Career FAQs
We receive many emails and letters regarding employment and student programs. We have listed the most frequently asked questions and their answers. Please review them before submitting a question. For additional information about the Agency's mission and history, please visit our website at www.cia.gov
Students
Military
General
- Requirements
- Application
- Benefits
Students
I am a student considering a future career at the CIA. What courses should I take, or what major should I choose?
CIA employees represent a wide variety of disciplines from an even broader mix of academic backgrounds and experience. Therefore, we don't recommend one academic track over another in general.
The Agency's personnel requirements change from month to month as positions are filled and others become available. Our best advice to you is to do your very best and strive for good grades. Fluency in a foreign language is a good addition. Above all, understand that your choices and behaviors now are a reflection of your personal integrity, character and patriotism.
What student programs does the CIA offer?
The Central Intelligence Agency offers several programs
for students considering a career in the intelligence field. Each
program offers valuable educational and practical work experience
that enhances the student's chosen field of study and prepares
them for the future. These positions are extremely competitive
and students are given a salary and excellent benefits. Review
our programs and how to apply on our Student
Opportunities page.
Military
I am in the military. Can I transfer to the CIA to fulfill my obligation?
No. You must fulfill your obligation to the Armed Services. You should apply via the website as your final year of service begins if you are interested in seeking employment with the Agency. You should also know that the CIA is not a veteran preference agency.
General
Requirements
Do I need to be a United States citizen to work for the Central Intelligence Agency?
Yes, you must be a citizen of the United States when you apply to work for the Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA does not assist individuals in applying for US citizenship.
If I don't have a degree, will experience count?
Having an undergraduate degree is not mandatory, but is highly recommended. Life experiences are taken into consideration. However, a standard requirement for overseas officers, intelligence analysts, and other non-clerical positions is a college degree, preferably an advanced degree.
What is the minimum age for employment at the Agency?
You must be at least 18 years of age.
What if I used drugs or still use drugs; will this disqualify me from employment?
If you are a recent or frequent user of illegal drugs,
including marijuana, you need to know that CIA is a drug-free
workplace. Drug abuse is one of the common reasons applicants
are denied a security clearance. You cannot work for the CIA without
a security clearance. You can find more information on this subject
at Before You Apply on the How
to Apply page.
Is the CIA an Equal Opportunity Employer?
The Agency does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age,
or sexual orientation in hiring or in granting, denying, or revoking
security clearances.
I have a tattoo. Will that prohibit me from Agency employment?
Tattoos will not disqualify you from gaining employment
at the CIA, and all
professionally-qualified persons are encouraged to apply.
Application
How do I apply for a job at the CIA?
Carefully read the How to Apply page.
I submitted my resume over 45 days ago and haven't
heard anything. Am I
still being considered?
If you have not heard from us within 45 days, then
we do not currently have an
available position commensurate with your skills. We will retain
your resume in
our database for one year and will contact you should our hiring
requirements
change. We receive over 3,000 resumes a month from people desiring
to serve
their country by participating in our intelligence mission. We
regret that we
cannot hire all the fine candidates who wish to work for the CIA.
What is involved in the application
process? How long does it take?
Because of the classified nature of our work at the Central Intelligence Agency, the application process is a lengthy one. Depending on an applicant's specific circumstances, the process may take as little as two months or more than a year.
Applicants must undergo a thorough background investigation examining
their life history, character, trustworthiness, reliability and
soundness of judgment. Also examined is one's freedom from conflicting
allegiances, potential to be coerced and willingness and ability
to abide by regulations governing the use, handling and the protection
of sensitive information. The Agency uses the polygraph to check
the veracity of this information. The hiring process also entails
a thorough medical examination of one's mental and physical fitness
to perform essential job functions.
I submitted my resume online.
Should I follow up with a paper copy?
A paper copy (via fax or US mail) is not necessary
or advantageous after you have submitted your resume online. The
online submission process was specifically designed to provide
the applicant with quick entry into our active applicant database.
My education and/or work
experience has changed (significantly) since I
applied, should I apply again?
Yes, but only if the changes are significant (i.e.,
new college degree, additional
job experience, etc.)
I am a US citizen but I currently
work/live overseas. How can I apply?
Because of safety concerns for the prospective applicant,
as well as security and communication issues, the CIA Recruitment
Center does not accept resumes, nor can we return phone calls,
e-mails or other forms of communication, from US citizens living
outside of the US When you return permanently to the US (not
on vacation or leave), please visit the CIA
Careers page and apply online for the position
of interest.
Benefits
What are some of the benefits CIA offers employees?
The Central Intelligence Agency offers many benefits. Most are competitive with private industry. These include:
- Paid Time Off
- Federal Health and Life Insurance
- Retirement
- Education and Training
- Health Services
- Child Care Centers
- Credit Union
Read about Benefits in detail at Life at CIA.
