had an hour long phone interview, after which I was invited for a full-day in person interview. I had one behavioral interview with a Principal, two technical interviews and one sit-down with a current employee to see what they do - note that the sit-down is actually an interview to see how interested you are in their work! I felt that I did really well in all but the behavioral. I had bronchitis the week before the interview and was still a little hoarse (should have requested a change of date!) and the Principal that I interviewed with got really testy when I coughed a few times and had to drink some water. After a while, he just tuned out and started looking at his computer. I think it was unbelievably rude and unfair of him to dismiss me for a cough, but I really should have told them during scheduling that I needed extra time to recoup and lose my cough.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
The more difficult case study gave me a packet of information about trial results from a new drug. They gave me a half hour to sift through it and develop a recommendation for which strategy to pursue in selling the drug. There was a handy sheet for me to write pros and cons to use in my answer that guided me through how to make the recommendation.
Good interview started from basics went in deep about sql python and projects as well. Did cross questioning on projects and then ended with a some behavioural questions. Overall a very nice experience.
they take an online test of verbal, data interpretation, aptitude, etc. They also ask a question which you have to reply through a video, where they will give you a random topic, you have to record a video speaking about the topic for 60 to 90 seconds.
The interview process is a bit difficult to crack. Go through your resume and be ready to answer whatever they ask about it.
Practice guesstimates and puzzles thoroughly. Be consistent with your logic in solving problems