How do I get a job with C.I.A. or FBI if I have no military or college exp.?

I am really interested in working for the United states government. However I don't have any experience, Higher education or military exp. under my belt. And it seems that's what you need. Don't they have any hire by trial events. I have been interested in this stuff since I was a kid. I haven't had the best upbringing So I didn't know those kind of opportunities were out there. I love my country and Would like to work for it.

Join the military and ask for the job of military police. That is where many of the CIA/FBI types are hired from. You can also use the military to get that education paid for that you need.

BTW, joining the military IS "working for the United States Government" and IS working to protect and preserve the country. It's a no-brainer.

The only thing that worries me about that, is that for the length of your term ( what ever it may be) you are there no matter what. I did talk to A Marine Recruiter about a year ago. I scored pretty high on the ASVAB test, They told me to open the book and pick any job I wanted because I was qualified for all of them. I picked Intel, thinking that was my best bet at getting into the C.I.A. then computers and then, small arms repair. The head recruiter then told me that all three of those are hard to get into and tried to get me to join for some Admin. job, and blow me off. Call me crazy but if I am going to sign 4 years of my life to some one, and they are not willing to actually try to get me a job that really interests me and I am highly qualified for then that's not for me. It's just a personal choice. So other than doing that is there any other way.

gonz in Twinsburg, Ohio said: I am really interested in working for the United states government. However I don't have any experience, Higher education or military exp. under my belt. And it seems that's what you need. Don't they have any hire by trial events. I have been interested in this stuff since I was a kid. I haven't had the best upbringing So I didn't know those kind of opportunities were out there. I love my country and Would like to work for it.

You might want to consider a 4 year degree or higher. Some of my college friends were approached and recruited about a year before they obtain their degrees and some of them join a few months after graduation.

gonz in Twinsburg, Ohio said: So other than doing that is there any other way.

The only other way would be to join the local police force but they also require a degree. Basically jobs in law enforcement are just that - jobs in law enforcement. The FBI and the CIA are just jobs in law enforcement but at a much higher level.

When you join the police force for example, you don't get to be a homicide detective right off the bat because that is a much higher position than a rookie cop.

I noticed in your profile you have an interest in acting. Please do not think that undercover work is just an acting job. That part is about 2 percent of the job. The other 98 percent is being a good cop like any other (According to a police officer friend of mine).

Your best bet is to just go to the FBI or the CIA website and read what the requirements are.

Oh god no I understand that's not the whole deal (acting) I meant that I would like to do undercover work, that's all. I didn't mean to offend anyone about the military or police work. I was just curious and I am kind of frustrated to be honest. It seems that most places need a four year degree or some crazy amount of experience. I have met some people that have a four year degree and I can't understand for the life of me how they got a job. Now I know that's not including everybody of the billions of people on this planet. However I find it hard to believe that the only way you are worth hiring is if you have a four year degree or higher. What happened before people could get four year degrees? I am sure that not everyone that has been in a government agency has not had a four year degree. Not many but some at least. I'm just looking for suggestions or just straight up opinions. I am not trying to offend anyone or come off as a whiner.

I was only saying that many people are intrigued by the acting aspect of undercover work just as many people are attracted to the CIA because of the intrigue of acting the part of the "enemy" agent.

If that's not you then good. :)

As for the value of a degree That is a debatable subject. Many people who have these degrees will say it was a waste of time and money in many cases. The problem is that many employers feel the opposite and figure if you didn't get "the suffer ticket" as it were, then you are hopeless.

Certainly people gain experience in life and in certain jobs where they actually can rise above any degree issued by a University. That is one of the reasons certain people are given honorary degrees.

Check this out:

www.cia.gov/careers/faq/index.html

I appreciate the link. What is it that you do? if you don't mind me asking.

gonz in Twinsburg, Ohio said: I appreciate the link. What is it that you do? if you don't mind me asking.

Well if I told you I'd then have to kill you. :)

Seriously, part of what I do I am not at liberty to discuss.

U.S. Government?.....Anyway it seems that they prefer the 4 year or higher degree and or language training, and or military exp. Although when I was fishing around the link that you pointed me to I found in the FAQ that in some cases a four year or higher degree is not required. However I couldn't find what cases. Any Idea?

gonz in Twinsburg, Ohio said: ...when I was fishing around the link that you pointed me to I found in the FAQ that in some cases a four year or higher degree is not required. However I couldn't find what cases. Any Idea?

Well the CIA is like any other organization. They have support functions that range from a person who crates up all that spy stuff for shipment overseas and operates a forklift to the Local Couriers who just run documents and such around Washington DC.

