FBI Mock Interview
Master 40 FBI interview questions covering security clearances, investigative scenarios, and ethical judgment.
Question 4 of 40
Have you ever stolen anything?
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What to Avoid
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Entry Level
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Community Answers
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
If you have managed to steal hundreds or thousands of dollars and somehow landed an interview with the FBI, we would be surprised! This question tests your integrity, and you have to be 100% honest. If you have ever stolen something, your actions cannot be justified, but explaining the situation might help. You want to prove that you are trustworthy with money or anything else of value. The FBI can only hire people they can trust.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
Hopefully, you have never stolen anything, and you can focus your answer on your honesty, trustworthiness, morals, and integrity. If you have stolen something in your life, focus your answer on why you stole that item and what you learned from your experience. Suppose you were young and had a momentary lapse in judgment. In that case, the interviewer may understand the situation and not disqualify you from advancing further in the hiring process because of it.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
Avoid being dishonest in your response. If you have stolen something in the past, admit what happened and own up to your mistake. The FBI will find out during your background check or polygraph, and you will not be considered as a candidate if you lie in your interview.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
When responding to this question, remember to make your answer brief. If you have stolen something, briefly describe the situation, the outcome, and what you learned from that experience. If you have not stolen in the past, briefly describe how you have morals and integrity and never steal from anyone.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"Besides the pack of gum I stole from the neighborhood convenience store when I was a kid, I have not stolen anything in my life. I was four years old and felt so guilty that I went back the next day and told the owner what I did and gave them money for the gum. I was raised in a strict environment and, as an adult, have never wavered from those values."
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"I don't steal and have been told that I am honest to a fault. Since I was about 12 years old, my dream was to be an agent in the FBI. Because of this, I've always made decisions following a moral code of ethics that aligned with this pursuit. In school, some of the other kids would call me a narc for being so law-abiding. I've since learned to use discretion where needed, choosing my battles and having a clearer sense of what winning looks like. But my character instructs me to promote decency in others, and always encourage them to do the right thing. My ideals and values are constructed around integrity, ethics, and a willingness to support the agency any way I can, when my road finally leads me to the doors of the FBI."
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Anonymous Answer
I was raised in a strict family environment that doesn't tolerate unethical behavior; therefore, honesty and integrity are at the core of everything I do. But I recall when I was about eight years old, I was a part of a group of boys who sneaked into a neighbor's garden and took some fruits without permission from the owner. We were caught, and my family made sure to punish me, I never repeated the same mistake, again.
Krista's Feedback
It was a memorable lesson for you. I am sure! It's good that you reinforce the fact that you were raised with such high ethical standards. Good response!
Anonymous Answer
No, I would never compromise my integrity.
Krista's Feedback
To the point, good! To increase the value of your answer, give an example of when you have demonstrated your integrity.
Anonymous Answer
No, I never compromise my integrity. Since my childhood, with anything I needed, I either earned it or I asked for it. If my parent couldn't manage to give me something, they provided me some alternative.
Krista's Feedback
Great! Providing some detail on your family is a nice touch as it allows the interviewer to get to know you on a deeper level. I've offered a slight change below to help you strengthen the response and improve the flow.
"No, I would never steal as that would compromise my integrity. As a child, anything I needed, I either earned or asked for it. If my parents couldn't manage to provide me with what I asked for, they would provide an alternative. My parents' approach taught me that I do not always get what I want right away and that it's important to work and plan for my needs and wants."
Anonymous Answer
When I was 5 years old, I was in a sporting goods store with my dad. I was walking down an aisle and saw a yellow ping pong ball rolling on the ground, so of course, I picked it and put it in my pocket because I thought it was cool. Later after we left the store and got in my dad's truck, I pulled it out of my pocket to show him. He immediately stopped the car, lectured me on how it was wrong to steal and had me go inside and return the ball with an apology. That is one of the most memorable experiences of my childhood, and since then, I have never stolen anything in my life.
Krista's Feedback
What a memorable story, and it's wonderful that this lesson stuck with you into adulthood. Going back in to apologize (especially when you didn't realize what you did was wrong at first) was a good lesson on integrity. [My son did this at the grocery store with a can of Alpha-getti when he was a toddler lol - It was really embarrassing to have to bring that back]
Anonymous Answer
Never. I would not compromise my integrity with a foolish act. Coming from a law enforcement family, my parents raised me and my siblings with high morals.
Krista's Feedback
Strong response! Growing up in a law enforcement family will certainly come with benefits as you pursue a career with the FBI. It seems you were raised to have very high standards for yourself.
Anonymous Answer
Yes. When I was 19, I was caught taking DVD's at a local Wal-Mart. There are no excuses for my actions. I learned from my mistake and the embarrassment that it caused me. But I have done nothing but great things ever since. I've earned two degrees and have had a successful career in the Navy.
Krista's Feedback
Your response shows honesty and personal growth. To strengthen your response, you could consider closing out your answer by assuring your interviewers that they can rest assured that this type of behavior will never happen again.
Anonymous Answer
Not on purpose. I once went to the store to buy me and my brother Xbox controllers. On the way out of Walmart after getting all the other groceries and items I checked the receipt and saw I was only charged for one. I didn't say anything to my mom that night but couldn't sleep because I felt so guilty. I told my mom in the morning and she told me that what I did was illegal and to remember the feeling I had that night. From that day forward I have never stolen something again.
Krista's Feedback
Great. You're honestly answering the question with a good example.
Anonymous Answer
I have not but I believe I did take chalk from class once as a child. I remember the pink color attracted me and I decided to take one home. I told my sister about it and she had me put it back in class the next day. My parents told me I cannot take anything without asking. They taught me the importance of asking and stated I could have simply asked them for it. I apologized and the next day they took me to buy a whole box of chalk.
Krista's Feedback
Great response! This highlights your integrity and the values that were instilled in you as a child. The chalk example is innocent enough to be well received as a response to this type of question!
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