Jobs with MOD/GCHQ etc.
Discussion
In any application to GCHQ/MOD/SIS/MI5/MI6 it explicitly states do not tell anyone about your application apart from spouse or significant other. Even then they MUST be British and you must tell them to be discreet with the knowledge.
It also says you are forbidden from posting about it on social media or to discuss with anyone else.
GCHQ massively promote from within and work towards 5 year leadership schemes developing you to become a senior leader within the organisation so most will start at the very bottom.
If you're looking to get in via consultancy (if you're setting up your own) you can expect the restrictions to be even tighter with even deeper background checks for a new supplier. Not sure how it would work joining one already working with them but you'd probably have to pass vetting before working for them due to sensitive material.
Also, the data GCHQ are dealing with isn't financial, it's usually other data related things.
A friend of mines business works with them on certain projects and the security is so tight that a whole floor of his building is high security and nobody without the proper clearance can go in. The staff are also all segregated. It sounds funny but he wanted me to go into a section of the room to do something for him the plan was I had to wait until the floor was clear, wear a blind fold and be escorted to my work area to make sure I didn't see anything. In the end whoever was in charge said no and I wasn't allowed in at all, even though it was his own company and his own building and his own staff! Gov said no way.
It also says you are forbidden from posting about it on social media or to discuss with anyone else.
GCHQ massively promote from within and work towards 5 year leadership schemes developing you to become a senior leader within the organisation so most will start at the very bottom.
If you're looking to get in via consultancy (if you're setting up your own) you can expect the restrictions to be even tighter with even deeper background checks for a new supplier. Not sure how it would work joining one already working with them but you'd probably have to pass vetting before working for them due to sensitive material.
Also, the data GCHQ are dealing with isn't financial, it's usually other data related things.
A friend of mines business works with them on certain projects and the security is so tight that a whole floor of his building is high security and nobody without the proper clearance can go in. The staff are also all segregated. It sounds funny but he wanted me to go into a section of the room to do something for him the plan was I had to wait until the floor was clear, wear a blind fold and be escorted to my work area to make sure I didn't see anything. In the end whoever was in charge said no and I wasn't allowed in at all, even though it was his own company and his own building and his own staff! Gov said no way.
Edited by ashleyman on Sunday 20th March 00:56
ewenm said:
... (or the NHS as another large organisation awash with data but struggling for meaningful information)...
And tons of vacancies: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/xi/search_vacancy/5d46c1ee...Good luck!
GT03ROB said:
98elise said:
The Moose said:
98elise said:
I don't have a facebook account so you will have to enlighten me 
Presume it's his LinkedIn page trying to get them to recruit through the thread?!ashleyman said:
If you're looking to get in via consultancy (if you're setting up your own) you can expect the restrictions to be even tighter with even deeper background checks for a new supplier. Not sure how it would work joining one already working with them but you'd probably have to pass vetting before working for them due to sensitive material.
If you join a consultancy dealing with an organisation holding or dealing with sensitive data, part of the job offer will be that if you haven't already got it and can start without it, you'll under go the appropriate baseline checks while they put you through the necessary level of vetting. I have seen people fail vetting and been promptly marched out a building! Jakg said:
If your looking at the analysis side, even at a management level, bear in mind the police also do something similar (civilian staff, not officers).
Efbe said:
interesting, I hadn't thought of that.
I would also be interested in something more along the lines of scientific research, though have no idea how well my skills would fit in there!
If your interested in the financial analysis side, bear in mind the police can seize the proceeds of crimeI would also be interested in something more along the lines of scientific research, though have no idea how well my skills would fit in there!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32827790
It's one of the few areas of the police that can actually make a profit - and it's something they are looking to aggressively expand.
EDIT - Not a recommendation, just a suggest. Information on some of the roles available in this sector is (understandably) scarce online.
Thanks all, some really helpful suggestions here.
Also to note, financial data is just data. data is all the same, it's just how you handle it. Data is data. Whether dealing with millions of error/status codes and turning into availability, or turning billions of transactions into an explanation of 'why'.
It all starts from a base number and matters little what it actually represents. It's how you deal with it, process, manipulate and interrogate that matters. But it would be really nice if the numbers you are turning into a picture actually meant something worthwhile!
Also to note, financial data is just data. data is all the same, it's just how you handle it. Data is data. Whether dealing with millions of error/status codes and turning into availability, or turning billions of transactions into an explanation of 'why'.
It all starts from a base number and matters little what it actually represents. It's how you deal with it, process, manipulate and interrogate that matters. But it would be really nice if the numbers you are turning into a picture actually meant something worthwhile!
Ynox said:
Does applying to GCHQ say you can't tell people? If not, no worries about this thread.
Edit - I'd double check before listing it on Linked In, but the same applies (although discretion is probably advised!).
