It is a long, multi-step process, but can be very rewarding. I started my journey by filling out a job application at CIA.gov. The application itself was long and I needed to attach a writing sample. I wasn't exactly sure what would be a good fit for what I was looking for but the recruiters at CIA are really good about looking into your background and finding a good fit if one exists. As it turned out there was something I would be a good fit with my background in IT. I received a phone call from a blocked number the following day and missed the call. The recruiter left me a voicemail without identifying the agency, basically saying that he was with the talent acquisition office and that there was a position available that would be a good fit for me and that he would try calling me again the next day around the same time. He did not leave a contact number. The following day I was ready and we had a brief phone conversation where we basically discussed the position and I confirmed my interest in it because it was not something I had applied to on my application. He then emailed me a detailed job description and I confirmed via email that I liked what I saw. A few days later, I received an emailed invitation to take a cognitive abilities test and a personality test. I took both that day and then I waited for about 1-2 weeks. At that point, I received an email stating that I was being extended an invitation to go to an interview in the Washington DC area. They paid for my flight and told me to book my hotel but they reimbursed me for the expenses. The building and location are secret and there are non-disclosures I won't violate but there's a lot of security, armed guards, surveillance...it's the CIA, what do you expect? Everyone interviewing is pretty uptight but the staff does a good job of trying to break the ice a bit. They take you in groups to an information presentation and you are given your interview times. The interview is one-on-one. The best advise I can give is this. Prepare for general questions, but be yourself. Don't be afraid to let your quirky self-show a little bit. For me. I found it to be a really good experience. I enjoyed meeting and talking to my interviewer and learning about some of his experiences. The person I interviewed with had done the job I was being hired for so I had lots of questions for him. He seemed to like that. After the interview, I was free to go. I went to the airport and flew home. About a week later, I got a call from my recruiter telling me that I was being extended a job offer and he told me my paygrade/salary. I accepted and a week after that, I received a packet via FedEx with my offer and instructions to fill out security paperwork. The paperwork: 300+ pages. It took me a week to get it all done and sent back. Luckily much of it is online. The paperwork is checked for errors by one person who has a brief conversation with to make any obvious corrections and then they schedule an appointment with someone who takes a deeper look at the content. They also have you fill out more paperwork that pertains to your health and medical history. Two weeks later I had that conversation where we went over my security information. Unfortunately for me, this was my last stop in the process. I am still working on rebuilding my credit and that is a big factor. They were unable to prequalify me for the TS/SCI security clearance. Had that not been the last stop, I would have been invited to go back down to the same place I interviewed but it would have been 3 days of medical / drug tests, psych test and meeting with a CIA shrink and polygraphs. Assuming you pass those, they then send your file to a field investigator who interviews everyone you have ever known basically and try to corroborate all the information you have provided. Once the field investigator completes his / her work, they send your file back to the CIA office of security to an adjudicator who makes the final decision. If you are hired you are given your EOD(Entrance on Duty) instructions. If not, like in my case, you receive another Fedex letter stating that your initial Condition offer was rescinded and that you are welcome to reapply after one year. Overall, was a great experience for me. From start to finish for me, it was 3 months. The entire process, had I completed it can be anywhere from 9-13 months on average. I have no regrets. In fact, even though it didn't work out, I am grateful to have had this life experience. I will cherish it forever. Maybe once I get my finances cleaned up, I'll try again. Good luck!