The Intel interview process usually starts with a phone screen, where you are asked basic computer architecture questions and your thoughts on how to test the functions of a piece of silicon.

For example, how would you test an ALU?

After a positive phone interview, you will likely be flown on-site to the location where you will be working.

The interview typically lasts 4-6 hours, including lunch. You will be interviewed by 4-5 people and will get to casually chat with the people you eat lunch with.

Typically, your interview will consist of the following topics:

• Introduction / Tell me about yourself
• Computer Architecture / Intel System Architecture
• Software
• Behavioral

The interviewers at Intel aren't looking for you to get every answer right; they are looking to see if you can learn, are willing to learn, and what your attitude towards other people is.

The office environment really depends on the teams that you join. One team may be very interactive – people dropping into your cube and chatting – or completely hands-off, where everyone emails or IMs you or leaves you to your own devices.

As a System Validation Engineer, you're expected to get the job done. Your time is flexible and granted, as long as you meet your deliverables.

During the behavioral portion of an interview, I was asked how I would deal with a roommate who didn't pay rent on time, or stopped paying rent altogether.