The FBI interview may seem competitive. However, preparing yourself before the interview can help you increase your chances of securing a job here. The following article provides 20 commonly asked questions in an FBI interview along with how best to answer them.
1. Briefly, Help Us To Know You.
The FBI recruiting manager asks you this question to determine whether or not you possess the qualities they are looking for. The best strategy for responding to this question is to relate the qualities you possess that can add value to the FBI team.
Sample Answer
“I am a hardworking,self-driven, and result-oriented person who works well in a team or as an individual. Before sending my application for this position, I went through the job posting carefully. I believe that the skills, qualifications, experience, and qualities are what you are looking for. What caught my attention is the face book’s mission and vision. My values match what your goals are. I feel that I will be of great impact to your team as well as helping them realize and achieve the overall goal of bringing people closer to each other.”
2. What Do You Know About The FBI?
This is a question mostly asked to assess whether or not you researched about the company. In your answer, highlight some of the working cultures of the FBI to demonstrate that you took time to familiarize yourself with its working culture.
Sample Answer
“The FBI is the strongest US federal law enforcement agency that was established in 1908. Its headquarter is in Washington, Dc. It is the federal counterterrorism and investigative arm of the united states department of justice. Its main responsibility is to enforce the law and investigate terrorist, intelligence matters and criminal activities inside the United States.”
3. What Have You Done To Prepare Yourself For This Role?
This is another common question asked by the FBI recruiting officer to find out whether or not you know the working culture of the company. In your answer, discuss how this position fits into your career goals.
Sample Answer
“Since when I was a child, I have had a desire to work with law enforcement agencies such as the FBI. This desire pushed me to study for a degree in criminal justice and political science as a major. Previously, I have worked in the military and other law enforcement agencies where I got a chance to improve my critical analysis, judgment, communication, and investigating skills. I believe that the FBI being the biggest US federal law enforcement agency will provide me with a better environment to grow my skills in this field. My desire to follow rules and procedures will enable me to work in this role as expected.”
4. What Are The Qualities That an FBI Agent Needs To Be Successful?
Here, the hiring manager is assessing whether you are aware of the qualities you should possess to serve as an FBI officer. The best strategy for responding to this question is to highlight some qualities that every FBI officer should have and match them with the job posting.
Sample Answer
“To work effectively in this role, The FBI officer must have strong deductive skills, exceptional intelligence, flexibility, irreproachable moral character, perfect physical fitness, be mentally and psychologically sound. One should also have a burning passion to assist the defenseless and the weak. Other important skills an FBA agent needs to have are strong communication, problem-solving, interpersonal, advanced computer knowledge, teamwork, and the ability to work independently. It is also crucial for an FBI agent to be trustworthy, responsible, honest, and good judgment skills.”
5. What Are The Roles Of an FBI Agent?
The recruiter may ask this question to determine whether or not you are aware of the responsibilities performed by an agent officer. In your response, highlight the duties of an FBI agent as you connect them to the job posting.
Sample Answer
“The roles of the FBI agent depend on the department one is assigned in. However, the duties may include:
- handling government document forgery, blackmail, cyber-crime, hijackings, bribery, espionage, extortion, and other national security matters.
- Performing surveillance, tracking, and examining suspicious subjects
- Finding shreds of evidence to solve cases that are assigned to them
- Traveling to the scene of crimes
- Handling terrorism and life-threatening situations.
- assisting other law enforcement agencies. ”
6. Describe Your Experience
The answer you provide for this question will help the hiring manager to know whether your background relates to the need of the FBI. Having the job posting in mind, summarize your work history and connect to the role you are applying for.
Sample Answer
“Having worked in the military and other law enforcement agencies, I have gained a lot of skills in handling different life-threatening situations including using the equipment, instruments, and gadgets necessary for this role. If I am hired for this role, I will ensure that I gather shreds of evidence, conduct interviews of witnesses and suspects to help in solving different cases.”
7. Why Do You Feel That You Are The Most Suited For This Role?
The FBI hiring manager asks this question to find whether your qualifications fit the needs of the agency. The best way to respond to this question is to project your skills, traits, experience, education, and achievements.
Sample Answer
“Besides working in the military for 4 years, I have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. I have also completed and passed a physical exam, written test, and rigorous FBI training. Additionally, I have strong communication, problem-solving, interpersonal, advanced computer knowledge, team worker, ability to work independently, I’m trustworthy, responsible, honest, and have good judgment skills. My burning passion to assist the defenseless and the weak will enable me to work effectively in this role.”
8. If You Get Hired For This Role, What Will Be Your Priorities?
Here, the recruiting manager is testing your motivation as well as your organizational skills. In your answers, demonstrate that you will be driven by the desire to see that the nation is free from criminal activities.
Sample Answers
“If all goes well and I get this job, my priorities will be to protect the United States against terrorist attacks, foreign intelligence operations, espionage, cyber-based attacks, high-technology crimes, as well as combating public corruption at all levels and protecting civil rights.”
9. Tell Me About Your Leadership Qualities.
Having in mind that Leadership Is One Of The Core Values Of The FBI, the recruiting manager wants to find out whether or not you are a leader. Here, highlight your leadership abilities.
Sample Answer
“Majority of my previous employer said that I was born a leader and this brings a lot of joy into my life. I am very cautious to know and understand my surrounding. Being able to adapt to the surroundings makes me open-minded such that I am able to make an informed decision regarding the best course of action for any given situation. Therefore, I can lead others in helping them realize their full potential.”
10. What Is The FBI’s Policy On The Use Of Deadly Force By Its Special Agents?
Most of the time, the recruiting manager may ask this question to test whether or not you know the working culture of the FBI. Research before the interview to know how to respond to this question.
