A friend of mine just started a new job where the interview process took 9 months. That's not a typo, that's nine. She was desperate because her last job was just beyond abusive, so much so that it cost her a relationship, and this job is much more in line with what she wanted...but yeah. 9 month process. Oh and now she's hired, but it's on a 6 month probationary period. So all told that's 15 months before she's fully set in this job from when she applied.
Shit like this should be illegal. It won't be at least not in western nations but it should be.