Hiring process was fairly difficult but by no fault of GSS. The GSS representive was fair minded and professional and the interview was to the point on qualifications and personal knowledge of possible background issues. The application is fairly lengthy but understandable. My only complaint would be that they misplaced my application for a while, costing me opportunities for work and actual seniority. However, the client's requirements and involvement in the screening process really creates the length, difficulty and tedium of the hiring process.
The contracted investigator used by the client is a mixed bag. Professionally trained, but not all are equal. Some co-workers expressed a very amiable experiance with their particular investigator, while others such as myself drew a paranoid and borderline abusive individual. My advice is to be thick skinned and indifferent and simply be patient and comply with the investigator's questions and quirks as accurately and concisely as you can. It will be over soon enough.
Though my hiring process was lengthened because of clerical error, currently most times the process takes about 3 months