CIA Mock Interview
Master 35 CIA interview questions covering security clearances, analytical thinking, and behavioral assessments.
Question 2 of 35
Do you consider yourself a discreet person?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
What to Avoid
Example Answer
Example Answer 2
Community Answers
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
One of the qualities needed to work for the Central Intelligence Agency is being discreet. Depending on the position you are hired for, you may be required to keep your job title a secret from those around you. The CIA does encourage their officers to tell their spouse or domestic partner what they do but advises family members to be very discreet due to the sensitive nature of the job. While CIA officers can tell their family they work for the CIA, they cannot divulge the details of an assignment. The interviewer wants to hear that you consider yourself a discreet person, with an example of how you have been discreet in the past.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
When responding to this question, you want to avoid saying that you do not consider yourself discreet. Due to the sensitive nature of the job, CIA officers must be able to keep top-secret information to themselves. The interviewer needs to be assured that if hired, you will be able to follow their requirements of being discreet.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"Yes, I consider myself a very discreet person. I spent 16 years in the military working in top-secret operations and understand the importance of keeping sensitive information to myself. I could not tell my wife where I was or what I was doing and I still have not told her even after retiring."
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"Yes, I am very discreet. I have worked as a cybersecurity analyst for the past five years and am privy to confidential and sensitive information. I have passed a security clearance and keep the details of my work to myself."
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Anonymous Answer
I do consider myself a very discreet person and due to my previous work experience, I have helped prepare sensitive information that requires utmost privacy and secrecy. I have also signed several NDAs in line with my previous work and am often trusted with private matters due to my trusting and discreet nature. In the simplest of terms, I am good at keeping secrets and understand the necessity for discretion in the world of international security.
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