Neither of those two occupations require a degree but because you would be an employee of the CIA, you have to go through the same background checks and you can't tell people who you work for the same as an intelligence analyst is prohibited from doing so.

Many people think all that only happens in the movies but not so. Those folks are very touchy about who they hire and they don't want you making friends with the wrong sort who might just want to know how to get into the building, etc.

We once had to repair computers at CIA and when one of their machines went down, it might be a whole day before we could actually show up there. They had to first go through the room and shred all the trash papers or lock them up, get all the workers out of there, and run the hard drives and memory through a data scrubbing operation before we could set foot in the door.

They did not want us to even be able to recognize anyone by face who actually worked on the machines. But that was when one computer would run the operation of a whole section. I imagine they have hot spares now and just ship the defective ones to the repair people off site.

But again, somebody there must have IT experience and no degree???

your post is kind of confusing you said that once you were sent there to repair the machines, but then you said they didn't want you to recognize who worked on/repaired the machines by face. how could that be?

gonz in Twinsburg, Ohio said: your post is kind of confusing you said that once you were sent there to repair the machines, but then you said they didn't want you to recognize who worked on/repaired the machines by face. how could that be?

I think "Call me Charlie" means that he/she was called to do the repair but they don't want him/her or his/her staffs to know the employees who work on the computer to be known by face by him/her or his/her staffs. In a sense, "Call me Charlie" and his/her staffs, if any, acted as outside contractors to fix the machines.

gonz in Twinsburg, Ohio said: your post is kind of confusing you said that once you were sent there to repair the machines, but then you said they didn't want you to recognize who worked on/repaired the machines by face. how could that be?

I meant the people who operated the machines. If a person who was not a CIA employee saw an operator on the street, he/she might be tempted to say, "Oh hi! I remember you from that day I repaired the CIA computers. How are ya?" That might be overheard by someone who was interested in getting into the CIA building at all costs and could put the operator in danger. This stuff happens. or at least it did back in the early 70's. The CIA website stills cautions employees to not divulge to this day.

For example, here is a link to a job at the CIA. Read the "Important Notice" near the bottom. In essence, the CIA would not even like you to be here on a public form discussing your interest in working for them if you want to get right down to it.

Realistic in Houston, Texas said: I think "Call me Charlie" means that he/she was called to do the repair but they don't want him/her or his/her staffs to know the employees who work on the computer to be known by face by him/her or his/her staffs. In a sense, "Call me Charlie" and his/her staffs, if any, acted as outside contractors to fix the machines.

You are absolutely correct and just so you don't have to type all the politically correct pronouns, I am a "he him his." :)

Call me Charlie in Louisville, Kentucky said: I meant the people who operated the machines. If a person who was not a CIA employee saw an operator on the street, he/she might be tempted to say, "Oh hi! I remember you from that day I repaired the CIA computers. How are ya?" That might be overheard by someone who was interested in getting into the CIA building at all costs and could put the operator in danger. This stuff happens. or at least it did back in the early 70's. The CIA website stills cautions employees to not divulge to this day.

For example, here is a link to a job at the CIA. Read the "Important Notice" near the bottom. In essence, the CIA would not even like you to be here on a public form discussing your interest in working for them if you want to get right down to it.

I forgot to put the link in didn't I....

www.cia.gov/careers/jobs/support-services/local-courier.html

Interesting. You see, they are so secretive it won't even lets us link there from here. Sorry, guys.

I guess it's just wishful thinking.... That they would just come and recruit me or something like that... oh well It's can't always be like the movies.... just kidding.

Well don't give up, but here is that important message they had for the job of Local Courier:

"Important Notice: Friends, family, individuals, or organizations may be interested to learn that you are an applicant for or an employee of the CIA. Their interest, however, may not be benign or in your best interest. You cannot control whom they would tell. We therefore ask you to exercise discretion and good judgment in disclosing your interest in a position with the Agency. You will receive further guidance on this topic as you proceed through your CIA employment processing."

I think the CIA advertises some of its opennings in the Wall Street Journal (or other well known business journals). Those advertisements don't occur often but I remembered seeing it at least once. The job description was for obvious reasons very vague and the qualifications are very high (such as college education in certain fields, maybe foreign language skills, military, ...) When you see those advertisements, you should apply to express interests. Maybe that will lead to something more down the road. Good luck.

Well thankyou fellas. If you hear or find out anything more I would be greatful.

Just came across this post. It's very entertaining and fairly incorrect on most categories.

