The first time I applied, the job posting stated they accept equivalent qualifications, so I submitted my accredited equivalency report giving me just short of a bachelors degree. Received a response saying that I need US qualifications which completely contradicts the stipulated criteria. Went and got a GED then 6 months later reapplied.
Straight forward, fill out the forms, answer the questions and then you're at the mercy of your assigned background investigator. Some are great and work with you to get the required information, others not so great and don't offer so much as a hand shake or eye contact during background interview (that was min). I am a European applicant and the first words that the background investigator said to me where "How do I check this". Didn't exactly fill me with confidence that I was going to get fair treatment.
Long story short 4 months later I received a rejection letter. Personally I believe my background investigator didn't want to put any effort or communication in to doing the background check so I failed as a complete history couldn't be established. Emails offering my assistance remained unanswered, voice mails not returned. It was easier to reject my application than what it would have been to put the work in. I appreciate Europe can be particularly tiresome trying to get personal information because of the Data Protection laws they have.
