I completed an on-line application, submitted a resume, and got a form email. Within two weeks, a field supervisor called and conducted an interview by phone. She explained that she would be the supervisor for my region (if I was hired). She was polite and professional, asking questions relating to my job experience, pay requirements, and reasons for wanting the position. She then gave me a formal, conditional job offer. Upon my acceptance of the job offer, I was required to complete a credit check and federal criminal-background check (rather complex, stressful because of time constraints). This requires very specific job-history dates and 3-4 each of professional and personal references. Westat provided tutorials and excellent phone-hotline support for the on-line process. Some tutorials were out of date, with slightly conflicting information (due to ever-changing government regulations). I had difficulty finding a local law-enforcement office to complete the paper ("rolled") fingerprinting, as some agencies only do digital prints. Later, I underwent a brief in-person interview with a police detective who traveled to my city by appointment. This part of the process is fairly routine, similar to the on-line questionnaire. I received a laptop and training manuals and completed several easy on-line quizzes on general-interviewing techniques. I signed and mailed documents and affidavits to the home office. I received a travel itinerary, training schedule, and contact numbers for the travel agency, which set up my reservations according to my own travel preferences. Airline tickets and the hotel room were prepaid by the company. Incidental travel expenses and mileage were out-of-pocket (reimbursable), most of which were paid as a per diem immediately upon arrival at registration. I presented employment documents in person, had my photo taken for an ID badge, and completed the two-week classroom training. Payment for training came quickly by electronic deposit.