I "applied" online. This consistent primarily of indicating my availability and a multiple choice "personality" test. Almost immediately (like next day) I received a contingent offer - I figure this is automated based on hiring need and the availability I indicated. I was asked to attend a hiring event for the location I had chosen. I applied at Cranbury, Robbinsville, and Florence locations. I was advised not to even bother with Robbinsville because of how the location was managed, but it was nearest to my home. I attended the Cranbury event first. There were hookers at the Days Inn location it was held at (not Amazons fault...I don't think). I sat through the presentation, and asked the woman filling out my docs how applications to multiple locations worked. She advised that I'd need to decide quickly or Amazon would decide for me by withdrawing my app from one and I may not end up with my preferred location. I took my ID pic and was instructed on how to complete the drug screen sample (open the package, don't touch the cotton, the instructor noted the time you put it in your mouth, hold for 10 minutes. Remove the collection stick, place it in the vial, cover the vial with the label, insert vial into bag, close bag and seal with second label.) When I completed it, I went home. Entire process took about 40 minutes.
The following day I had the "Hiring Event" for Robbinsville location held at Integrity Staffing in Trenton. I almost would have preferred the hookers; It was a complete disaster. One completely disinterested receptionist, and a room full of people sitting for over an hour waiting to see the same 8 minute video I had seen the day before.
I noticed a guy standing in at a table completing his drug test. When I looked down at my drug test form the receptionist had already filled out the part that said when I inserted the collection stick! Okay, so thats inaccurate. There was a new test on the table so, using the instructions I had gained yesterday, I completed my own test and sealed the bag. Someone from Integrity eventually walked over, thanked me and told me I would hear back. I stopped her and said um, I haven't gotten my schedule yet! She asked if I had sat through the video yet. I said "Yesterday, but they told me to come back." Not necessarily untrue
*Shrug*
So she walked me passed all those people that had been there for a long time before I arrived and she assigned my schedule. This took longer than the entire process from the day before but I was still in and out faster than all the people that were sitting in there when I arrived. The video was still not playing when I left.
That was friday. On Monday I received my "formal offer," and an email requesting me to confirm my start date - I applied on 8/14, took my drug test 8/17 and the start date they offered was 8/31. Nice. I got another email to review and acknowledge (via Esign) about 15-20 documents including direct deposit and cell phone use (which literally says, leave your phone in your car or at home). The next day I received a second request to complete my I-9 which had been submitted twice already (once in Cranberry, once in Robbinsville). I logged in and completed it. I'm waiting for the New Hire Orientation module (to be completed online and the time spent is included on your first paycheck).
From Application to Start Date would be 17 calendar days.