MI5 - The Security Service : Employer profile

Company profile

MI5 safeguards the UK against threats to national security including terrorism, espionage, cyber attack and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. It investigates suspect individuals and organisations to collate and analyse secret intelligence relating to these threats.

Talented graduates from a range of backgrounds join MI5 for demanding, stimulating and rewarding careers. Many become Intelligence Officers; others join as Intelligence Analysts, in IT Security or Network Forensics roles and in the Language Unit.

Whatever your degree, it’s likely we have something that suits your skills and abilities. We need highly capable, persuasive and analytical graduates with outstanding communication skills and sound judgement. You’ll be a team player, able to establish rapport with a variety of people, recognise problems and suggest solutions in a collaborative working environment.

You’ll have the confidence and resilience to handle a high level of responsibility early in your career but rest assured that you will be supported by managers, peers and mentors. The culture at MI5 is professional, friendly and informal.

Honesty, integrity and a commitment to self-development are expected from all ourstaff. Strong organisation skills, decision making skills, attention to detail and patience are important. Owing to the sensitivity of our work, we do not publicly disclose the identities of our staff. Discretion is vital. If you decide to apply, you should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.

To become an Intelligence Officer, you will need to have or be expecting a 2.1 degree in any discipline. Intelligence Officers work in our legal, policy and resources departments, moving postings every few years to take on new challenges, gain different experience and expand their understanding of our work.

There are opportunities to work in the regional offices or Northern Ireland, as well as on investigations. You can expect to have at least one posting to a regional office and this could be your first posting.

Although we do not offer a bespoke graduate programme, we provide extensive training and development opportunities. You will be encouraged to shape your own career, expanding your skill set through our training academy, personal and professional courses and work experience in a range of our departments.

Training, development and a variety of job postings improves job satisfaction and promotion prospects. It makes you more deployable over the course of your career and exposes you to a broader spectrum of our work.

While no two days are the same, every day is challenging, fast-paced and varied. Depending on your specific role, you could be devising strategy to take investigations forward, investigating new leads, running checks on irregular data, liaising with foreign language translators or seeking authorisation to proceed with surveillance coverage.

You could also be briefing agent runners or mobile surveillance officers, sharing information with a range of internal teams or bringing police special branches up to speed on activities taking place in their area.

How to apply

All applications via our website. Information on the recruitment process and the skills, qualifications and experience required for our roles is included in our job advertisements on the website.

The Security Service values diversity and is committed to reflecting both equal opportunities and the society we protect. We particularly welcome applications from women and ethnic minorities.

Because we have access to sensitive information pertaining to national security, candidates are required to obtain Developed Vetting, the highest form of security clearance. Due to vetting requirements you must be over 18 years old to apply to work for MI5.

All applicants must be born or naturalised British citizens and normally have been resident in the UK for 9 out of the last 10 years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You will nonetheless be considered if you have, for example, served overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of Her Majesty's Government, studied abroad, or lived overseas with your parents.

The recruitment and vetting process may take around six to nine months. We advertise roles suitable for graduates several times a year so keep an eye on our website.