Recruitment for MI5/MI6 - AIBU to think that they find you, you can't apply?

[DoTheHop]

Does anyone know how this happens?
They appear to have an application process, but I'm not sure what they're looking for.
An ex of mine was contacted by them after his degree, in Computers and Maths I think, but according to him (not sure if true or bullshit) he'd have had to meet them in a field and never bothered.
I've a ds who is interested in this field. It's not really something you see discussed. I'm not sure what area of it he is interested in - he just finds it fascinating really.
Do they really take applications or is it a case of them hunting you down lol?

No, they advertise and take applicants via their website(s). Their initial stages are not that different from other Civil Service applications, though they often have an initial screening process (re: nationality and qualifications for the role mainly). They've also advertised in the papers.

They still do the "tap on the shoulder", but that is normally making people aware of the vacancies and encouraging them to apply. Only if they think you are a fit, will they then start to properly screen you. You are asked to give the names of four friends, who are then approached by them to ask them about your background. Sometimes they are asked to suggest friends themselves.

"I guess people who work for them don't really say they do, maybe that they work for the MOD or something"

People who work for MI5 are supposed to say that they work for the Home Office. MI6 is the Foreign Office.

They advertise online. Also gchq. Or approach them. Vetting process is pretty harsh, as it should be.

Do they recruit from the army, as that was one thing I suggested to DS (no idea whether they do though)

I know someone who left the army in his early 50s and was offered a role (or should I say, "strongly encouraged to apply for a role with a high chance of success") for MI5 as a Surveillance Officer - I guess military types would be perfect for that.

I was contacted by a chap “from the government” who travelled up from London and visited me at home in the town where I was living at the time. He asked lots of questions about my friend and my relationships with him, his family and his other friends. All very secret squirrel. My friend got in, but he didn’t discuss which department he worked in or what he did. I still have no idea

That sounds exactly like security vetting and the kinds of questions they'd ask (I actually saw a job advertised to do this a bit back - it wasn't with the Secret Service, because they also vet people for other, less crucial roles) for MI5 or MI6. I'd be 90% sure he's one or the other

Hello OP

I had a good friend who had a masters in Criminology and went on to study a PHD in something to do with counter terrorism. She was extremely bright and spoke both Arabic and Russian fluently. She was approached directly by them but I suppose in today's day and age she was a textbook perfect candidate for them. She also turned them down, and she now works for the UN in Geneva. However, they also accept direct applications. Google MI6 careers and they have an application page. Another great alternative is GCHQ. They also accept direct applications. Good luck to your son in getting his dream job!

Mi5 use the MoD as cover.

It’s well known in the public domain.
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3252435/amp/Former-MI5-officer-reveals-REALLY-takes-spy.html

“The cover that you’re given is that you work for the Ministry of Defence,' she says. 'Everyone then starts snoring at the thought of civil servant work. Sometimes you can be unlucky and bump into someone who does work for the MOD and they ask you which department you work in.”

Stella Rimington’s novels has the Home Officer as cover which the main character uses. I wonder if Mi5 told her to change it when they checked before she published.

Although actual Ministry of Defence employees it call it the “Mod” not “M o D” which is probably how you can tell who is using it as cover!

An ex boyfriend At uni with a phd in physics Was approached.
He turned them down and became a rich banker instead

They advertise all the time, in the right places.

Think your ds needs to think about what he actually wants to do.... They're not all James Bond! it's not just running around, spying n shooting enemies.

Your friend was definitely not contacted to meet in a field.

Even the decriptors of WW2, responded to a post in the times.

I had a friend year ago, that told me, a car would turn up for him, with instructions inside... He was a bull shutter, so didn't get taken in by that, but I do know he had a suited job at the MOD.

Staff at Mi5/Mi6/GCHQ are not armed, nor do they have the power of arrest.

It’s not like they can just “take people out” otherwise there would be no terrorists and North Korea would cease to exist. Although China is now the new superpower and our military is completely outnumbered but that’s a different story.

