We’ve been getting a lot of great feedback on the Youtube channel. I want to thank everyone for their emails and the kind words. I’m glad you’ve found it helpful and informative. I hope you’ve also found it entertaining. I had a great time working for CSIS and highly recommend it to anyone who is interested. The process is long though and it’s tough to get in and there isn’t much information available about it. So for those who have some general questions on where to start – here’s my initial advice:
- Check out the CSIS jobs website, see if there are any jobs that interest you. Many people want to be Intelligence Officers or Surveillance but there are a lot of different jobs such as tactical and strategic analysts and IT folks.
- Check the requirements and look out for things like degree requirement. Or whether you need to be bilingual for the role. Is it region specific or based in Ottawa? It’s unfortunately a box ticking exercise in the early stages so if you don’t have something they need like a University degree or driving license it’s going to be extremely hard to make it through.
- Check out my book – I was Never Here – It’s about my time at CSIS. And you don’t have to buy the whole thing you can download free sample chapters here – including the one about my recruitment. It may be dated now but it will give you an idea of some of the stages and how frustrating it can be.
- And hey, if you like that – please do buy the whole thing. It’s available wherever you buy your books. You can buy it on this website if you want a signed copy. It’s more expensive because of shipping. And if you can do me a favour, if you read it and like it – Please give me a review.
- Have a look out for my seminars and sessions. I am going to try to be better about posting on YouTube. I did an hour lunch and learn session in August. I’m thinking of doing another. Until then I’m going to be posting the last one on my website. Will be up soon.
If you have any questions please send them our way info@Kirschgroup.ca. We’ll make it into a video, a post or add it to the next info session.
I hope this helps and good luck!