Name three of the CIA's guiding principles.
On the CIA website, they have six guiding principles listed. All employees are guided by these principles, core values, and highest aspirations. The CIA describes these standards, which keep the agency on course to protect the Nation and advance its interests. The six guiding principles are:
- Service
- Integrity
- Excellence
- Courage
- Teamwork
- Stewardship
The interviewer asks you to name three of the CIA's guiding principles to determine if you have thoroughly researched their organization before the interview and see which three resonate the most with you. When you list the three principles of your choosing, describe why those three are the most important to you.
As with any interview question, you want to avoid being unprepared to answer this question. If you cannot name three of the CIA's guiding principles, it shows the interviewer that you did not adequately research the agency and lack attention to detail.
"I strongly believe in all six of your guiding principles, but the three that resonated the most with me are teamwork, courage, and service. Working in law enforcement for the past 12 years, these principles have guided me in my profession. I could not do my job without the collaboration and teamwork of others or a lack of courage. And as it is with the CIA, I always put the community and fellow officers before myself."
"The three guiding principles that stand out the most for me are integrity, excellence, and teamwork. I believe in upholding the highest standard of conduct, working with diverse backgrounds and expertise, and collaborating with others to reach a common goal."
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