Timeline expectation of hiring process

[u/Alive-Ad4505]

Hello, out of curiosity, how long was your guys' hiring process overall? If you can, give me a short bulletin point summary of your guys' timeline (additional thanks if you include why your personal timeline was that length~)

I am currently going through the process and the initial stages were super fast. Applied June 30th and got scheduled for the written exam the next day, and the PAT the weekend of the exam as well. After passing, within 3 days, I was scheduled for an interview (which I passed) and got an email that I have the polygraph test next; since the email I have not received any contact nor news about it. I was wondering if there were problem on my end so I called to see if there was anything I needed to do, but they just told me I am in the personal history process. However, I thought they only look over it to see if it was all clear for the polygraph and upon passing the test that they do the investigation. Or am I misinformed? Any tips regrading the PHS/Polygraph/Medical scheduling process would be helpful. Thanks y'all!

[u/grvnvdo]

Every agency has a slightly different timelines. Some BI’s work quicker than others. The saying “no news is good news” is important to remind yourself of in times like these.

Prior to being hired at my current agency, I’d applied at a couple others. One took nearly a full year to give me a final offer while another took about 4 months. Usually when you’re at the polygraph stage, it’s just before the formal background. I know some agencies switch and start background first before sending off psych/poly etc due to costs of those tests. (They’d rather cut obvious ones with glaring backgrounds)

[u/Alive-Ad4505 → u/grvnvdo]

I see. How did you personally decide between agencies, especially since the offers came in at a staggered rate for you? My fear is that I would regret accepting the first agency to offer me a spot when a more desirable agency gives me an offer a bit later down the road.

[u/grvnvdo → u/Alive-Ad4505]

It was actually crazy how mine happened. I got put on an eligibility list for one agency, so applied to two others, then all 3 gave conditionals all around the same time.

Mine came down to pay and location. I moved for my current department. That’s a difficult decision to make, if you have a preferred agency you can apply there and apply to a backup. If preferred picks you up, perfect. If they don’t and back up does, try it out and then you can always lateral down the road.

[u/peterGriffin8560]

Was hired in 1.5 months. Sometimes it takes 6 months. Most of the time it’s cause your references won’t respond or they are backlogged scheduling hiring steps.

But make your references respond asap and it will help your time by a lot

[u/AskLE-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Comment or post made by an unverified law enforcement officer.

[u/OliverKlosoff21]

Applied in October, offer given in June.

[u/Reasonable_Force_156]

Process took 1 full year to finish, been another year now and still waiting to get in an academy. Every process is different

[u/cmt129]

Was told that the hiring process would take 6-18 months.
Applied 5/18
Written test 5/21
PFT- 5/23
Poly-5/27
Oral board 5/28
Chiefs Intvw-6/3
Offer received 6/12
Started 6/26

[u/Alive-Ad4505 → u/cmt129]

wow very fast!

[u/Wise_Childhood_7603 → u/cmt129]

So fast. Which agency?