Designing Your Character & Other Handy Things 2

How to Become a Spy

The most important qualification to become a spy

The first thing is you must realise if you are going to become a  spy is that the things you see spies doing in films and on television or  read about in novels are not even slightly realistic. You will not kill  people. You will not drive fast cars. You will not seduce attractive  foreigners. You will not defuse bombs with only seconds to spare. For  many intelligence roles you probably won't even get a gun.

So, let's summarise the most important lesson about becoming a spy: there will be no guns, no fighting, no fast cars and no sexy foreign agents. Instead there will be lots of normal, boring hard work, like any job.

Becoming a Spy: Before you apply

Still here? Right, let's talk about how to become a spy, or as they're really called an intelligence officer.

Basic requirements to become a spy  
Don't get in trouble with the law.   Any criminal record is likely to end your application.  
Don't do drugs.   Drug tests are often given to applicants. Drug addiction is not tolerated.  
Go to university.   Most intelligence organisations expect their officers to have a good education. MI6, for example, requires a minimum of a upper-second class degree.  
Be ready to travel.   Most spies have to travel to foreign countries. There are roles without travel but you will limit your chances.   Be a citizen.   You must be a citizen of your country and so must the rest of your close family.

So those are the basic criteria. But getting a job in intelligence is  very competitive. The CIA alone receives more than 10,000 applications a  month. So you need to do more to stand out. Here's a few suggestions:

Becoming a Spy: Some things that might help    
Learn a foreign language     Preferably the language of your country's enemies. Even better, learn a relatively obscure language – you will have less competition.  
Do some sport.   Being fit won't do any harm, and it looks good on your CV.  
Don't tell your friends you're applying.   Spying is about being discrete. If you can't keep your friends unaware, then you're aren't going to make it.  
Show you can work long hours.   Get a job that demonstrates your discipline and commitment. Being a spy is not a 9-5 job. Often a case really is a matter of life and death and you won't be able to go home until it is resolved.  
Show leadership.  Military service might be an advantage here or some other leadership position.  
Don't hide anything.   If you dabbled with drugs once or have a minor conviction they will find out, and if you try to hide it they will think you're unreliable and untrustworthy.  
Keep out of debt.   Some debt is OK, but don't show any sign of financial irresponsibility, you could be vulnerable to pressure or bribery.

Process

The application process for an intelligence officer position is much  like that for any job, with rounds of interviews and tests. There is  though one big difference: extensive checks into your character,  reliability and judgement. Some intelligence organisations call this a  background check, others call it positive vetting, national security  vetting or developed vetting.

What is vetting?

Vetting builds a complete a picture of you to make sure you won't be a  security risk. This to make sure that nothing in your life will make  you vulnerable to bribery or blackmail. You will have to show and give  evidence of your:

Family background  Drug use and any other addictions (e.g. gambling)  Mental health  Finances  Political views  Travel to foreign countries

All the information you offer will be double checked and you'll need to show proof. For example, all the following documents:

Identity Documents  Marriage/partnership documents  References for employment, education and character  Bills  Bank, savings, loans and other credit details accounts

Referees

Referees are people who have known you well for a major part of your  life. Bear in mind that the intelligence agency will interview all of  your referees, and the interviews are in-depth and interrogative. Make  sure your referees know you well enough to answer the questions.

Don't give up the day job

Remember becoming an intelligence officer can take a long time. With  all the interviews and background checks it can take six months, a year,  or even two years to become a spy.

(Found on http://graemeshimmin.com/how-to-become-a-spy/)