I applied through a staffing agency. The process took 2 days. I interviewed at Microsoft (Neu-Delhi) in Jun 2012
Interview
HR was quite efficient, interview started at right time,
Got rejected after three rounds of interviews.
It was almost evening and interviewer looked tired in last round.
I applied in-person. The process took 5 days. I interviewed at Microsoft (Redmond, WA) in Mar 2008
Interview
It was a very smooth process. It helps to work as a contractor or vendor for a team in which you are interested before going full-time to access the team.
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 2 days. I interviewed at Microsoft (Hyderabad) in Jul 2008
Interview
Telephone Interview : I was asked to write a code then walk through the code.
in Person : I had 10 rounds. In all rounds, I was asked to write code. Either algorithm of simple c function or to solve complex word based puzzles using algorithms.
I cleared 9 rounds. I had last round with the Unit Head. He gave me a puzzle, which I think i messed up. I did not make it. Later My recruiter told me that I was rejected not because of code, but because i did not ask enough questions.