MI6 (Secret Intelligence Service)

The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), colloquially known as MI6 is the United Kingdom's external intelligence agency, part of the country's intelligence community. Under the direction of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), it works alongside the MI5 (Security Service), GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) and the Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS).

Since 1995, the Secret Intelligence Service has had its headquarters at Vauxhall Cross on the South Bank of the Thames.

The SIS employs over 2,000 people.

Graduate Jobs

MI6, which has been operating for nearly 100 years, now states it recruits openly. like other employers, and that it no longer relies on recruiting top level Oxbridge candidates via recommendations from University tutors. However, it is likely that traditional Oxbridge recruiting does still take place.

The SIS is increasingly looking to recruit more women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds and people of various sexual preferences. About 36 per cent of 2008 recruits were women and just under 10 per cent were of ethnic minority origin. The SIS must recruit from various sectors of society because the organisation's charter states its employees must reflect the structure of the population of the UK.

Graduate jobs at the Secret Intelligence Service include:

• Operational Officers: Case Officers plan and carry out intelligence operations and run agents overseas. Reports Officers collate and disseminate foreign intelligence in Whitehall. You will need at least a 2:2 deree in any discipline to apply for this role.

• Language Specialists: Linguistics specialists translate intelligence documents and provide language training.

• Technology Experts: Technology experts create and run SIS global communications networks (often using bespoke technology) or ensure all SIS people from Operational Officers in the field to Administrators in London have the best equipment.

Opportunities are also now opening up for MI6 personnel to be given secondments to other areas of Whitehall, such as the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, which is run by MI5 (Security Service).

Application Requirements

The SIS do not look for specific degree subjects, although there are certain synergies between some degree subjects and some roles (languages and IT for example).

The SIS look for people with an enquiring mind, good judgement, an adaptable approach and a talent for collaborative working. You must be 21 (or 21 within the next six months) to apply.

Graduates of black or Asian minority origin are actively recruited by MI6, who must recruit employees from a range of ethnic backgrounds that reflects that of the overall make-up of the general population of the UK.

Interview Process

The interview process at the SIS consists of:

• Online application
• Online aptitude tests
• First stage interview
• Assessment centre

Headquarters

SIS headquarters, since 1995, is at 85, Vauxhall Cross, along the Albert Embankment in Vauxhall on the banks of the River Thames by Vauxhall Bridge, London.

The building design was reviewed to incorporate the necessary protection for Britain's foreign intelligence gathering agency. This includes overall increased security, extensive computer suites, technical areas, bomb blast protection, emergency back-up systems and protection against electronic eavesdropping.