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See Also
See Again
© NL Beeld
0 / 30 Fotos
Reality check - While movies might give you a glimpse of the job, you most likely won't spend your days killing people, driving fast cars, and drinking martinis.
© NL Beeld
1 / 30 Fotos
Background check
-
© iStock
2 / 30 Fotos
Vetting process
-
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Interviews - In addition to written and psychological assessments, you will also be subject to a thorough interview process, including a polygraph examination.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Citizenship
-
© iStock
5 / 30 Fotos
Education - Although not a deal-breaker for some agencies, a Bachelor's degree might work in your favor during the application process. Higher education is expected in some intelligence agencies.
© iStock
6 / 30 Fotos
Political views - Are you a passionate socialist or a firm believer in right-wing politics? This may or may not work in your favor, depending on your country. But your political views and ideologies will be taken into consideration during the vetting process.
© iStock
7 / 30 Fotos
Be fit - You're expected to have a reasonable level of fitness to become a spy. Remember, you might have to literally run for your life at some point!
© iStock
8 / 30 Fotos
Criminal record - You should not have a criminal record. Although if you have something minimal from a long time ago, it might not be the end of your application.
© iStock
9 / 30 Fotos
Drug tests - Be prepared to be drug tested. Needless to say, if you test positive for drugs, it will be the end of your application process.
© iStock
10 / 30 Fotos
People skills - You must have strong interpersonal skills. You must be able to easily interact with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and values.
© iStock
11 / 30 Fotos
Influence - Persuasion skills and a commitment to diplomacy are also key if you dream of becoming a spy.
© iStock
12 / 30 Fotos
Psychology - Former CIA operative J.C. Carleson told themuse that CIA techniques boil down to basic human psychology and an understanding of what motivates people.
© iStock
13 / 30 Fotos
Be a leader
- Leadership can help you land a job as spy. Also, if you have a military background, it might work in your advantage.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Demonstrate commitment and discipline - Ideally your résumé will show that you are a committed person, able to work for long hours and adapt to change easily. If you're looking for a 9 to 5, this is not the job for you.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Intelligence - Decision making, logical thinking, and a strong memory are key if you're looking to pursue a career in the intelligence services.
© iStock
16 / 30 Fotos
Resilience - You must have an outstanding capacity to endure mental stress and still be able to perform to the best of your ability. Think sleep deprivation, working long hours, and being ready for hostile situations.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Second language - This is a very useful skill to have if you want to enter the world of espionage. If you happen to speak a foreign language that is spoken by your country's "enemies," that's a big plus in your application process.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
International affairs - It will be helpful if you can demonstrate an interest in international affairs. As a spy, you must be on top of what's going on around the world and how it affects your country.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Financially responsible
-
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Mental health
-
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Travel - You will most likely travel to other countries. It's just part of the job. In fact, if you have experience in travelling and living abroad, that might be helpful when applying for a job as a spy.
© iStock
22 / 30 Fotos
Surveillance - Good observation skills are a must. It is not unusual for spies to spend very long hours observing their subjects. Plus, they have to do so undetected.
© iStock
23 / 30 Fotos
Hide in plain sight
-
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Keep it low key - Not posting on social media that you're applying to become a spy seems like common sense. But don't tell your friends or family either. It's good practice to keep things secret if you actually want to become a secret agent.
© iStock
25 / 30 Fotos
Training - Former MI6 agent Matthew Dunn told CNN about an exercise where recruits would have to meet a supposedly drunk KGB agent. The twist was that they had to drink vodka with the agent and still manage to memorize all information.
© iStock
26 / 30 Fotos
No claim to fame
-
© iStock
27 / 30 Fotos
Recruitment - While many intelligence agencies have open applications, some countries still choose to actively recruit their own spies.
© iStock
28 / 30 Fotos
How long does it take to actually start working?
-
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
© NL Beeld
0 / 30 Fotos
Reality check - While movies might give you a glimpse of the job, you most likely won't spend your days killing people, driving fast cars, and drinking martinis.
