Labor market consultant Glassdoor thoroughly studied the hiring process, and reports great strides have been made — albeit, at only a handful of companies. How have Glassdoor's Top 10 done it? To a large extent, Glassdoor says, they have risen to the top by doing the following:

• Sharpening up interview difficulty, focusing on testing specific on-the-job skills during interviews.

• Moving toward standardized interview questions to reduce interviewer bias and allow more objective comparisons of candidates.

• Cut unnecessary candidate screens (such as layered interviews) that add to hiring delays without significantly improving candidate quality.

• Use data, experimentation and statistical methods to study what actually works and doesn't in company interview processes.

Glassdoor has been asking job candidates to share their interview experiences, and, after gathering input from thousands of job seekers, Glassdoor has unveiled its list of the top 10 best companies to interview for.

Related: Employers: Social media is your friend

Drumroll, please, as we count down the top 10. The accompanying scores are based upon a proprietary rating system developed by Glassdoor:

One of the Big Four auditors (another makes the list, but which one?), PricewaterhouseCoopers has been ranked as the most pretigious accounting firm in the world for seven consecutive years by Vault Accounting. (Photo: iStock)

10. PricewaterhouseCoopers (83 percent)

This international consulting firm began life as an old-line accounting firm, but refused to remain stuck in old ways. Eschewing the accounting profession's reputation for stuffiness and formality, PricewaterhouseCoopers (which goes by PwC) earned kudos from candidates for offering a "laid-back and low-stress" interviewing experience.

Quote from a candidate: "[The] overall the interview process was incredibly enjoyable. Great people that seemed very interested in what I had to say. A lot of time given for you to ask them questions."

Most people are familiar with Walt Disney, but the Walt Disney Co. was originally founded in 1923 by Walt and his brother Roy O. Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. (Photo: iStock)

9. Walt Disney Co. (83 percent)

A company that many fantasize about working for turns out  to be  easy on the interview end. "Professional and organized" was the way candidates found their experience.

Quote from a candidate: "The interview process took about a couple hours. After the interview, we had a tour of the campus and a brief history of the company."

Like PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young is a top audit firm, and is the third-largest professional services firm in the world, behind PwC and Deloitte. (Photo: iStock)

8. Ernst & Young (84 percent)

Another firm that evolved from the accounting profession determined to build a new culture wins praise for its recruitment and hiring system. Those who went through that process say the company actually seemed to want to get to know them — a result that most hiring processes prevent from happening.

Quote from a candidate: "They worked hard to get to know me, and I met with a number of people who gave me great info into the culture and corporate environment at EY. I'm excited to be beginning a new phase of my career with this team." 

As of 2014, Southwest Airlines carries the most domestic fliers of any U.S. airline. (Photo: iStock)

7. Southwest Airlines (84 percent)

The company that coined "bags fly free!" seems to be coining an internal motto: "Candidates can relax!" While working for a major international carrier is certainly an invitation to challenge one's stress management abilities, folks who spoke with Southwest's team describe the experience as "the opposite of uptight."

Quote from a candidate: "I was taken into a fun colorful room to take selfies — yup, selfies — and then waltzed through a highly conversational, and low-stress, interview."

Another company started by brothers, H&R Block was founded in downtown Kansas City by Henry W. Bloch following World War II. (Photo: iStock)

6. H&R Block (84 percent)

Another old-schooler that earned extremely high marks from job candidates, H&R Block got strong positive feedback for its highly professional and interactive interviewing style.

Quote from a candidate: "The interview process was very professional, I met with the Regional Director as well as with two other District managers. Two separate panel interviews. Each with one District manager and the Regional Director. It was very interactive and I was given plenty of opportunities to ask questions delve into the company and position."

Did you know that J. Crew first started as a company called Popular Merchandise Inc. in 1947? It didn't become J. Crew until 1989, the same year the first J. Crew retail store opened in downtown Manhattan. (Photo: iStock)

5. J. Crew (85 percent)

OK, admit it, you thought there would be more J. Crews and Ubers and Targets and other hip, cutting-edge companies on this list.

J. Crew is pretty much the exception that proves the rule that the more veteran, lower-profile employers have a better grip on the interview process. Of J. Crew, the consensus was that those doing the interviewing were personable and friendly, looking for a good fit (pun intended) rather than a reason to usher a candidate out the door quickly.

Quote from a candidate: "The manager made a great introduction with a background on what the position will entail … he was formal but also super cool casual. He busted out jokes to lighten up the mood … This was probably the best interview I've ever experienced …"

Bank of New York Mellon is the world's largest custodian bank. (Photo: iStock)

4. Bank of New York Mellon (85 percent)

Finally, we hear that magic word, "transparency," from the candidates for jobs with this financial institution.

So much research has shown that job candidates begin with the interview process to evaluate potential employers on their transparency. Another term that popped up: comfortable. The two conditions do seem to be joined at the hip.

Quote from a candidate: "Everyone was incredibly warm, friendly, and responsive. The recruiter who initially reached out to me was awesome and answered any questions I had right away. The entire process was transparent and I got a true sense of why each person wanted to be at BNY Mellon."

93

While it might be hard to believe, Caterpillar has been around since the 1890s. The company got its name when company photographer Charles Clements said the tractor crawled like a caterpillar. (Photo: iStock)

3. Caterpillar (86 percent)

Forget your mental construct of Caterpillar as a dinosaur from the Rustbelt. You may be seeing a lot more of those "Cat" hats around when the word gets out that this place knows how to treat job prospects.

Not only is the interview itself smooth as silk, the company takes care of its candidates as though they were already top performers, even fixing them up with their own "host" during the process.

Quote from a candidate: "Caterpillar booked/paid for my flight, rental car, hotel, and meals, as well as personal mileage on my car. The night before interviews I was given a tour of the town and taken to a nice dinner with the 'host' (the person responsible for guiding you around the company, answering questions, etc)."

As the world's seventh largest professional services network, Grant Thornton employs over 42,000 people. 

2. Grant Thornton (87 percent)

Another employer that has survived the vagaries of corporate existence to emerge stronger than ever, Grant Thornton tailors its interview process to identify those that will succeed on the job. "They emphasize fit," was the general consensus.

Quote from a candidate: "Audit managers and partner were super down to earth and approachable. GPA and academics are important to them, but they seemed to be mostly interested in getting to know me and seeing how well my personality fits in the company."

Earlier this year, Sherwin-Williams announced the acquistion of rival Valspar for $9 billion. (Photo: iStock)

1. Sherwin-Williams (88 percent)

An empire founded upon house paint is built strong on solid Midwestern principles and a constantly evolving product line. "Friendly and honest" was the go-to descriptor of the company, a what-you-see-is-what-you-get style from a no-nonsense manufacturing company.

Quote from a candidate: "All friendly folks, upfront and honest, looking to hire the 'right' people. Never felt out of sorts or uncomfortable and made me realize this is definitely a company I would like to work for."