I showed my interest in Philip Morris at a college Career Day. You sign up and hand them your resume to let them know you are interested. If they like your resume they will call you for an interview. At a Career Day it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to sign in to show your interest, because they are looking for people that are willing to talk with other people and show leadership abilities. If you get a call for an interview, it is a 3 step process.
Interview #1 - There are 2 people that evaluate you. They ask you what you know about the company. Make sure you do you research and tell them everything - they will be VERY impressed. You can get this information from the company website philipmorrisusa.com. On the website they also list the values and mission of the company. Make sure you know the values and tie them into the questions that they ask you.
Interview #2 - There are 2-3 head managers of the company that interview you. They ask a behavioral interview (Example: What would you do in this situation?). They do this to see what type of person you are and how you deal with different situations. Then at the end of the interview there is a piece of paper with 4 questions on it. They will pick one of the four questions at random and ask you what you would do in the this situation they have given you. THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION! Just be honest and be confident in your answer. They don't want to hear a wishy-washy answer. They want someone that shows confidence and leadership that will be proud of the decision they make.
Interview #3 - This is basically a trial run, but it is still an interview. They send you out on a day in the field with a Territory Sales Manager, and his/her boss so you get a feel of what you will actually be doing on the job. Make sure you help out the managers when they are doing things in the stores. Be very observant and ask lots of questions. Talk to them and show them you are picking up on things that they are doing, and that you will be able to handle the internship. This is the final step and they will let you know if they like you and want to make you an offer.
Two Final Hints:
1) Be confident and stress the fact that you think outside the box and that you are a leader. Explain how you can use your leadership skills to add value to the company.
2) Make sure it is not a moral issue for you to be selling cigarettes. They will ask you in almost EVERY interview if you have a problem with selling cigarettes. If you have an issue with selling tobacco products then this job is not for you. They will also ask you if you smoke cigarettes. You CAN - I repeat - YOU CAN say you DO NOT smoke cigarettes. I said that I did not smoke and I still got the job. As a matter of fact, almost everyone I know from the company does not smoke cigarettes. Do not feel like you have a lesser chance of getting the job if you are a non-smoker.
The people I have met from Philip Morris USA are very easy to deal with if you are a people person. If that is the case you will have no problem fitting in with the company. Good luck with your interview!