When thinking of an “intelligence analyst,” most people’s minds go to well-known government organizations like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). But the career possibilities for intelligence analysts are far more diverse. The intelligence community’s overarching goal is to gather, analyze and deliver foreign intelligence and counterintelligence information to U.S. leaders. The career field thus spans numerous government branches — including the president and policy-makers — as well as the military, law enforcement and public and private companies.
A career at a national intelligence agency is not a quick-hire position — it requires intense dedication and educational experience, as well as the completion of a lengthy government hiring process. In a pool of competitive applicants, certain traits, skills and experiences will help you stand out to hiring officers. You can highlight these characteristics during the application process to land your dream job in intelligence.
The intelligence community is composed of several government organizations and other public and private agencies. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Security Agency (NSA), CIA, FBI and various government and military departments are among the 17 member agencies that make up the intelligence community.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) organizes and coordinates the efforts of the other 16 agencies. From education and business to computer science and security, there are diverse career fields within the intelligence community that require different skill sets. Some skills are universally important across all intelligence careers, while others may be specific to a position.
The journey toward getting a job in intelligence is both demanding and rewarding. The application process varies between different intelligence agencies, but several steps are required:
From attorneys to physicists to criminal investigators, the intelligence community depends on a varied and highly qualified workforce. You will share many values and experiences with your coworkers in the intelligence community. The Constitution and various laws and regulations govern all national intelligence activities.
Of particular relevance is Executive Order 12333, United States Intelligence Activities, which defines the roles, responsibilities and strategic goals of the intelligence community. Executive Order 12333 establishes general principles regarding intelligence collection and was most recently amended in 2008.
The intelligence community also shares core values between all departments, as formally issued by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in 2014 in a document regarding the principles for professional ethics. Regardless of individual position or agency affiliation, these principles — Mission, Truth, Lawfulness, Integrity, Stewardship, Excellence and Diversity — are the standards all intelligence employees must uphold. They reflect the tremendous responsibilities the intelligence community collectively bears.
Intelligence analysts are responsible for evaluating information and data to identify and mitigate threats to national security. Hiring managers will be looking for candidates with certain traits, experiences and skills:
In general, you will need to demonstrate strong character, extensive, relevant educational experience and a range of skills. These skills include problem-solving, research and writing, communication, decision-making and the ability to work under pressure. In some cases, as with FBI intelligence analysts, having specialized knowledge of the languages, cultures and histories of certain geographic regions is also a valuable skill.
The intelligence community includes a diverse set of departments and agencies, and there is no one path to starting an intelligence career. It may be best to think of intelligence as an accession career, meaning most people enter the field from another profession. The military, law enforcement, the information technology industry and colleges and universities are a few major sources of prospective candidates.
But you don’t need to come from one of these paths to get into the intelligence community. No matter your career history, you must first receive clearance based on factors like security risk, moral character, personal conduct and medical fitness before even starting the rigorous application process. From there, you should emphasize certain personal characteristics, educational experiences and hard and soft skills to be a competitive candidate in the eyes of hiring officers.
If you’re thinking of pursuing a career in the intelligence field, be prepared for an involved application process. You will need to demonstrate moral and medical fitness, expertise in your current field and a range of critical skills to succeed as an intelligence analyst. CareerProPlus is the recognized industry expert for resume writing and career coaching, and we have over two decades of experience serving military, corporate and federal clients. To get started on your intelligence career, contact us at CareerProPlus today.
