I applied through college or university. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at Purdue University (Hammond, IN) in Aug 2013
Interview
1. Send your resume to Professors who might have funding to hire you during the summer vacation.
2. Interview with Professor before the coming semester.
3. Given offer.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Based on different expectations of profession, they will ask you about your education background and your communication ability.
one interview only. Because the professor was eager to find a student to be a graduate assistant, he didn't ask too much question to me. The only thing he cared was that the ability to use one kind of geographical information system software, named ArcGIS. When he asked me if I could do the research with that software, I said yes. As a result, he hired me.