British intelligence agency MI6 launches recruitment drive on Facebook

London, Sept 29 : In a bid to recruit the next generation of spies, UK's Secret Intelligence Service MI6 has launched a series of online adverts on the social networking website Facebook.

The advertisements are aimed at attracting potential spies from all kinds of backgrounds.

While, the intelligence agency had traditionally been recruiting members from the country's elite universities, this time it has targeted the popular social networking site.

"A number of public channels are used to promote job opportunities in the organisation and Facebook is a recent example of this," the Guardian quoted a Foreign Office spokeswoman as saying.

MI6, which recruited students from leading universities up to 2006, had been trying to reach the common people via newspaper and radio adverts since then.

And now, the spy agency claims that it wants its officers to "reflect the society" they serve.

Its adverts on Facebook have already generated a lot of interest.

"There has been a very good response so far," said a spokeswoman.

MI6 has launched three adverts, which pop up when users of the social networking site contact one another.

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

There is another ad that targets people who are bored with their jobs, reading: "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."

And the third advert offers potential applicants a powerful place in global history.

It says: "A career in world events? Help influence world events, protect the UK.Operational officer rolescollecting and analysing global intelligence."

ANI