INTELLIGENCE OFFICER RECRUITMENT PROCESS
The following timeline is only a rough guide to the length of the recruitment process. Some applications may proceed more quickly, others more slowly - especially when application levels are high.
Check Nationality and Security Criteria Unfortunately, no matter how good your application, we won't be able to accept it unless you meet these criteria - so do check.
Click through to apply online
Answer Suitability questions We'll check that you fulfil some of the basic criteria for the role - such as being a British citizen and being over 21 within the next six months.
Receive online test If you pass our basic criteria you will be sent and e-mail with an invitation to take an online cognitive test. The test does not require specific preparation, but if you have not done any cognitive tests before, it may be worth practising elsewhere, either online or in one of the study guide books available in most bookshops.
Return online test
Fill in and send online application Pay particular attention to the competency section. It's your chance to show us exactly how you've displayed the strengths and behaviours needed for this role, so fill it in thoroughly. Try to use varied examples, and pay attention to the suggested word counts. Spend some time thinking carefully about the examples you choose to use and make sure you provide evidence of the skills we are looking for. Thoroughly reading our website should help you to fill in the application form correctly.
Invite to Telephone Interview If you pass the online cognitive test and our application form sift, you will be invited to participate in a telephone interview.
First Interview First interviews are carried out on the telephone and are designed to test whether you have the skills and competencies we are looking for. You should also expect to be asked about global political developments.
Second Interview If you pass first interview you will be invited to a second, face-to face interview with an experienced operational officer. This is a chance to ask questions and find out about us, as well as vice versa. We will also ask you to sign the Official Secrets Act. It involves a day spent at our offices in London during which you will also be asked to complete some more cognitive tests and do a written exercise.
Assessment Centre The Intelligence Officer assessment centre is a two day, non-residential assessment centre. During the assessment centre, you will be put in a variety of hypothetical intelligence scenarios designed to test if you have the skills that we are looking for. It will also provide you with much more of a flavour of the work of an Operational Officer. We will also carry out a drugs test.
Security Clearance If you are successful at the assessment centre, you will move to the final stage of recruitment, which is security and medical clearance. We will also contact your referees. Security clearance is a well regulated process. It involves a series of background checks to see if there are any risks to you or the Service in offering you employment.
Clearance and satisfactory references received.
Formal offer of employment. Begin induction and training.
