How to Become a CIA Agent in Alabama

The days of old school espionage with spies operating in dark shadows, wearing long coats and hats may be behind us, but the desire to steal secrets isn’t. Now, less developed countries try to steal industrial secrets of more modernized nations. Economic espionage, in other words, is the real worry for those organizations assigned with the task of protecting their nation’s secrets.

Featured Programs and Schools

Not too long ago, an FBI spokesman sent out an alert declaring Huntsville, Alabama, to be a major target for foreign spies working to obtain classified information. Huntsville, as it is commonly known, is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the US Army Aviation and Missile Command. To keep these national assets and others protected the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) works in tandem with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. If this is the kind of work you would like to do in your professional life then here is all you need to know on how to become a CIA agent in Alabama.

Become a CIA Agent In Alabama
How to Become a CIA Agent

Prerequisites to Filing an Application

No matter which position you apply for, there are certain prerequisites you will have to fulfill before being eligible to fill in an application.

  • All applicants must be US citizens and must be physically present in the US
  • All applicants must be willing to relocate to the Washington, DC metro area
  • Depending upon the position, all applicants must be educationally qualified
  • All applicants must be able to pass a polygraph interview
  • All applicants must be able to pass a comprehensive background investigation
  • All applicants must be able to pass a thorough medical and psychological exam
  • Applicants must not have used illegal drugs within the last 12 months prior to filing of an application

The above mentioned are universal prerequisites for all the jobs available with the CIA. However, fulfilling these alone will not guarantee that you will be hired by the agency. It simply means that you can move on to the next step, which is actually filling in an application.

CIA Application Package

Irrespective of the position you apply for, the CIA’s application package consist of three parts:

  1. Application for Employment
  2. Personnel Evaluation Form
  3. Equal Employment Opportunity (Optional)

How to Get Started?

  • Visit the CIA’s official website à From “Careers & Internships” click on “Application Process” àthen click on “Application Instructions”. Read this section in detail
  • Once you are ready, click on “Apply Now”
  • Create an account
  • Receive a user ID
  • Create a password for this account
  • Save your user ID and password
  • Add up to four (04) positions in your account
  • Fill the Application for Employment section
  • Fill out the Personnel Evaluation Form
  • Fill out the voluntary section of the application, if you want

You Need to Know…

You have three (03) days to complete your application. Your time starts from the moment you make an account. After three days, your account will be automatically deleted irrespective of whether you have applied or not. Therefore, before making an account, make sure you know which positions you are applying for.

How Long Does It Take to Process the Application?

The application process is lengthy and can take a year or more to process. But if the CIA recruiters are interested in your application, they will contact you within 45 days of filing of your application. If you haven’t heard from them in 45 days, it is likely that your application has been rejected in which case you can apply again after one-year.

Cracking the CIA Application Process

The trick is in knowing what will be on the application, so that you can fill in the application and submit it within three days’ time.

What to Expect on Application for Employment Section?

This section will ask the following information:

  • Education
  • Work history
  • Foreign language proficiency levels
  • Foreign area knowledge
  • Military experience
  • Basic background information
  • Areas of expertise
  • Certifications and licenses
  • Preferences
  • Writing samples and transcripts

What to Expect on Personnel Evaluation Form?

This section will ask for information on the following:

  • Delinquent federal debt
  • Criminal convictions and violations of law
  • Military discharge and disciplinary proceedings
  • Selective Service enrollment
  • Security clearance
  • Polygraph test
  • Peace Corps employment
  • Employment issues
  • Drug use and activity
  • Background investigation

What to Expect on Equal Employment Opportunity section?

This section is voluntary and therefore even if you do not answer questions in this section, your application will not get affected.

How to ace the CIA Application Process?

It’s rather simple – be honest and complete all the mandatory sections in detail. By being honest, you build a trust relationship with your future employer, which goes a long way in enhancing your employment prospects.

Other States