US companies and tech giants with the longest and shortest interviews

You have just had an interview and are pretty confident that you did well. You’re waiting for the callback that will let you know if you got the job.

It can be a frustrating and agonizing experience. As this study by Career.io demonstrates, the length of time you wait for a job depends on which company you are applying to. It ranks the time it takes for top US companies to offer interviews to candidates.

Take a closer view.

US companies with the longest and shortest interview processes

Just under 40 days (39.27 to be precise) is all it takes to get a dream job at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This is the longest interviewing process for any US organization or company included in the Career.io study.

It’s not only the longest, but also the most difficult interview process. Three senior FBI agents interview the aspiring recruits. They are asked a series behavioral and scenario questions to assess their ethical judgment and decision-making.

The written test is followed by an extensive background check and a fitness test consisting of a 1.5 mile run. A comprehensive medical examination follows.

You might be able to flash that FBI badge if you pass all of these. You’ll need to be exceptional. The FBI accepts new applicants at a rate of less than 5%.

McDonald’s is at the opposite end of the spectrum. On average, no-experience-required jobs have an interview process that takes 5.32 days. Someone who interviews Monday may be flipping burgers by the weekend.

How long does the interviewing process take at top US tech firms?

After their initial interview, candidates applying for tech-based positions at Uber, Amazon and Netflix receive final responses within 10-14 days.

NVIDIA also has a quick selection process. The candidates who are interviewing with the most exciting company in the industry today will find out the outcome of their interviews within 15 days.

There are also the large tech companies where things can move a bit slower. Google takes over 20 days to hire a candidate. The interview is designed to test candidates’ technical and behavioral competencies. Google interview brain-teasers have in the past included questions such as “How many golfballs can fit into a school bus?”

Apple and Oracle have similar interview schedules, with candidates able to expect their interview journeys to last between 22-25 days.

What’s the problem? These are the same companies that love to break things and move fast.

Not anymore. Or, at least when it comes recruiting.

Google and Apple were once start-ups but are now full-blown corporations. This means that they must sift though a large number of applicants and conduct background checks, as well as multiple interviews.

Interviewing for jobs at US Restaurant Chains

How fast restaurants can serve customers is what makes them successful. They also apply this approach when hiring new staff because hiring in the restaurant industry is always quick.

Most candidates who interview at Subway, Jimmy John’s and Papa John’s get a response within five days.

Even restaurants that have a lengthy interview process like Starbucks or In-N-Out Burger like to tell their candidates if they got the job in just over a weeks time.