In total my process about 20 days. I saw a sign saying the USPS was hiring and went online found the closest city to me and applied. I live in Oakland but the nearest job posting was for SF and Walnut Creek. I applied for both. After applying the Walnut creek application contacted me to take a computer assessment. This test you take will give you a score that will be your score for 6 months until you're able to retake it. If you take the test a second time it keeps the higher of the two scores. If you get over 70 points that's good over 80 and your in for sure. Veterans also get additional point for there service. Not exactly sure how that works. The test is based on sorting data, multiple choice, seeing if you can fill out paperwork correctly-all easy, and memorization which is not as easy! After my test maybe 3 days later I received an email saying I should fill out a criminal background check questionnaire online and when I was done with that it needed to be faxed into the company. I also received another email asking me to schedule a drug test which I did immediately and that all happened in about 3 days. I was told to come in for an interview on Wednesday which took about 5 hrs. Mostly filling paperwork out. Lots and lots of it. Then they did individual interviews which were, as many others have said, basic. They tell you about the job and ask you... 1. What do you think this job involves? 2. How would you handle an irate customer? Some other people got different questions but they were asked casually in conversation. Like, "oh you worked for an airline? What kind of things did you do in a day?" Then they say if you pass your drug test and we want to hire you we will phone you. I had already done my drug test to day before the interview so they called me the very next day to offer employment. Hurray!! Interview on Wednesday, called and offered employment on Thursday. I have orientation this Monday. Also** city carrier assistant is a non career position. Meaning you do not belong to a union and do not get health benefits until you are offered a career position. You HAVE to be a "temporary" CCA before you become a City Carrier. At most it's a year of work and then an evaluation. I believe you get 3,6, and/or 9 month reviews as well.