There is loads of paperwork and legislation. James Bonds do not exist. Special Forces do but they are military. Not civil servants in an office job earning 20k.

apply.army.mod.uk/roles/infantry/sas-reserve

Soldiers. Not James Bond.

Every time I see "SAS" I think "Super Army Soldiers"

lso how can "no-one can know, you can't tell anyone" work alongside "they interview all your friends, family and employers about you" - surely then everyone would know?

That just if you sign the official secrets act at certain levels (I think there's levels, not totally sure)
DH has, and no, he hasn't worked in intelligence, or even for a government agency of any description. So even if you're interviewed then you can't tell what they're actually doing.
They interviewed one of our friends, she told us about it. They asked if he was careful with money-and she said "well, when our families go for a day out he always insists they take a packed lunch rather than buy it."

If I tell you any more than I'll have to send Jeremy Corbyn round as a stripogram to explode your computer...

My DD (with a degree in politics and international relations), applied to MI5, and had to go to London to take the entrance exam, but that was as far as she got. Can't remember how she found out how to apply, or where to.

The MI5 one just looked like it could have come from the home office and had full address etc.

MI5 comes under the Home Office and MI6 comes under FCO. GCHQ works with FCO according to gov.uk

I used to see posts in all of them advertised within MOD when I worked there. I regret not applying, but I was already stuck in a relationship with my abusive ex and he told me not to.... I wish I had applied, it might have got me out of there a lot, lot sooner.

I actually applied straight out of uni and passed the first stage (presumably where they check for skeletons) then was asked in for an assessment centre, which I promptly failed, and that was the end of that. . I also realised then that I was shit at keeping secrets and pretty much told everyone I knew where I was going

Look on the websites. It's all right there - process, degree requirements, desirable qualifications. Why ask mumsnet when you can get actual information instead of random gossip?

My brother was approached after university. Didn't fancy the whole having to keep it a secret from your family thing (or so he told us!)

I know of someone who was asked at university if he was interested. I think he went to a meeting in London (not a field-think how obvious you'd be in a field , much easier to blend in as a "normal" business meeting in London) and decided it wasn't for him.
His degree was Classics.

I'm now wondering whether you know my husband! He was tapped after taking the expedited promotion civil service exams, but after the interview told them he wasn't interested.

I know a few people. Mostly servicemen/women ex SF. Some approached after specific trips (for example people in unrelated industries who had been working in interesting places overseas eg HK) who were then interviewed regarding their experiences and asked if they would be prepared to do follow up information gathering type work.
And some family.
I’m ex-military though. All totally normal people with totally normal family relationships. They just don’t talk about work much, and just say MOD or civil service if they get asked. I could probably take an educated guess of the type of work for a couple. I wouldn’t ask. But most of us who are a bit older had a cover story about our employment for security reasons, and checked under the car for explosives before driving. Normality varies.

@Rafaroo "also turned them down, and she now works for the UN in Geneva."

Or did she... 🤔

Your Son has nothing to lose by applying if he is truly fascinated by this world , & it sounds as though whatever path he chooses if it's computers he's interested in , his academic accomplishments would take him far in the modern world ! Of course a lot of teenage boys imagine the whole Daniel craig or Tom cruise mission impossible scenario, but that's really no different to why a lot of youngsters join the armed forces. If technology is a passion of his why not see how far it can take him . Wishing you all a wonderful festive period

@Andysbestadventure - LOL! Good point! I don't see much of her these days so who knows?!

My school had a high Oxbridge entry and we had talks from external speakers about various careers including one that was particularly memorable (it was many many years ago) on joining the Diplomatic service. There were suggestions that those applying may be filtered for other appropriate careers where they may be more useful. We all believed that they meant that you could end up working as a spy. It sounded very plausible as they carry out similar background checks.

This is the best thread ever! I love this sort of stuff.nothing to add but I am fascinated!

Everyone who has been assessed successfully or not will always tell you their application wasn't taken any further.