I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Cardinal Health (Houston, TX) in Sep 2010
Interview
The interview process is quite lengthy. You will typically meet with 3-5 people. From my experience, my first interview was with the hiring manager, the 2nd interview was with a peer of the hiring manager, and then the 3rd interview was with the CFO. Overall, the process took 3-4 weeks.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
The questions typically start with "Tell me about a time when..." and they will ask about a time when you lead a project, or a time when you had to achieve collaboration
Phone with HR then on site with manager. Interview was the most rude one I have ever had. No greeting, no welcome, no thanks for coming in. The receptionist was better at being civil than the pretentious manager. Manager was late for the 30 minute interview and you feel as if you are being pushed out. How did I find out I didn't get the job? By reading it on GLASSDOOR.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
All basic questions. They DO NOT Ask about or CARE about your skills. Just Employee relations with the work force, which says they have problems.
I applied through college or university. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Cardinal Health
Interview
Quick interview process led by senior finance managers (take advantage of the chance to ask questions...smart people with strong experience). Two back-to-back interviews in one day with a response within the week. 2-weeks to respond to offer. There was a pre-interview presentation the night before where the recruiting team and current employees explain the EMERGE rotational program, their experience, and Cardinal's background to candidates.
I thought all the questions were fair game, but a lot of other candidates I spoke to felt that the questions were harder than average. Do research. Be interested. Show your curiosity. Helps if you are passionate about the field / have interest in healthcare.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
"Manager asks for help to improve margins. How would you make a recommendation?"
This is a mini, no-numbers case question. It helps to have gone through a case interview. Be structured and answer the right question (i.e., improve margin means don't focus recommendation on sales growth/increasing volume ... unless that affects your margin through scale). On structure, think in tree charts - i.e., price and unit cost. Dive a level deeper into each without jumping around too much. Give examples but structure your answer.
"Tell me something that surprised you about the firm outside of anything mentioned in the pre-night presentation." This tests your research on the company. The firm self-describes itself as the 'business behind healthcare'...not very self-explanatory meaning you have to do some work upfront and have an opportunity to distinguish yourself. The question was harder because the pre-night is informative in helping to understand pharma and medical distribution/wholesaling. No one expects you to know every business unit or service, but you should understand the business model for any firm you're interviewing.