Here's a short on the answer you're looking for. You want a job with any Government agency you just need to apply. Read the job descriptions and if you don't think you fit it then most likely you won't get hired. The government values higher education especially in GS-13 and above positions. They also value prior service and often Veteran status will make you eligible for positions that the general public is not.

Do what you find interesting but I suggest you start either at a University or in the Military. As for all the secrecy that Charlie is blabbing about he's not even really close to being correct. I think he's seen too many movies. In general it's basically good operational security not to disclose where or for which agency you work for. However most people tell their spouses, kids and immediate family. You don't however sit at a ballgame and break out your CIA identification when someone asks for your ID.

In short you approach it as any other position and progress from there. Good luck on your search.

A college degree (2 years, 4 years, or more) shows that you have the ability to finish what you started. (Not instant gratification.) The degree isn't always about your intelligence level or common sense, just that you started something long term and finished it. Take some courses at your local community college. Tell them your in the process of pursuing your degree. It might help you get in the door.
Good luck.

Interesting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma said: As for all the secrecy that Charlie is blabbing about he's not even really close to being correct.

The so called "blabbing" about secrecy was copied directly from the CIA website. I suggest you go there yourself and read what they have to say.

I have held a Secret Security clearance for the US government and I do know what I am talking about. Have you ever had a clearance yourself, Sir?

Wow, I just stumbled upon this posting and just had to offer my 2 cents worth! First off, why the <Edited by host: Inappropriate Language Removed> would you want to do this kind of <Edited by host: Inappropriate Language Removed> in the first place? Let me tell you something, with all due respect, be careful what you wish for; as there was a time in the agency where doe eyed fanciful individuals such as yourself would gladly have been "recruited" but not for the glamorous <Edited by host: Inappropriate Language Removed> your thinking. No, because you are in fact lacking any kind of mil or/and have no higher substantial education to qualify as an analyst, the procedure would have/is presently to qualify you as an "asset" (Trust me, the word itself makes it sound better then it is!) and this would in fact consist of a basic background/security sweep, as well as battery tests for basic motor, speech and reading skills. They would also consider your living arrangements, are you married; what kind of work you presently do and then the next step would be about 4 or more months of rather basic classes dealing with aspects of interpersonal skills, simulated interactions with different personality types, and on their side, testing your reactions in these simulated exercises (Do you lose your temper, do you have facial ticks, is something just not right about you, etc,etc) Then if you pass all this <Edited by host: Inappropriate Language Removed> , you qualify as an "intern" with reduced pay grade at a "location". The location is much less of a real time op as it is rather further testing of you, and seeing if you are able and willing to make morally/ethically difficult decisions under stress. (Simulated stress, but you don't know that at the time.) One thing about these guys is that you better <Edited by host: Inappropriate Language Removed> be loyal, and that's what it all basically boils down to. Still want to do this crap? OK. So lets say you pass everything somehow what the hell happens next? Sometimes nothing, and

you will do "sit-in", (Has nothing to do with the 60's term!) that is to say you would be sent somewhere either Domestically or possibly but not likely internationally for yet more training at a "post". This is one on one with an experienced field op who sometimes does not even work for the agency but is himself/herself an "outside" participant themselves. Kind of like you would be at this point if you make it this far. The ONLY reason you are of any fu%king use to the Service is because you ARE not super educated nor having a lot of bells and whistles, yet you are easily expendable because field ASSETS do not have to be greatly educated nor all that intelligent- they just have to be able to have basic skills of observation, and fair people skills. You are almost like an informant type of player, the line of accountability ends at you, because you really don't represent the Agency in the first place. But the sad truth is that this kind of recruitment within the Agency is no longer pro active in the sense that you can just go down to your local CIA office and just say you want to do this. Actually most recruitment efforts are focused on locals that inhabit "Flash-point" locales- such as Taiwan, Venezuela, or somewhere in the Middle East. Its just easier! What I'm telling you is old school pre 1989 (Cold War) about you being able to contact someone and being enlisted. I do agree that entry into the mil is a good first step for this course of action you want to pursue, but to quote a famous movie line, "This is grown men business!" Nevertheless, if you persist in this, be careful, somebody could decide to USE you as an agent after all! Watch out!

I was wondering the same thing, I googled "How to get a job in the CIA" and eventually found this awesome list that gives you the steps to take in order to get CIA employment hope this helps www.squidoo.com/CIA-employment

Do you have to have all that experience to be an FBI agent or to be in the CIA? My dream is to be a great police officer or anything in that field but I want to bust people with drugs and where I live drugs and dealers are everywhere and I hate them being around. I can Help bust them cause I know where they live and what they sale but the police wont hire me cause I'm not 21 yet. but I would like to help