Application

Patricia Fearing: "What exactly do you do?"
James Bond: "Oh, I travel… a sort of licensed troubleshooter."

- from the movie Thunderball, 1965

Okay. It's time to show you how spies write resumes. I know, I know, you might have a job at the moment. You might even have a lucrative freelance gig. Just remeber, situations are fluid. It's best to be prepared.

The format really isn't important. What information you include is important. Write it your own way, but don't leave anything out. And for simplicity's sake, break it into sections, else nobody will be able to understand it and you'll still be serving coffee six months from now.

—I, Spy

Background

I need to know what made you who you are. If that's where you were born or who your parents were, that's fine. If it's what high school you went to or what you did instead of going to college, that's fine. How you ended up in the service. Who your best friend is. Or was. Whatever you've experienced that has helped to define you, write it down. Use as much or as little of the worksheet as you need, just make sure you cover all the pertinent details.

Note: If you have trouble coming up with a background here's a little tool that might help.

Personality

I'm aware that these psych evaluations are tiresome. None of us enjoy them, but it's something we all have to go through from time to time. What I want you to do is write down several points about yourself that define who you are and how you handle your job. Be thorough, but more importantly, be honest. If I think you're holding anything back, we'll have to start this mess all over again.

Advantages

You're special. You know it and I know it. Tell me why. Put it on paper. You have a trust fund? Great eyesight? A contact in the FBI? Whatever seperates you from the herd, you tell me about it. In detail.

Go on.

Disadvantages

This is a lot like the last section, only backward. I need to know about your failings. Workaholic? Alcoholic? Chocoholic?

Tell me.

Bad back? Bad grip? Bad breath?

Tell me.

If you have an enemy, tell me. If you have gambling debts, tell me. If you have a crazy ex who's likely to show up in the middle of an assignment, you damn well better tell me.

Now.

Skills

And now the question of questions. What do you bring to the table? What's your specialty? Not everyone is a field agent, I know, but even Bond had Q. Behind every great operative are people who work with tech, disseminate information, and make difficult decisions. And if you're a field agent, then what sort? Saboteur? HUMINT specialist? Wetwork?