How hard is it to land a job with a government agency such as the CIA or FBI?

[Hoober]

Positions in FBI field service, ie. a special agent, are some of the most competitive in the world. Academy classes are small and they take the best that they can find. It is extremely competitive. I don't know anything about the CIA or the NSA, but from what I hear, the NSA comes to you. They don't take applications.

 

[Vette73]

You can apply for a job at the NSA online, like most Gov agencies.

 

[pyonir]

don't apply before you graduate. 99% of government agencies won't even look at your app if they see you haven't graduated college yet.

 

[Shadowedge]

Here is some info about the NSA, since I just about have a job there:

You can apply there before you graduate, they take people right out of college. I would apply right away. I met with someone on my campus back in Novemeber, didn't hear back from them until April.
After they give you a conditional job offer, it can take up to 6 months for the background check, depending on your prior residences and everything.
Along with the background investigation, you go in for a psychological evaluation and polygraph.

The pay and benefits seem pretty competitive with industry (especially nowadays). Too bad you are going to miss the sweet recruitment bonus deadline

Just to let you know, you need to be a U.S. Citizen and pretty clean background (i.e. drugs, felonies, etc.)

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

A friend of mine from HS went into the Navy then to Special Ops. He's going to be home for a week, then virtually disappear when his service starts.
A friend of mine that I used to work with here went to a job fair and ended up leaving here to work for the FBI.

nik

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: Shadowedge
Here is some info about the NSA, since I just about have a job there:

You can apply there before you graduate, they take people right out of college. I would apply right away. I met with someone on my campus back in Novemeber, didn't hear back from them until April.
After they give you a conditional job offer, it can take up to 6 months for the background check, depending on your prior residences and everything.
Along with the background investigation, you go in for a psychological evaluation and polygraph.

The pay and benefits seem pretty competitive with industry (especially nowadays). Too bad you are going to miss the sweet recruitment bonus deadline

Just to let you know, you need to be a U.S. Citizen and pretty clean background (i.e. drugs, felonies, etc.)

Just what i want to hear. I think I will apply after I see what kind of positions they have to offer. Then again, from what i've heard, don't they want hardcore "geeks?" I mean the ones who can program and do just about everything with computers? I've been in the field for 4 years, but that's not to say I'm an expert.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: lilcam

Just what i want to hear. I think I will apply after I see what kind of positions they have to offer. Then again, from what i've heard, don't they want hardcore "geeks?" I mean the ones who can program and do just about everything with computers? I've been in the field for 4 years, but that's not to say I'm an expert.

So what is it you want to do for them?