CIA Cover Letter

The Central Intelligence Agency offers many different job opportunities: from barbers to intelligence analysts to clandestine operatives. While the exact statistics aren’t made public, there can be thousands of applicants for hundreds of positions, making the CIA recruitment process incredibly competitive.

Additionally, because the CIA’s work directly impacts the security of the nation, the application process is long and intensive to ensure they hire the right people. This application process typically consists of:

• An online application
• Testing (intelligence tests, personality assessments) and interviews
• Full background investigation (SF-86)
• Polygraph interview
• Medical, psychological, and security evaluations

Follow our three tips to write a CIA cover letter that will get your application to the next step in the hiring process:

1. Follow the CIA cover letter directions carefully

While LinkedIn and other sites have CIA job postings and application tips, the best place to find job openings is the official CIA website. You’ll also have to apply through their career portal once you’re ready to submit your application.

Given that the application process can take an average of one year, the CIA recommends you apply for multiple jobs at once (up to four). However, you’re only allowed one cover letter for all positions.

Rather than writing a generic cover letter, specifically address each position.  Following the below CIA cover letter prompt will help you to do this:

CIA Cover Letter Prompt

Using our webform, provide a one-paragraph response to each of the following questions focusing on each item that pertains to you and the specific jobs to which you are applying.

1. Describe why you want to work for the CIA and specifically address each of the jobs to which you are applying.

Start with broad strokes: why do you want to work for the CIA as an institution? Show how your life’s personal mission relates to their mission. While you may want to get more personal to explain your motivations for working at the CIA, keep it professional.

Next, address why you want each position by incorporating specific information from the job descriptions.

Then, use the middle of your CIA cover letter to address the second part of the CIA prompt:

2. Describe what differentiates you from other applicants and how your background makes you a qualified candidate.

Note that many of the other candidates will have similar qualifications to you (e.g. degrees or GPA earned). While you still need to explicitly state these qualifications, use your unique experience or accomplishments (e.g. awards won or specific topic researched during your advanced degree) to differentiate yourself.

2. Be succinct

While there are no character limits for a CIA cover letter, try to stick to the “one paragraph per question” guideline.

To keep your answers short while addressing each job, try to find and emphasize the hard and soft skills that all the jobs you’re applying for share. Addressing every job in your letter will likely be easier if you apply for roles within the same directorate, although this isn’t required.

No matter the job, be sure to highlight these key soft skills that will help you land work in the CIA:

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Leadership

However, don’t worry about fitting every little detail into your cover letter.

Some information may fit elsewhere in your application, like in your well-written resume. Depending on the particular roles you’re applying for, you’ll also need to submit supplemental documents (e.g. Writing Sample – Analytic, Qualifications Supplement).

3. Explain how you identify with the CIA’s mission

The CIA’s mission to uphold the security of the United States using intelligence collection is central to everything that they do. Consequently, working for the CIA is often called “a lifestyle” and “a career” rather than a job.

Your cover letter must emphasize how the CIA’s mission and vision are important to you. As these values will be tested throughout the application process and — if you’re hired — throughout your tenure as a CIA officer, your reasons for joining the CIA can’t be superficial.

To demonstrate how you identify with the CIA’s mission, you may want to discuss:

• How an international or national security incident impacted you
• Your previous service, such as working in a federal position or serving in the armed forces
• What intrigued you about participating in a CIA student program
• How living as a naturalized US citizen, child of new immigrants, or as a US expat abroad has affirmed your identity and values as an American while giving you international experience (especially as the Agency strives for increasing diversity in its workforce)