I interviewed for a position in one of Genentech's process development groups. Half of my interviewers had not even glanced at my resume and failed to ask any technical questions relevant to the job description. Most technical questions were presented in a quiz-like manner: I was asked to regurgitate freshman-year-of-college course material I haven't used since, rather than to discuss my specific expertise. Some interviewers were downright unfriendly; for example, one asked why I was interested in the position "other than wanting to get into Genentech," though I currently work for a similarly prestigious company, and another complained (after volunteering to take me to dinner after the interview) that he'd had to cancel his plans for the evening. Finally, the hiring manager contacted me after the interview and asked for permission to contact my employment references, then never bothered to do so, which was embarrassing for me. When I emailed to follow up a week later, (s)he said (s)he had been "busy." I understand that there is fierce competition for employment at Genentech, I don't think there is any justification for how disrespectfully I was treated at my interview.

I was originally contacted one and a half months after submitting my application to let me know that I had passed the initial screening, and I had to fill out a form indicating my interests. A week or two later, I was contacted for a phone screen. Very shortly after I was contacted for a phone interview.