© NL Beeld
1 / 30 Fotos
Background check
-
© iStock
2 / 30 Fotos
Vetting process
-
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Interviews - In addition to written and psychological assessments, you will also be subject to a thorough interview process, including a polygraph examination.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Citizenship
-
© iStock
5 / 30 Fotos
Education - Although not a deal-breaker for some agencies, a Bachelor's degree might work in your favor during the application process. Higher education is expected in some intelligence agencies.
© iStock
6 / 30 Fotos
Political views - Are you a passionate socialist or a firm believer in right-wing politics? This may or may not work in your favor, depending on your country. But your political views and ideologies will be taken into consideration during the vetting process.
© iStock
7 / 30 Fotos
Be fit - You're expected to have a reasonable level of fitness to become a spy. Remember, you might have to literally run for your life at some point!
© iStock
8 / 30 Fotos
Criminal record - You should not have a criminal record. Although if you have something minimal from a long time ago, it might not be the end of your application.
© iStock
9 / 30 Fotos
Drug tests - Be prepared to be drug tested. Needless to say, if you test positive for drugs, it will be the end of your application process.
© iStock
10 / 30 Fotos
People skills - You must have strong interpersonal skills. You must be able to easily interact with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and values.
© iStock
11 / 30 Fotos
Influence - Persuasion skills and a commitment to diplomacy are also key if you dream of becoming a spy.
© iStock
12 / 30 Fotos
Psychology - Former CIA operative J.C. Carleson told themuse that CIA techniques boil down to basic human psychology and an understanding of what motivates people.
© iStock
13 / 30 Fotos
Be a leader
- Leadership can help you land a job as spy. Also, if you have a military background, it might work in your advantage.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Demonstrate commitment and discipline - Ideally your résumé will show that you are a committed person, able to work for long hours and adapt to change easily. If you're looking for a 9 to 5, this is not the job for you.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Intelligence - Decision making, logical thinking, and a strong memory are key if you're looking to pursue a career in the intelligence services.
© iStock
16 / 30 Fotos
Resilience - You must have an outstanding capacity to endure mental stress and still be able to perform to the best of your ability. Think sleep deprivation, working long hours, and being ready for hostile situations.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Second language - This is a very useful skill to have if you want to enter the world of espionage. If you happen to speak a foreign language that is spoken by your country's "enemies," that's a big plus in your application process.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
International affairs - It will be helpful if you can demonstrate an interest in international affairs. As a spy, you must be on top of what's going on around the world and how it affects your country.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Financially responsible
-
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Mental health
-
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Travel - You will most likely travel to other countries. It's just part of the job. In fact, if you have experience in travelling and living abroad, that might be helpful when applying for a job as a spy.
© iStock
22 / 30 Fotos
Surveillance - Good observation skills are a must. It is not unusual for spies to spend very long hours observing their subjects. Plus, they have to do so undetected.
© iStock
23 / 30 Fotos
Hide in plain sight
-
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Keep it low key - Not posting on social media that you're applying to become a spy seems like common sense. But don't tell your friends or family either. It's good practice to keep things secret if you actually want to become a secret agent.
© iStock
25 / 30 Fotos
Training - Former MI6 agent Matthew Dunn told CNN about an exercise where recruits would have to meet a supposedly drunk KGB agent. The twist was that they had to drink vodka with the agent and still manage to memorize all information.
© iStock
26 / 30 Fotos
No claim to fame
-
© iStock
27 / 30 Fotos
Recruitment - While many intelligence agencies have open applications, some countries still choose to actively recruit their own spies.
© iStock
28 / 30 Fotos
How long does it take to actually start working?
-
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
Do you have what it takes to become a spy?
Find out how you can become a secret agent
© NL Beeld
Have you ever watched a James Bond movie and wondered what it would be like to work as a spy? A career as a secret agent might not be for everyone, but how do you know if you are the right candidate for the job? Click through the gallery and find out if you have what it takes to become a spy.
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