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11.28.06
CIA Quizzes Would-Be James Bonds Online
 By David Utter
The tradecraft of decades ago, where spy recruiters would go forth to make surreptitious contacts with potential agents, has a complementary modern tool online to gain interest from the CIA's desired audience.
Instead of the world-weary rumpled nondescript agent, like Peter Falk's character in The In-Laws or the latest model in the James Bond franchise, the Central Intelligence Agency wants computer-literate types who can network efficiently and share information.
All that means is the way information can be shared has changed over the years.
The Agency wants people who have grown up with these changes, and has focused some energy on updating its website to appeal to the new generation of potential agents.
Part of their effort includes a section dedicated to dispelling common myths about the CIA to recruits.
They break down the myths through a "personality quiz" that brings up a common belief, and then explains why it isn't true.
For each myth there is an accompanying question about the reader's personality.
Answering each question reveals another myth, and another choice to make.
For example, it seems the notion that everyone drives around in sports cars with machine guns coming out of the tailpipes is a myth. (Whoever created the question obviously has never been to South Florida, where firearms have been known to punctuate driving disputes.)
Finishing the quiz reveals one's personality type from out of five possibilities. (It rated me as a "Thoughtful Observer.") As a reflection of the times, the quiz includes a note at the end where they remind the test taker that it was for entertainment purposes only, they aren't saving your answers, and no one has gathered your personal information.
From there the visitor can explore careers at the Agency.
They list a number of positions for engineers and information technology types. Non-Romance languages are in significant demand, so a Farsi-speaking individual who can make a router sit up and beg probably has a good shot at getting some attention from the CIA's hiring officers.
About the Author:
David Utter is a business and technology writer for SecurityProNews, WebProNews, and InternetFinancialNews.
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