Getting a job in a three or four-letter agency is not easy.
It’s not impossible.
..But it’s not as simple as dropping your resume at the front counter or applying for a role as a Christmas Casual.
If I had to guess, I reckon I get an email a day from someone asking about making a Career change into Intelligence.
I’ve even had Students ask me to pick their Colledge subjects for them.
But getting a job in the CIA / FBI or any Intelligence Agency is not about the subjects you study or the letters after your name.
And no, it’s not about the strange way you count the people in the cafe or sit facing the entrance.
Getting a job in an Intelligence agency, or making a career change to Intelligence takes a degree of commitment, and certainly some investment.
So this week I thought I’d address some of the Freqently Asked Questions (FAQs) I get received from readers wanting a career in Intelligence.
FAQ 1# Am I too Old for an Intelligence Career?
Nathan is 40 years old. He is employed full-time as a professional IT consultant and wants to make a Career change to Intelligence.
Answer: No. You’re Not Too Old
I know some people get down on themselves because they’re not 22-year-old grads applying to join Intel agencies fresh outta College.
No worries, good Intelligence organizations appreciate experience. You’re never too old (unless you’re like 80…it which case yea, you’ve probably had your Career).
But no, 40 is not too old.
FAQ 2# What if I’ve got no experience with Intelligence Roles
Most (if not all) agencies will train you. They all have in-house training programs.
FAQ 3# Is there an easy way to Start an Intelligence Career?
Intelligence Roles are hard to get for two reasons:
1. They’re super competitive – so there’s more talent to choose from.
2. Intelligence jobs require a degree of security and trust. So they don’t make it ‘easy’ to get in.
But there is a way to ‘back-door’ yourself into an Intelligence Job… Police and the Military.
By default, both Police and Military need and use Intelligence. And recruitment / admission is often easier than applying to a three or four-letter agency directly.
I know this route isn’t for everyone, BUT, Intelligence roles abound in both the military and police and often include training.
Here’s the kicker –
Transferring into the Intelligence Community is often much easier from one of these roles – which is why I call it the back door.
FAQ 4# Is there a way to start an Intelligence Career without quitting my current job?
I recommend finding a ‘problem set’ or intelligence ‘skill’ you’re interested in and dominating it.
Owning a unique interest, or developing your expertise in a collection method will make you very attractive to Intelligence Agencies.
My advice is to start applying the skill or working on the problem in open forums.
Eg, OSINT is a unique collection capability, with people who are very good at GEO-location based on images (terrain, buildings, signs, shadow, metadata, etc).
These people are working with companies like Toddington, and Bellingcat to Geolocate the location of crimes and ‘doing intelligence’ today, from their home…or the cafe with 6 people in it.
Owning a problem (i.e. Impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on Fledgling Democracies) or being the best OSINTer will make you extremely marketable, you’ll start doing intelligence from today.
Day one is better than one day.
FAQ 5# Where do I start when it comes to a career in Intelligence?
Learn the basics.
Learn the Intelligence Cycle. How Intelligence informs policy and strategy.
Understand the different Collection Methods, and develop your analytical skills.
Every intelligence professional is an analyst first. Understanding the fundamentals of Intelligence Analysis is Tradecraft101.
FAQ 6# When is the best time to apply for an Intelligence Career
There’s no time like the present.
Seriously. If you’re thinking about a role or job in an Intelligence Organisation –
Apply right now.
What’s the very worst that happens? Nothing? You don’t hear back? Are you really any worse off?
People often delay their application or overthink their responses –
I’ve seen people rework sentences to sound smarter.
If you’re thinking about applying for an Intelligence role. Apply now. Apply today. You’re no worse off.
FAQ 7 #: Which Intelligence Agency Should I Apply to work for?
This depends on the type of work you want to do.
Many people think Intelligence is all ‘cloak and dagger’, but there’s a whole array of different roles and interesting areas to work.
Intelligence Agencies are usually ‘task assigned’, meaning they’re responsible for a particular type of intelligence, or a specific role.
For example, the NSA is the premier SIGINT Agency for the United States Intelligence Community.
However, if you’re interested in working in the area of Intelligence Targeting, the Air Force may be more appropriate.
The answer depends on what you want to do. When you know that, then find the best agency that suits you. Then apply.
FAQ 8# What’s better HUMINT or SIGINT Careers?
Neither. They’re just different.
A lot of people see HUMINT as the ‘sexy’ side of intelligence…but there’s no such thing as better intelligence – it’s all relevant!
Spoiler: The best Intelligence is the type that provides timely and accurate advice to inform decision-makers. (Textbook answer).
FAQ 9# Can I apply for multiple Intelligence agencies at the same time?
Yes. Applications for Intelligence Agencies are all typically managed internally (in each agency). So you can usually apply for multiple at the same time.
Remember though each application is likely to be slightly different.
FAQ 10# If I am unsuccessful at one Intelligence agency can I still apply for another?
Typically, yes.
Of course, you would need to ask yourself why you weren’t successful. If the reason has anything at all to do with a security concern, then this may also jeopardize any other applications.
FAQ 11# How long do I have to wait if I am unsuccessful in my Intelligence Career application?
It depends on each agency and organization.
Generally speaking the wait time (before you can reapply) is between 12-24 months.
Be aware, though, some Intelligence Agencies have a ‘one shot’ rule. This is mostly due to the large number of applications they receive. My advice is to go hard the first time, plan and prepare.
If you are unfortunate to find yourself unsuccessful, and you want to reapply consider what you could do better the second time – and prepare!
FAQ 12# What If I’m sick (or get COVID-19) on one of the assessment days?
People get sick. Intelligence Agencies aren’t immune.
You can typically reschedule, normally with 24 hours notice.
Just do yourself a favor though…and avoid being sick! Go to bed early, eat a healthy breakfast and avoid drinking the night before!
FAQ 13# What if I already have a security clearance (or held one before) do I need to do the security assessment again?
Usually yes!
While having a security clearance already (or in the past) makes your security assessment easier, most agencies will still complete their own vetting and review.
Especially if it’s been some years since you last held a clearance.
FAQ 14# Where are the Interviews and Security Assessments for Intelligence Organisations?
Interviews and security assessments take place in most capital cities.
Sometimes you may be required to travel for secondary (or follow-up) assessments, but initial screening usually occurs in your closest capital city.
FAQ 15# When will I know if my Intelligence Application is successful?
When you get an offer. Not before.
Don’t quit your job expecting to get employment in an intelligence agency; you might be a long time waiting.
FAQ 16# Does having experience in the Police help my application?
Yes.
Similar to Military Experience, Police Officers also display characteristics favorable to Intelligence Agencies. Characteristics such as leadership, duty, and sacrifice.
Police experience is beneficial to Intelligence recruitment.
FAQ 17# How old is too old to apply for a job in Intelligence?
Look, it should be no surprise intelligence agencies are always looking for ‘young talent’, that’s because they want career officers – people who are going to invest time into the agency.
…BUT!!
That doesn’t mean they don’t recruit ‘mature age’ applicants.
A few years ago I had a junior intelligence analyst working for me who was mid-50s! This guy joined because he was sick of his regular 9-5 job and wanted to make a difference. It turns out he was better than all the other ‘junior’ analysts!
FAQ 18# I’m all ears!! What do you want to know?
Write your questions and comments in the field below!