This only applies to people who are already working in the industry (vs brand new college recruits.) I was directly contacted by a GS recruiter. It took them over 6 weeks to complete the interview process and background check! Step 1: You get pre-screened by the recruiter. Step 2: Your resume gets floated around through several groups for which you might be a fit (and that have a head count budget to hire you.) Step 3: Any groups that want to interview will let HR know they want to hire you. Step 4: One or more phone interviews (more, if you are remote and will have to relocate.) Step 5: One or more onsite interviews that will last 2 - 6 hours (if you have the time). Step 6: If manager wants to hire you, then the recruiter comes back and negotiates your salary. There may be some back-and-forth phone calls on this if your salary requirements are higher then they anticipated. Step 7: Assuming this all works out, then have to go through the background check. This typically takes at least 4 weeks! Step 8: Assuming that you haven't decided to go work somewhere in the meantime, you'll get an offer and start date.