I first got an interview by handing in my resume at a career fair. I chatted with the guy a bit, but he wasn't the chief recruiter so I didn't expect much. However, 2 weeks later I got a notice that I would have an on campus interview. The interviewer seemed kind of awkward and I didn't get the programming question right, but to my surprise I got an email a week later saying I would be flying out to Redmond to interview. Although the email said I would have flexibility in scheduling, when I was contacted 5 days later, it was with a "you're flying out this Thursday" (they notified me of this Monday). Couldn't get it rescheduled, but hey, it's Microsoft. I flew out for their 2 day interviewing event for the Online Services Division, during which they comp you plane tickets, hotel for 2 nights, money for cabs, and stipends for meals. They take you out in a limo bus on the night before interviews to "meet recruiters", but overall that was pretty useless and you basically just start stressing out with all your fellow interviewees. The next day you have 3-5 45 minute interviews (each is 1:1). They're pretty difficult, but the nice thing is they give you your results (offer or no offer) right after you finish. Overall it's a stressful process, one which is unnecessarily drawn out. But the interviewers on site were overall pleasant people. The whole process just feels a little bit like an episode of American Idol.