I am a PhD student from a US university and wanted to relocate to Singapore. So applied online for this position. After a couple months I received an email from a HR in Singapore stating that one of her Managers were interested in my profile (I have 2 successful interns with the company, trust me, the company is on a hiring freeze, so the process is much delayed). Eventually, I had a phone interview with one of the higher technology managers. Most of the questions were based on personality assessment. [Note: Closely follow the tips on the P&G website for the interview. They are really very helpful. They might have already liked your technical background, so they will focus more on the personality based questions. But, they will surely try to pull out your expertise from the experiences they want you to share with them]. After a month I was asked to travel to their site for a presentation and a panel interview (in my case Cincinnati as I am in the States)
The night before the interview they will take you out for a dinner. Make sure you dont talk anything stupid. Consider that your assessment started already. During your interaction, if they see that spark in you. They will surely give you more tips for your big day. Trust me they are very very helpful. Frankly speaking they are already interested in you so they spend for your trip to Cincinnati. So, make sure you have a positive attitute and be what you are. I know you will be nervous, I was too. Hardly slept before my big day.
Presentation: ~ 30 mins long, last 20-30 mins - question hour. It is open to all the P&G members. So be careful when you are presenting. Make sure you have sound basics of what you are presenting. And get ready for some real grilling, similar to that of your PhD defense. All the audiance will get an evaluation form and will be given a chance to rate you.
Panel interview: In my case it was a panel of 3 people. Really big heads of the company were right across the table. Mangers were more focussed on the personality based questions and technologists were interested in my research work. Key points: They look at your passion towards innovation, they dont want people who reinvent the wheel. They are interested in people who can think differently (reapply technology). They encourage diverse work culture. They look for people who can handle conflict situations. Prepare for this question. Trust me you are gonna face it. When asked, share an experience how you could effectively work in teams and accomplish a task. They are not interested in Noble prize winners who cannot work well in teams.
After a couple weeks I heard from them about the offer. (they usually two weeks as they need to collect the evaluation forms from the presentation audiance and the panel).
They are really nice to you during the entire session of the interview.
One important point to mention: At the end of the interview you will be given a chance to ask questions.
Make sure you do some home work to ask them. If there are too many, dont worry write them on a note pad and take it with you. They will love that you already started thinking about their buisness. Ask them general questions based on the trends you see in the market about their Buisness. As it is a consumer company, go to a near my WalMart or any other store to do some quick research on P&G brands and its competitors (focus on the brands that belong to the division of this job position. (For example: Olay products fall under Beauty Care division of P&G) Also through their website for all the info on the brands and under what division they fall under.
For 1st, 2nd and 3rd year PhD's:
The key of getting into corporate gaints like P&G is to set your foot as an intern. Interns are their biggest pipeline. This is the best way to know more about the company and in turn the company learns about your work style and ethics. If they identify the qualites in you that match the values of P&G. They will love you and do their best to get you in.
Hope this is helpful!!
I am glad to be a part of the P&G family!
You too can surely be.
Good luck with your hiring process.