Sample Answer
“Even though the FBI is the most powerful law enforcement agency in the world, their officer must always be prepared on the unpredictable things that can arise to know the actions that need to be taken. FBI will allow deadly force only when necessary such as if someone is in danger. However, the FBI agent is expected to provide the perpetrator forewarning before taking any action.”
11. Highlight The FBI Mission
Here, the recruiting manager wants to know whether or not you are aware of what guides the workings of the FBI. The best strategy for answering this question is to state the FBI’s mission as it is.
Sample Answer
“The FBI’s mission is to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and to provide leadership and law enforcement assistance to our federal, state, local, tribal, international and private sector partners.”
12. How Do You Handle Stress And Pressure?
The recruiting manager knows that this job can be intense at times. He or she will ask you this question to know whether or not you can handle stress and pressure. The best strategy for responding to this question is to discuss the tools that you use to stay calm when under pressure.
Sample Answer
“I always maintain a work checklist to streamline my work properly. However, in case I find myself under stress, I try to remain calm at work so that I can handle stressful situations with the presence of mind. Additionally. I also avoid getting agitated at work to enable me to handle every task calmly. This helps me to get the right results.”
13. Do You Prefer Working Alone Or As A Team?
FBI works much as a team and that’s why the hiring managers ask this question to find out whether the candidate being interviewed is comfortable with their working culture. The best strategy for responding to this question is to inform the interviewer that you wouldn’t mind working as a team.
Sample Answer
“I am a hardworking person who can work either individually or as a team. However, I believe that the best ideas come forth while working in a team. Therefore, I would prefer working with a team even if I can work individually.”
14. Where Do You See Yourself In The Next Couple Of Years?
This is a common question here at the FBI where the recruiting manager seeks to understand whether or not you are willing to be with the agent for long. The best way to respond to this question is to express your willingness to take up more responsibilities to contribute to the growth of the company.
Sample Answer
“In the next few years, I look forward to holding a managerial role to demonstrate my leadership qualities here at FBI. Additionally, I would like to be more evolved in my career including having improved and gained more skills in this industry. I will be happy if in the next few years I’m referred to as a more intelligent person than I am today.”
15. Which Is Your Perfect Work Environment?
This is a common question asked by the recruiting manager here at the FBI to determine whether or not you can fit in their working environment. The best way to answer this question is to demonstrate that you adapt very fast to a new environment.
Sample Answer
“I like working in an environment where people work towards a single goal like here at FBI. I believe that a perfect work environment is one where other colleagues do not pull down each other’s effort but instead work towards team building.I believe that I will get such an environment here at the FBI so that I can thrive in my roles should I get hired.”
16. What Does The Word “Integrity” Mean To You?
The recruiter asks this question to determine whether or not you have a personal understanding of the concept of integrity. The best strategy for responding to this question is to express what you understand from the word integrity in your own words.
Sample Answer
“In my opinion, integrity means having a consistent character even when there is pressure to compromise. This is what makes a person maintain the same morals in all aspects of his or her life. I always work hard to stay true to my responsibility, trustworthiness, and honesty both in and out of the workplace.”
17. Highlight A Time When A Situation Tested Your Integrity.
The answer you provide for this question will demonstrate that you can handle a difficult situation. The best strategy for responding to this question is to share about a situation that forced you to choose between making an easy decision and the right decision.
Sample Answer
“After college, I struggled to secure a job in my field. There was a high temptation to add false experience or qualifications to my resume. However, I decided to make the right decision and remain true to myself instead of compromising my values. I then continued to make job applications and eventually got a position with a great company.”
18. Do Your Colleagues Consider You As A Trustworthy Person?
Trustworthiness is an important quality in the FBI and answering this question well will give the recruiting manager a reason to believe that you can be trusted. The best strategy for responding to this question is to share about a specific occasion when others put their trust in you in a work-related project.
Sample Answer
“Most of the time in my previous role, my supervisor would allow me to lead a team in a very crucial project even without him monitoring or supervising me. For instance, I recently oversaw and coordinated a very sensitive project with my input alone. The results were good and the client we were working for was happy with the end product. To me, this was an indication that my supervisor had faith in me that I would complete the given task professionally.”
19. What Do You Consider To Be Your Major Weakness?
The FBI recruiting manager asks this question to find out your level of self-awareness. The best strategy of responding to this question is by picking a weakness that will not affect your chances of getting the job.
Sample Answer
“My passion for this work pushes me to take too much workload that makes me work extra hours to ensure that I complete all the tasks in due time. I have realized that this is a weakness since I feel that I often work too hard, and end up burning myself out. I am now focusing on taking more breaks, and lessening the impact of too much work so that I can contribute more.”
20. What Is Your Biggest Strength?
This question helps the recruiting manager to learn about the candidate’s abilities. The best strategy for responding to this question is to share characteristics and skills that directly align with the job you are applying to. While talking about the weaknesses, explain how you are planning to improve on them.
Sample Answer
“My greatest strength is that I’m a master negotiator, self-motivated, fast learner, and a team player. In addition, I have solid people skills. Whatever task I put myself into, I commit myself to it and I diligently complete it.”
Conclusion
The FBI is among the most respected law enforcement agencies in the world. They look for candidates with strong skills. Now that you have read this article, I hope you now understand how to prepare for an FBI interview. Use the provided strategies to answer any question that you are likely to be asked in the interview. Otherwise, if the article was helpful to you, share it with a friend who could be having a similar interview for her or him to prepare for the next job interview.
