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?

I saw an advert for MI5 or MI6 this week on LinkedIn - they were looking for a commercial lawyer. They do advertise.

If you are good with computers you could also look at GCHQ. They advertise too.

Someone at my work did work experience there. Not sure how she got it! She was a solicitor with us.

Well his nerdy computer stuff (that I don't understand) may stand to him if he studies computer science. He's not good at languages though.
Maybe he can apply at the end of his degree or something.

My DH applied back in the day. He had to go in for some tests. He said it was quite fun even if it wasn’t really a viable career option.

I know someone whose husband works for one of the government services. She doesn’t even know what agency or what he does, he goes away for months at a time and she has no idea where he goes.

She was once in a car crash and needed to let him know, the closest she got was calling some admin number and then they said they’d get a message to him but that was it. It sounds very cloak and dagger but in reality he’s probably involved in oil or something.

She finds it ok now but very hard at the start, she said it’s like being a military wife but you have no idea if he’ll even make it back. Also she has to feel very safe in herself, I think I’d be crapping myself thinking there were enemies hiding in my wardrobe (but I may have been watching too much Mission Impossible)

The thing that worries me really is that their salaries (from my very limited experience) don't seem competitive.
The 'meet in a field guy' for e.g. was a salesman for financial software, on a pretty hefty salary and expense account.
They seem to underpay really for the roles.
Or maybe that's just a ruse........

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

You have to drink in wine bars and leave your laptop on public transport.

Maybe it is a bit like being a Samaritan- you can't say you are one; you can't talk about it; you have to listen and say hhmm alot.

Skip the middle bit and just buy the Aston Martin.

Thing is I bet theres more field agents( is that what they call them) that look like completely non descript office guy than hunky spooks leading man. They're supposed to be completely forgettable are they not?

He can do the very initial asses ent online and they also indicate what vacancies might be available on there (from admin to cleaning and analysts and everything else)
No idea what background checks they do or how it all works.

That was one of the questions! 'How important is it to you to talk about your job' or something similar.

My brother got a couple of stages into the application but then "didn't get any further". He then started working some office job in London but travels a lot.

Hmmmm.

I know someone who was approached by them. He was a PhD student at the time and someone called by his office on the face of it to chat about his PhD. He said the idea of working in intelligence was brought up rather subtlely and in a very British way where both could dismiss it as a misunderstanding if anyone ever asked. He declined and never heard from this person again

One of them approached the now wife of someone my OH worked with. Sadly she is pretty dim and knows nothing about anything. She is has kids at private school and is trying to keep up with the wealthy mothers, so they had poor judgement

One of my friends from university, a ridiculously bright physics graduate, went to work for the government, doing something very secret. This was in the early 90s, at which time the existence of SIS & GCHQ still had not been officially acknowledged.

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.

Another question was how much do you need validation from family for your work achievements or something. The test in itself was revealing.
They're basically looking for someone who can keep their mouth shut.

I think the idea that you're approached by someone in a raincoat during your Finals is a bit old fashioned. I'm sure it does still go on, but I would imagine they'd look at people applying too.

A friend applied for a job in the Foreign Office after Uni and got the distinct impression during interview that they were sussing her out for the intelligence services as well. Also jobs at places like GCHQ are widely advertised.

DS would be very good at keeping his mouth shut. I get a grunt out of him now and then and that's it.

GCHQ do degree apprenticeships.
NCSC also offer free summer residentials under the "Cyber First" initiative.
Keep an eye out for the application window though.

Thanks - I'll tell him to do that. @Savingforarainyday

Get him a copy of the GCHQ code book for his Christmas stocking, OP.

Last March i was on the Virgin express from Manchester to Euston.
An unassuming man in a raincoat and Trilby came and sat opposite me.
I thought nothing of it and continued to enjoy my first class breakfast. He unfolded his copy of the Guardian and began to read.
After a short while, he raised his head and peered over the top of the paper glancing at me to catch my attention and said..." I see Lilia Orekhova is appearing in the nutcracker in Yakutsk. Would you like to read the review?" He then folded the paper,left it on the table, got up and walked away.
Slightly puzzled, i picked it up. Leafing through, i noticed a small ad in the situations vacant column for an SQL Database developer in Twickenham that had been circled with a pen.
My curiosity got the better of me and i rang the number...

I ended up in a similar related specialised intel field after applying for a v nondescript Home Office job. The selection process was v vague and weird - as in weirdly informal - but I ended up with a v secret job that necessitated the highest levels of security clearance. As you say though, pay was pretty poor and whilst it was interesting I felt like the ‘glamour’ wasn’t really worth it as I could never talk about it with anyone! I left to do something far more boring and I do miss it, but not the woeful salary!

Is there such a thing @Pineapple?

Haha Arnold. Continue your story. You have me in suspense.