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 applied for a role in this field, completed assessments, telephone interviews, and went to an assessment centre. They do the ‘highest, possible background check and as far as I’m aware included financial background - I think this included family members too, maybe to see if you/family are more inclined to be bribed for intel or be coerced in some other way

There was one episode of Criminal Minds which I found fictional until I learned that they have an Ex FBI agent helping the writers.
It was where they were at CIA headquarters and they could zoom into houses by heat radar and see where people were. They found Morgan's dog on the couch lol.
I wonder do our British equivalents have similar powers? In which case - waves!!!

I'm guessing it's just similar jobs to the private sector, except you're dealing with highly confidential info, so can't announce a promotion or such. Lies may need to exist. I think it's a job for the young really.

Going to try to nail ds on why MI5 particularly. I suspect it's the lure of secrets.

@DoTheHop your DS sounds like my DS. He's taking part at the moment in a school cyber security challenge which the kids are convinced is Mi6 or 5 trying to pinpoint future spies.

www.cybersecuritychallenge.org.uk/what-we-do/schools-programme

Lol Pineapple, that does look like spies trying to be PC alright.

It’s a civil service job like any other, it doesn’t pay well though!

Working in admin there is pretty much like being an administrator at any office. It’s not exciting or interesting and you are looked down on.

Developed Vetting can take 6 months. You will fill in a form on your close relatives, finances etc and then undergo a 3 hour long interview with a vetting officer covering your personal history, drug use, relationships etc.

And there are some seriously weird people there! It’s very cliquey, if your face doesn’t fit you might as well leave.

And of course they do background checks on your and your close family. They also interview references face to face - employer, close friends etc.

You apply online on their website like any other job.

So what if you've a dodgy drug-dealing father? Or a father who you've never met? They can't find him surely?

I haven't applied for a job there but they did do my vetting for my job at No 10. I was advised that either my phone was tapped or I was followed, to make sure I was genuine, but I would never know which or when.

Does anyone else remember the GCHQ pavement messages?

www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34941261/spy-agency-gchq-facing-fines-for-hipster-job-adverts-on-london-streets

Before I did the job i do now (healthcare) I applied for another government agency not MI5/6.
I was invited for a second interview and was told the city centre it would be in and that was it that they would update me in good time.
I then recieved a phone call the morning of the interview and was told to meet the panel at a hotel in a hotel room.

I wasn't successful at that stage and I still wish I could try again one day.

If he wants computer back end techy stuff definitely check out gchq and the application process.

I got to a penultimate stage to be an intelligence officer at MI5, applying through their grad scheme. Fascinating process and very very thorough, at that stage they wanted a lot of info on your family and very detailed financial declarations. Looking back I got so far on a few boxes I ticked: female, northern, young, crap university. I would have been hugely out of my depth!

(Should probably add that I also signed the official secrets act at the time so shouldn’t really have revealed any of that 😅)

Most people who work there aren’t at all posh Home Counties sorts like you might expect. A lot of employees commute in from Essex way.

For the proper secret squirrel stuff they use grad schemes. They want young bright kids without a history. For sensitive roles they use specialist recruiters to poach people from related fields. So not so much a tap on the should but more a call from a recruiter who won't give much away about the potential employer. Cleaners, admin etc all advertised openly.

I know people who were recruited after completing the GCHQ application process. They take applications, then aptitude tests, then an interview. If they think you're suited to a particular field with no current vacancies, they may tell you to reapply at a later date.

They advertise on civil service jobs

They also approach people individually.

First rule of applying to MI5/6 - don’t take about applying for MI5/6.

They advertise. Or you can do the civil service fast track and choose them as your first option.

An acquaintance at uni got some way through the process. At one interview they produced photos of him playing golf paparazzi style and asked about everyone he was seen with.

Pipstelle - the grad schemes are advertised on the recruitment website.

Staff like cleaners are contractors like across government departments. Cleaners/caterers etc are no longer employed directly by any civil service department.

www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/jobs-application

@Arnoldthecat don’t leave it there...

I find some of the statements here very difficult to believe and much is embellished.

Photos playing miniature golf at interviews? Being followed? Phones tapped? Nope.

I do know someone who works there. Started in border forces in an office job. Internal
Application to FCO and then again from there
I knew he’d mentioned the job to me in passing and then I had to provide my driving licence details and passport and all previous names for a background check