Years ago I went through the recruitment process for a IT job at MI6. We were told right from the off to not tell anyone other than spouse that we were applying for a job there. All communications and reference requests came through on Foreign Office headed paper.Edit - I'd double check before listing it on Linked In, but the same applies (although discretion is probably advised!).
I never went all the way through it in the end. The recruitment process takes a while and they only tell you the job and salary at the end. I was offered a job at a law firm paying a lot more than I was on currently so took that.
We were told at an initial open day that we would be given cover stories if we worked there to tell other people. Something boring that wouldn't prompt other questions. The example was working in the pensions dept at the FO. So if anyone tell you they do that ask them if they work at Vauxhall Cross and give em a wink.
I worked for EDS Defence for a bit on an MoD contract. Stuck in a s
tty temporary accommodation unit with a tin roof, which was fking freezing in winter and sweat box in summer.
Not much of the work that was done there felt worthy or like I was helping society. THink you have to be quote close to the sharp to get that feeling OP
tty temporary accommodation unit with a tin roof, which was fking freezing in winter and sweat box in summer.Not much of the work that was done there felt worthy or like I was helping society. THink you have to be quote close to the sharp to get that feeling OP
98elise said:
eliot said:
Posting this thread will probably exclude you from anything interesting so to speak.
I was thinking exactly the same thing. The last thing GCHQ would be looking for is someone advertising that want to work at GCHQ with access to data.Good morning GCHQ
This person had to delete all social media (after first interview), again not tell anyone what they were doing or being interviewed for, had all (when I say all, it means all) family members background history checked, friends checked etc, if you lie once they will know and you are out, it's pretty scary what I got told the process is like and what they know.....!
AbzST64 said:
Knowing someone very close who works in GCHQ the above statements are pretty much spot on!
This person had to delete all social media (after first interview), again not tell anyone what they were doing or being interviewed for, had all (when I say all, it means all) family members background history checked, friends checked etc, if you lie once they will know and you are out, it's pretty scary what I got told the process is like and what they know.....!
But also nothing to worry about if you're not trying to hide anything. A major aspect of the vetting process is trying to find things that can be used as leverage against you. In general, they aren't interested in what you've done etc as long as you're open and honest about it. If you try to hide something, then that can be used as blackmail against you.This person had to delete all social media (after first interview), again not tell anyone what they were doing or being interviewed for, had all (when I say all, it means all) family members background history checked, friends checked etc, if you lie once they will know and you are out, it's pretty scary what I got told the process is like and what they know.....!
Basic rules of ANY employment (not just security cleared roles) is not to discuss details of your work on social media. The more sensitive that work is, the less you mention.
ewenm said:
But also nothing to worry about if you're not trying to hide anything. A major aspect of the vetting process is trying to find things that can be used as leverage against you. In general, they aren't interested in what you've done etc as long as you're open and honest about it. If you try to hide something, then that can be used as blackmail against you.
Basic rules of ANY employment (not just security cleared roles) is not to discuss details of your work on social media. The more sensitive that work is, the less you mention.
Yip, agree 100%!! Basic rules of ANY employment (not just security cleared roles) is not to discuss details of your work on social media. The more sensitive that work is, the less you mention.
944fan said:
Years ago I went through the recruitment process for a IT job at MI6. We were told right from the off to not tell anyone other than spouse that we were applying for a job there. All communications and reference requests came through on Foreign Office headed paper.
I never went all the way through it in the end. The recruitment process takes a while and they only tell you the job and salary at the end. I was offered a job at a law firm paying a lot more than I was on currently so took that.
We were told at an initial open day that we would be given cover stories if we worked there to tell other people. Something boring that wouldn't prompt other questions. The example was working in the pensions dept at the FO. So if anyone tell you they do that ask them if they work at Vauxhall Cross and give em a wink.
When I was younger a friend of mine worked at MI5 and his stuff was through the courts service. I was in high school and he was like 22/23 or something (most of my friends were older). I'm not sure if he still works there as we drifted apart when he moved away but I was one of the few that knew what he did, I never believed him and thought he might have been showing off until I got early warning of a couple things happening around my moms work place and one day he told my mom to stay home from work which was very very lucky that she did.I never went all the way through it in the end. The recruitment process takes a while and they only tell you the job and salary at the end. I was offered a job at a law firm paying a lot more than I was on currently so took that.
We were told at an initial open day that we would be given cover stories if we worked there to tell other people. Something boring that wouldn't prompt other questions. The example was working in the pensions dept at the FO. So if anyone tell you they do that ask them if they work at Vauxhall Cross and give em a wink.
No idea what happened to him, was a very weird but interesting guy and was always disappearing for a few days at a time 'for work'. He also was petrified about having his photo taken and would put his hand up to cover his face whenever a camera was out. Even asked people to delete photos if he knew he was in them. Never had any social media and never gave out his telephone number either.
