I have an interview with the CIA for a position I am being considered for.  Initially I was contacted via email by the CIA recruitment office two weeks after I filled out their online application process.  The initial email detailed information I needed to submit to them for "round 2" of the process.  I had to submit a cover letter, an analytical paper detailing my speciality and an paper detailing my skill sets and experience in depth.  I was given 3 weeks to write the papers and submit my college transcripts which were finished and submitted with in the specified time frame.   

Here is where things get interesting.  I have a friend who is retired CIA, 20 years ago, he said as fast as I was contacted I attracted someone's attention in a big way and he said make sure I get everything in.  Also, both my former CIA friend and a friend in the Pentagon advised me to let the CIA recruiter know I was tentatively scheduled to go overseas for a job with a contractor for the DIA.  I sent the email to the CIA recruiter as instructed and within 1 hour I heard back saying, "The CIA requests I keep them informed of my status and any changes that might occur, if there are any changes to your status please update."  That was the last coorispondance I received from the CIA recruiter.

On Tuesday, after much mental debate, I emailed the CIA recruiter and informed her basically I would rather have a job stateside and I was reconsidering my overseas position for various reasons.  Within 4 hours of that email I received a phone call from the recruiter asking if I would be available to fly out for an interview.  Any thoughts on this?
My former CIA friend said as far as he is concerned I already have the job because of how fast they reacted, both with my initial contact and it seemed a strange coincidence getting a phone call for an interview 4 hours after I emailed them saying, Hey guys I would rather work for you.  Well, I really didn't say that, but this is basically what it said.
I have a pretty specialized skill set, knowledge base and I considered a subject matter specialist in my field.  I am just confused, because how I was contacted doesn't seem to follow the "traditional path".  No "pre-screening" process was mentioned in my initial email contacts and the email said that if the interview was successful I would be offered a position.  I already hold a Top Secret Clearance and it is being upgraded to TS/SCI.  So would this affect how I was contacted?
I would be grateful for any input you folks can give me.

I am having a similar issue.  I went ahead in the online application and received a phone call within 2 weeks or so.  (so excited) I hold a few citizenships, fluent in a few languages, which are of high value to the CIA and also I spent considerable time abroad ( 5 different countries).  I didnt think I would have a chance of being hired but now after the conversation with a recruiter, I am waiting for more word on the hiring process.  Needless to say, this would be a dream career but i will get a letter either saying yes move forward or no.  THis process is about 3-4 weeks.  I am wondering of ways to add a few things that i forgot to say during my initial telephone interview.  I am wondering what to expect and how to increase my chances of a future with the CIA.    ANy recommendations?

I am also writing a mini essay of all the qualities that i didnt write on my email and my tentative plans to travel abroad again.   Should i just hold on and wait for the hiring people to get back to me or are there ways to sweeten the pot?

First off ALL YOU YOU ARE STUPID FOR DISCUSSING THIS MATTER ON THE INTERNET...if you are interested with any job not necessarily even a gov. job that requires you to NOT tell anyone about the process or your intentions...which if you had ever been on the cia's website it clearly states DO NOT TALK ABOUT THIS TO ANYONE so really the reason none of you made it is because you are not what they are looking for...I know this because it is common sense...why the hell would you apply for a position where you are required to maintain the utmost secrecy and talk about it on the internet....that is stupid...and another thing this is NOT the movies...there are thousands of guys out there who can shoot run fast speak many languages if thats what any employer was looking for it is not hard to find just go to the army and find an army translator there u go...they look for other stuff like integrity discipline and the ability to shut the crappity smack up...just sayin...but then again i could be wrong ive never worked for them or known anyone who has...i mean everyone else on this forum seems to be much more versed in the internal dynamics of how the cia works however never being in the cia i dont know how so but whatever...its just common sense that being said yea kiss that job good bye just sayin use common sense

punctuation.......hmmm hows the weather there? its very cold here...i have to be careful though right? cause "Be aware that polygraph operators also read the discussions on this message board. If you wish to remain anonymous, be careful not to post enough personal detail that you could be identified "  it is stated on this page haha

I don't have to worry about that crap, as I've nothing to lose.

I'm perfectly free to disparage the Agency and its vile vetting process!