1) I was approached through mail, followed up by scheduling team, set for 1:1 discussion.
2) Reached sapient bangalore office, though invitation mail mentioned about some written test, I was directly given scenario based problem. It consist of a detailed problem statement and I was given 1.5 hr to organize my thoughts and notes.
3) Then 1:1 round was based on the problem. Think about any typical website development life cycle and discussion touched every technical part of it. Though no particular technical topic was asked in detail, you should be clear about each and every step.
My view on interviewer: Well planned on what to ask and cross check, droved through each section. Though personally i felt that he might be a senior manager rather then an architect.
I enjoyed, it was like a long peer discussion and performed in a friendly environment. Other then 1 question where i couldn't get the interviewer, I don't think I paused anywhere.
This was end of the good journey and further I would narrate the way it happened.
1) Firstly I was asked to stay and attend the next round on same day, I was there for another 1 hr waiting for next round. Then was told that 'Panel is not available and HR will follow up'. Little weird as I was even offered lunch in between.
2) Then I actually got follow up call and was set for another round on same day. But 30 min's before call, call was cancelled citing the same reason. Still it was fine as proactive call was done at every step, though it had wasted my half day.
3) Next day I waited for the call but call never came. I tried reaching them and wrote a mail.
Next thing, I got a surprise of my life, from so called professional team of sapient - 'Interviewer is reconsidered his opinion and now they have decided not to call me'. :)).
After couple of follow up mails from me, I was communicated with the interviewer's feedback. Nice gesture, but none of the HR / follow up team said a single sorry for their goof up.
My Conclusion: I don't buy the reason that any interviewer will reconsider his decision in that fashion. May be position was not finalized and they were waiting for same. At the same same wanted me to be interested.
Salary: Based on my first discussion I can say that they pay above average. I was more or less at the same level and was already clarified in the beginning itself.