Edited by ashleyman on Monday 21st March 15:41
944fan said:
I worked for EDS Defence for a bit on an MoD contract. Stuck in a stty temporary accommodation unit with a tin roof, which was fking freezing in winter and sweat box in summer.
Not much of the work that was done there felt worthy or like I was helping society. THink you have to be quote close to the sharp to get that feeling OP
And me, although I was in an odd square shaped building on the south coast with a hole in the middle...tty temporary accommodation unit with a tin roof, which was fking freezing in winter and sweat box in summer.Not much of the work that was done there felt worthy or like I was helping society. THink you have to be quote close to the sharp to get that feeling OP
There's a lot of scaremongering in this thread, as per. There was an entire LinkedIn group of cleared people and it had zero affect in the long run.
Yes you need to be discreet. But the reality is all they're looking for is that you can be trusted and not black mailed. If you like to insert inanimate objects into your orifices, that's fine, but don't hide that from your partner. Don't make your job and item of casual conversation, but don't create some elaborate lie instead.
OP, look into the major contractors. Northrop Grumman, GE, Atkins etc etc. Anything that advertises near the donut is likely to be moderately interesting.
Yes you need to be discreet. But the reality is all they're looking for is that you can be trusted and not black mailed. If you like to insert inanimate objects into your orifices, that's fine, but don't hide that from your partner. Don't make your job and item of casual conversation, but don't create some elaborate lie instead.
OP, look into the major contractors. Northrop Grumman, GE, Atkins etc etc. Anything that advertises near the donut is likely to be moderately interesting.
Just go on Reed or Indeed and look at jobs that require security clearance. Then email them and ask them if they have anything in your role. Then narrow down the yes' if there are any to those that are right near GCHQ addresses.
Though if you need to make a thread about it, chances are they won't be interested in you, considering you are supposed to find a codephrase within an image just to apply to Mi5, and GCHQ is leagues ahead in its cyber defence/programming skill (UK's version of NSA).
Though if you need to make a thread about it, chances are they won't be interested in you, considering you are supposed to find a codephrase within an image just to apply to Mi5, and GCHQ is leagues ahead in its cyber defence/programming skill (UK's version of NSA).
twoblacklines said:
Just go on Reed or Indeed and look at jobs that require security clearance. Then email them and ask them if they have anything in your role. Then narrow down the yes' if there are any to those that are right near GCHQ addresses.
Though if you need to make a thread about it, chances are they won't be interested in you, considering you are supposed to find a codephrase within an image just to apply to Mi5, and GCHQ is leagues ahead in its cyber defence/programming skill (UK's version of NSA).
haha yes, that image is fun. thrown by the hex slightly, but got there in the end.Though if you need to make a thread about it, chances are they won't be interested in you, considering you are supposed to find a codephrase within an image just to apply to Mi5, and GCHQ is leagues ahead in its cyber defence/programming skill (UK's version of NSA).
ashleyman said:
944fan said:
Years ago I went through the recruitment process for a IT job at MI6. We were told right from the off to not tell anyone other than spouse that we were applying for a job there. All communications and reference requests came through on Foreign Office headed paper.
I never went all the way through it in the end. The recruitment process takes a while and they only tell you the job and salary at the end. I was offered a job at a law firm paying a lot more than I was on currently so took that.
We were told at an initial open day that we would be given cover stories if we worked there to tell other people. Something boring that wouldn't prompt other questions. The example was working in the pensions dept at the FO. So if anyone tell you they do that ask them if they work at Vauxhall Cross and give em a wink.
When I was younger a friend of mine worked at MI5 and his stuff was through the courts service. I was in high school and he was like 22/23 or something (most of my friends were older). I'm not sure if he still works there as we drifted apart when he moved away but I was one of the few that knew what he did, I never believed him and thought he might have been showing off until I got early warning of a couple things happening around my moms work place and one day he told my mom to stay home from work which was very very lucky that she did.I never went all the way through it in the end. The recruitment process takes a while and they only tell you the job and salary at the end. I was offered a job at a law firm paying a lot more than I was on currently so took that.
We were told at an initial open day that we would be given cover stories if we worked there to tell other people. Something boring that wouldn't prompt other questions. The example was working in the pensions dept at the FO. So if anyone tell you they do that ask them if they work at Vauxhall Cross and give em a wink.
No idea what happened to him, was a very weird but interesting guy and was always disappearing for a few days at a time 'for work'. He also was petrified about having his photo taken and would put his hand up to cover his face whenever a camera was out. Even asked people to delete photos if he knew he was in them. Never had any social media and never gave out his telephone number either.
Edited by ashleyman on Monday 21st March 15:41
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff