Facebook hunt for the new James Bond

Secret Service spymasters are turning to Facebook in a very public bid to recruit their latest James Bonds - reports The Sunday Mercury.

MI6 has been advertising on the social network website since September in the hope of appealing to the next generation of agents.

The move is part of a campaign to attract applications from the general public, rather than recruit in the dusty halls and corridors of Britain’s universities.

The ‘‘Spy Wanted’’ adverts appear as users click through the popular social networking site browsing the latest messages from their friends.

MI6 has posted three different Facebook ads to entice a variety of people into the job.

One aimed at those with a university background says: “Graduates of all ages can develop long-term careers as operational officers, collecting and analysing global intelligence.”

Another is aimed at those bored of their job and looking for a dramatic career change. It states: “Time for a career change? MI6 can use your skills. Join us as an operational officer collecting and analysing global intelligence to protect the UK.”

The final advert offers potential applicants an influential seat in global history. It reads: “A career in world events?

“Help influence world events. Protect the UK. Operational officer roles collecting and analysing global intelligence.”

MI6 has also been using its own website in recent years to attract recruits.

It says anyone who wants to take on such a role must be: “Motivated, high calibre people, with a strong political curiosity, impressive intellect and an international perspective.’’

The switch to Facebook is the latest in a line of modern moves to recruit from the general public.

Before 2006 most people entered into the service after getting the “tap on the shoulder” in the plush surroundings of Oxford or Cambridge University.

Now, recognising the need to attract more people from differing backgrounds, secret service bosses are looking at a variety of ways to open up the process.

A spokeswoman for MI6 said: “As part of its ongoing staff recruitment campaigns, the Secret Intelligence Service continues to identify new and creative opportunities to engage with potential candidates for the Service.

“The Facebook adverts are a recent example. The title of operational officer is a cover for numerous different jobs carried out by the security services.

“These can range from analysing data sent in from agents to working in a hostile foreign environment and collecting information – closer to the James Bond role.

Last week the first TV interview with a serving MI6 officer was recorded for the BBC’s The One Show.

But the spook – known only as “John” – suffered embarrassment as the heat from the studio lights caused his stick-on moustache to fall off during the filming.

Since 2006 adverts for jobs with MI6 have appeared in national newspapers and even on Radio One. The organisation was formed in 1909 to protect the country from overseas threats.

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