See what's involved in the recruitment process, from your application to your first day on the job.
Application stage
Complete your application online.
What we do
We use the profile you create on beyondordinary.govt.nz for the application process and keep it on record.
We may use your profile in the future to contact you regarding other opportunities or your ongoing interest in joining the intelligence community.
What you do
Check your eligibility(external link)(external link) to hold a Top Secret Special clearance on the Protective Security Requirements website.
Create your Beyond Ordinary profile and complete your application.
To create a profile go to the Vacancies(external link) page, click 'Sign in', and then 'I'm new here'.
We recommend you familiarise yourself with the security clearance vetting process before completing your application. It's a comprehensive vetting process that's quite different from a standard recruitment process. You can find an overview of the process on the PSR website(external link)(external link).
Security advice
Keep the fact you've applied to work at the GCSB or NZSIS to yourself, or only discuss it with someone you trust to be discreet.
If you're shortlisted, we'll contact you about the next step in the process.
What we do
During the shortlisting stage we'll connect with you and share more information about the role and the team.
Typically, we'll ask you to attend a panel interview. This usually takes between one and two hours.
For some roles you may also need to attend a half-day or full-day in-person assessment. (You can find more information about this in the 'Selection' section below).
What you do
Be prepared to answer a phone call from an 'Unknown Number' or 'No Caller ID'!
If you're invited to an interview and would like a support person to accompany you, let your recruitment advisor know at this stage.
If you need to take leave from work to attend an interview, we recommend that you don't share the details with your current employer.
If you have any concerns about the security vetting process it's a good time to ask your recruitment advisor questions.
Security advice
Being shortlisted is exciting! But try to keep the news to yourself, or only share it with a person you really trust.
The interview is a way for you to showcase your skills.
What we do
We conduct interviews, assess candidates and identify preferred candidates.
What you do
Review the position description before your interview, as it outlines the skills you might be asked about.
Attend the interview at one of our sites. Our interviews are normally in person, but online interviews are also available.
Security advice
You can share how the interview went with your trusted person, but don't name the interviewers, reveal specific questions, or share other details from the interview.
Preliminary checks
Some roles require you to complete additional assessments, such as attending an assessment centre, completing a leadership profile, or other psychological assessments.
Assessment centres are run in person.
What we do
If we haven't already, at this stage we'll be in touch to organise a time and place for you to complete these assessments.
We'll keep you posted on how the assessment process is tracking - but be aware it can take some time.
Any personal information collected during these assessments will only be used in relation to making recruitment decisions.
If you are not successful, we will delete any personally identifying information after two years. This means you won't have to repeat the assessments if you apply for another role within that timeframe.
What you do
Assessment centre
If your role requires it, you'll be asked to attend an in-person assessment centre. There, you'll take part in structured activities as well as written tests that help us gauge your motivation, abilities and organisational fit.
Psychological assessment
The psychological assessment is conducted virtually. It provides us with assurance about psychological characteristics - the questions can be quite personal.
Security advice
You can tell your trusted person that you have an assessment, but don't share any of the questions or your answers.
If you are a preferred candidate this is the stage we'll need to conduct reference checks.
What we do
We'll let you know if you're the preferred candidate and tell you we'll be contacting your referees.
What you do
You'll need to provide contact details of at least two referees - ideally one of these will be your current manager.
If you can't use your manager talk to your recruitment advisor about an appropriate alternative referee.
Ask each referee if they're comfortable having their details shared with us for the purposes of a performing a reference check.
Let your referees know to expect a phone call from an 'unknown number' or 'no caller ID'.
Security advice
Being a preferred candidate is exciting news! We ask that you limit the number of people you tell about reaching this stage to a very small, trusted group.
Be honest with your referees, but limit what you tell them to what they need to know, for example, 'I've applied for a new role in a government department (or the security sector). If you're happy to be a referee, the recruitment team will call you to discuss the referee process.'
OR
'I've applied for a role at the NZIC (New Zealand Intelligence Community) - I'd like to keep that between us, and I'd really like you to be a referee for me. if you are happy with that, the recruitment team will call you to discuss the referee process.'
You might need to tell your referees a little bit about the role, we advise you keep the description very high level. For example: 'It's a role analysing data and writing reports.'
Acceptance and vetting
At this stage we'll make you a provisional offer. This is an offer that's conditional on you obtaining a national security clearance.
What we do
We'll call you to make the provisional offer.
We'll provide further information and guidance on completing the national security clearance proce
What you do
Respond to the provisional offer, including your signed acceptance.
Do not resign from your current employment at this stage as your offer is provisional and depends on you being granted a national security clearance.
Security advice
Our team will provide you with basic cover advice over the phone.
Vetting forms enable us to start the security check needed for a Top Secret Special clearance.
What we do
We'll send you vetting forms to complete online. We'll then send forms to your chosen referees.
What you do
If you don't receive forms from our vetting team within three days of receiving your provisional offer, contact your recruitment advisor.
At this stage you'll need to identify appropriate referees to support your national security clearance vetting. Ideally they will have known you for at least 15 years.
Complete the online vetting forms and provide your referees' contact details as quickly as possible.
Submit your vetting forms.
Security advice
Keep everything in the forms to yourself.
As you gather information, you might need to discuss some questions with other people, but don't share the content of the forms.
Ask each referee for consent before sharing their details with us.
When arranging referees you should be honest, but limit what you tell them to only what they need to know.
Clearances are granted for a lot of roles in government, and even within the private sector. To limit exposure, you can keep details vague, for example: 'My new role requires a security clearance, I've been asked to provide names of people who know me well.'
All vetting information is collected in-confidence and is held by our vetting team.
The vetting interview can feel intrusive but it's an important part of assessing your suitability for holding a security clearance.
What we do
A member of our vetting team will interview you. This interview could be held in person at one of our sites, at your home, or online.
After the interview the entire vetting process might take several more months. We'll keep you updated throughout this process.
What you do
There isn't much you can do to prepare for your vetting interview, just be ready to answer questions truthfully.
You may bring a support person to your vetting interview. If you would like to do so, please discuss this with us when scheduling your interview. If you do bring a support person, please make sure they undertake this role in confidence.
Security advice
You may talk to a trusted person about the interview, but don't share details about what you're asked.
The interview will be recorded for transcription and assessment. All information is locked to the vetting team and is used only for the clearance decision.
Starting your role
When vetting checks are complete we'll be in contact to let you know the outcome.
What we do
Your recruitment advisor will call you with the outcome.
If you've successfully obtained a national security clearance we'll send you an official confirmation letter.
Your hiring manager will also be in touch to talk more about the role and will also likely find a time where you can meet your team.
What you do
Once you have received confirmation you have been granted a clearance you can arrange a start date with your recruitment advisor. This will need to coincide with one of our monthly induction dates.
Security advice
You can share your good news with your trusted person - it's a good opportunity to remind them not to share the information further.
We know it's challenging, but limit what you share by using broad terms such as 'a government agency', or 'a team focused on analysis and insights'.
If pressed for details, stay vague: 'public servant' or 'government role' is enough.
Induction sets you up to succeed in all aspects of your role.
What we do
We will confirm the induction date and location.
We'll send you a welcome book with extra information about working in the agency.
What you do
Attend the induction on the date that you've agreed to.
Day one is held at Pipitea House in Wellington - our headquarters.
Security advice
During induction we'll explain how to use cover and give you a clearer picture of your work.