I applied online. The process took 5 weeks. I interviewed at C Space (Boston, MA) in Oct 2012
Interview
Initial phone screening interview with HR (about 20 mins) - asked basic questions about my resume, experience etc. Although I didn't have much market research experience, I still got the second interview (which is strange in retrospect, given how important this is for the job). The second phase is an in person interview with a director level person and Community Mgrs I and II ( all individual, one-on-ones and half-hour each). They mostly ask about your experience, why you want to work in Market Research - have pointed out some specific questions below. This was followed by a written survey/client email test for 45 mins. The written test had me write a response email to a customer query and design a 10-question basic survey in response to the presented case. It wasn't very complicated, but you have to be quick since you have 45 mins to do this. I didn't get past this stage, but after this, they send you consumer insight over email and you have to make a presentation within a week and send it back to them. That's the last phase of the interview process.
In the personal interviews, one of the questions I was asked was what would I do if I come in one day and there is a report due, an immediate client call and another management disaster. What would I do?
They wanted me to convince them why I was trying to do market research when my background was really in journalism and strategic communications (I guess failed to do that). The Community Mgr II seemed to be asking questions specifically to intimidate or confuse - it didn't work but just beware.
I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at C Space (Boston, MA) in Apr 2012
Interview
It was fairly straightforward. I came in for 1 round with 3 people for 30 minutes each and then another round with a presentation. I found everyone to be easy to talk to and the questions were not repetitive. I enjoyed giving the presentation. I also got to meet my boss in the process, which I think is an important step.
The one thing that I found frustrating was the wait time in between the two interviews. The recruiter kept promising to call me back and let me know the status, but it took about a month before he did. It was stressful because I had other offers on the table.