How to Become a CIA Agent

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

Rate: (119 Ratings)

"Clandestine service operations officers" is how the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) refers to its agents - everyone else calls them spies. The jobs require a high level of intelligence, training, self-reliance and interpersonal skills.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

  • Internet Access
  • Envelopes
  • Computers
  • résumé paper
  • résumé software

Step1
Familiarize yourself with the CIA. Peruse the CIA Factbook Web page (cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook).
Step2
Obtain a bachelor's or master's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Suitable majors include international business or international relations, economics, physical science, and nuclear, biological or chemical engineering. Excellent writing skills are also necessary.
Step3
Be extremely fluent in at least one foreign language and have a strong knowledge of foreign affairs.
Step4
Send a cover letter stating your interest, your GPA and all your qualifications to Professional Trainee Program, P.O. Box 12002, Dept. INTERNET, Arlington, VA 22209-2002.
Step5
Take medical and psychological exams and a polygraph test if you are contacted. Your background will first have to be thoroughly checked, a process that can take six months.
Step6
Expect to live in Washington, D.C., for two years if you're accepted into the Professional Trainee (PT) Program. For one year you will work as an Operations Desk Officer, and the next year you will be a Collection Management Officer.
Step7
Maintain high work and personal standards to rise into the Clandestine Service Trainee (CST) Program, which is the first step to going overseas as an Operations Officer or Collection Management Officer.
Step8
Consider that after completing the CST program you can choose another track. You can spend another year being trained as a Staff Operations Officer (SOO), based in Washington, D.C. The SOOs provide important research and support to their colleagues overseas. Some foreign travel is also expected in this position, but SOOs spend much of their time in their home base.

Tips & Warnings

  • If you have qualifications such as military experience, extensive travel abroad or fluency in Middle-Eastern or Far-Eastern languages, you may be able to apply directly to the CST Program. Send your cover letter to CST Division, ATTN: 98-IC, P.O. Box 12002, Dept. INTERNET, Arlington, VA 22209-2002.
  • To apply to any CIA Clandestine Service Program, you must be a U.S. citizen under 35 years old. If you are married, your spouse must also be a U.S. citizen.
  • This is a potentially life-threatening career. Forget the cool, invincible heroes you see in the movies.

Comments

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on 7/5/2008 high level of intelligence, training, self-reliance and interpersonal skills.
Okay, so they're Cool.

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on 6/25/2008 I wouldnt want to work for these guys...
I would prefer to be a step or two above them.
Maybe just a crossing guard, or sherrifs department maintenance man.
Or maybe a Bookstore security guard.
Besides they are over-paid and I wouldnt want to waste any more of our tax dollars.
::Smilez from Houston!::
Joey Alizio Jr

kamer said

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on 3/28/2008 hi
I am 43 years ald,I am eng.of chemistry and food biotechnology.Kosovar(albanian).Maried 2 children.
I love Amerika as my self.I want to be a CIA-oficer.

dusica said

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on 1/18/2008 What if J`m not a US citizen?
Can J get a job in CIA?
Sent me a mail as soon as posible:marija090@yahoo.com
J really need to know!

dusica said

Flag This Comment

on 1/18/2008 What if J`m not a US citizen?
Can J get a job in CIA?

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