kcsgc,
IMHO (assuming you refer to regular LC),
1)
One of these:
a) State SESA ok-s your petittion (ETA750), the company advertises the position as stated in the petition, sections 12, 14, 15 for a month. State SESA also advertises it in it's own job banks.
b) State SESA sends back a letter indicating some problem in the application - usually prevailing wage mismatch, too restrictive requirements, etc. The comapny (attorney) has to respond and either accept their suggestions or prove the company's case. Once sides agree, SESA ok-s an updated petition.
2)
What kind of responses you get depends on your requirements.
If you're advertising Computer Programmer, you'll probably get many responses, if you advertise - Computer Programmer in SmallTalk 3.21 with API for X windows (I'm just making this up), you'll probably get few responses. But, the requirements should not be too restrictive or unusually sounding.
What "too restrictive" and "unnusually sounding" means is a subjective matter to be evaluated by LC officer. At this point, it depends on the lawyer and his knowledge of the local market/SESA in a given field to properly estimate the "golden medium".
Generally, I think, it's good to work in a rear technology which does relate to some well known name. Like, OpenView programmer, where OpenView is a product of SUN microsystems. This is just my opinion though. There's definatelly some (if not a lot) luck involved.
3)
If there are few or no responses (these few should be disqualified on just bases), you have a good chances. If there are many responses and not all candidates have been interviewed and properly disqualified, well, then you'll most likely get a NOF from DOL.
Again, the Attorney's experience in a given field, given state and with given SESA seems to be a crusial success factor.