What do I need to work for MI5/6?

You need to pass the fitness tests, including running AND swimming (I don't know why they see it necessary to be an excellent swimmer but hey :confused:

)

Because a lot of field ops involve water, for all of the armed forces

Reply 21

Mark85

16

Original post by MoonShadowWolf

So, i'm kind of an adventurer and my dream job would be to work for MI5/6 on operations in the field. Simply because no 2 days would be the same and i would get to combine work and travel. I understand that I will probably have to start in a lower position like as an intelligence analyst and work my way up. I was just wondering if anyone knew of any work experience/volunteering I could get to help me acheive this goal?

Thanks

If you got a job with those organisations, then aside from liaising internally and with different agencies - you would probably spend most of your time at a desk. Unless you have a very particular background - it is extremely unlikely that you would be any type of field operative.

Realistically, aside from the academics - the one thing that they are always looking out for is people with certain language skills which, depending on which of the agencies you mentioned, include Pashto, Dari, Arabic, Bengali, Gujarati, Somali etc. So learn those and then that way, you can spend your days in a cubicle listening to the friends and colleagues of suspected terrorists and drug dealers calling their old mums back home.

Reply 22

Foghorn Leghorn

16

To answer your question it depends on the role. However for intelligence officer if i remember correctly, you need a 2:2 degree, be over 21, a british citizen, not have used illegal drugs in the past 12 months. There would also be a security and background checks for any criminal convictions. It would also be an advantage to know a foreign language.

Oh and take it from me (if you've missed what everyone else has already said) it's not as exciting as it seems. You will most likely be sitting at a desk 8 hours a day or shadowing a diplomat and going to diplomatic conferences. There are james bond-esque (i use this term lightly) roles in the SIS but you don't apply for them, you are chosen to do them and they are few and far between.

If you want adventure, join the militay or even better join the police. You will never be short of action in the police and funnily enough they are more like the films than the sis.

Also you aren't supposed to tell people you've applied, after all it is the secret intelligence service.

Reply 23

Dukeofwembley

u need nvq level 2 in handling polonium

Reply 24

FuLLuPMepOrtION

13

Do you need a language requirement to be an intelligence analyst? also, is there a job which combines intelligence analysis within a more risky environment?

Reply 25

. . .

Original post by MoonShadowWolf

So, i'm kind of an adventurer and my dream job would be to work for MI5/6 on operations in the field. Simply because no 2 days would be the same and i would get to combine work and travel. I understand that I will probably have to start in a lower position like as an intelligence analyst and work my way up. I was just wondering if anyone knew of any work experience/volunteering I could get to help me acheive this goal?

Thanks

Good luck.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/spy-in-a-bag-may-have-been-executed-by-secret-agents-coroner-hears-7604120.html

Reply 26

Manitude

20

You could just, y'know, look online at the official webpage.
https://www.sis.gov.uk/

Reply 27

standreams

14

Original post by x-Sophie-x

Just a year ago, I wanted to be the exact same thing as you. Everyone kept telling me I must be joking, and in the end I gave up because I thought I was being ridiculous. But your thread has made me think about it all again :biggrin:

I did some research about it a while ago. You need to pass the fitness tests, including running AND swimming (I don't know why they see it necessary to be an excellent swimmer but hey :confused:

) This didn't quite answer your question, but my advice to you is to become physically more fit and healthy (and I mean seriously fit); train your brain to answer questions immediately; and learn some basic first aid...it's all vital stuff for the role, and if you are already in good condition, they will be more likely to consider you ;D And they really aren't looking for "volunteering" and the like for this kind of job. If you want to work inside the offices, then this won't apply obviously. Good luck!

There are no fitness tests to join either M15 or SIS (both of which are civilian organisations). You are confused.

Reply 28

Solid.Snake

12

Original post by und

But that's what they all say. :wink:

Well said! :biggrin:

Reply 29

x-Sophie-x

13

Original post by standreams

There are no fitness tests to join either M15 or SIS (both of which are civilian organisations). You are confused.

Hmm. Maybe. What about MI6 then? I know there are fitness tests on something, for someone working out on the field, but now I'm confused as to what? o.O

Reply 30

ThatPerson

18

Original post by PerArduaAdAstra

I'm not kidding, I don't think you'll be able to now that you've posted this. I saw an advert in the paper refering to the secret service and it said you shouldn't speak to anyone about your intentions.

All you know is a nametag on an internet forum. You have no idea what is OP's real name, age or even where they live . This forum thread has hardly ruined his/her chances.

What it means is that if you are applying you shouldn't tell all of your friends, etc - only your immediate family members should know( i.e. spouse, parents, etc).

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 31

ThatPerson

18

Original post by MoonShadowWolf

So, i'm kind of an adventurer and my dream job would be to work for MI5/6 on operations in the field. Simply because no 2 days would be the same and i would get to combine work and travel. I understand that I will probably have to start in a lower position like as an intelligence analyst and work my way up. I was just wondering if anyone knew of any work experience/volunteering I could get to help me acheive this goal?

Thanks

To answer your question, there is no work experience you could do within the intelligence services; they don't offer it for obvious security reasons. The only option here is to apply to join them. The only kind of experience that could help is working with sensitive information in another government department, but that's speculation at best.

Reply 32

Drewski

19

Original post by ThatPerson

All you know is a nametag on an internet forum. You have no idea what is OP's real name, age or even where they live . This forum thread has hardly ruined his/her chances.

What it means is that if you are applying you shouldn't tell all of your friends, etc - only your immediate family members should know( i.e. spouse, parents, etc).

However, when the respective organisations do their vetting if/when the OP applies, this will come up as something in their past and they will be asked about it - I've had similar happen to me.

Reply 33

ThatPerson

18

Original post by Drewski

However, when the respective organisations do their vetting if/when the OP applies, this will come up as something in their past and they will be asked about it - I've had similar happen to me.

Only if OP lists her name as MoonShadowWolf :wink:

Reply 34

Drewski

19

Original post by ThatPerson

Only if OP lists her name as MoonShadowWolf :wink:

Or if the OP is subjected to an IP search which shows up their activity on the web...

I, at the time, was questioned about my activity on fb and TSR, my friend in the RN was asked about some of the things he'd been searching and reading up about... If you're going to get a high level clearance they will check, no point pretending otherwise.

Reply 35

username607202

17

Get a degree first. :smile:

Reply 36

mimx

14

Original post by FuLLuPMepOrtION

is there a job which combines intelligence analysis within a more risky environment?

Just cut two of the legs off your desk chair, that's pretty risky.

Reply 37

mimx

14

Original post by Drewski

Or if the OP is subjected to an IP search which shows up their activity on the web...

I, at the time, was questioned about my activity on fb and TSR, my friend in the RN was asked about some of the things he'd been searching and reading up about... If you're going to get a high level clearance they will check, no point pretending otherwise.

There's no such thing as an 'IP search' that can look into historical browsing.

Typing your name into Facebook is not some advanced CSI technology.

Reply 38

FuLLuPMepOrtION

13

Original post by mimx

Just cut two of the legs off your desk chair, that's pretty risky.

Anyone else ever noticed tha all of the jokes on TSR just follow on from each other? it shows at best a lack of basic social skills.

Reply 39

Drewski

19

Original post by mimx

There's no such thing as an 'IP search', whatever that's supposed to mean.

Typing your name into Facebook is not some advanced CSI technology.

When you're subjected to Developed Vetting for a clearance within the Intelligence sector you can come back and tell me what they're able to find out about you. Until then, believe me when I say that they can find out.

What do I need to work for MI5/6?

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