FBI Mock Interview
Master 40 FBI interview questions covering security clearances, investigative scenarios, and ethical judgment.
Question 26 of 40
How do you plan to build relationships with your fellow agents and superiors?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Focus Your Answer On
What to Avoid
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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.
The interviewer would like to know how you plan to start relationships with your new coworkers. Due to various personalities, workplace relationships can take time to form. The interviewer wants to hear how you ensure that you have a strong line of communication with your coworkers and superior officers right from the beginning.
Here are some ideas for getting started on the right foot:
- Be willing to accept feedback and help
- Offer to join a committee or volunteer assistance in some way
- Do not have an air of entitlement or act as though you know the ins and outs immediately
- Avoid company gossip at all costs
- Be early on your first day (and every day after that!)
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
Use past experiences of forming relationships with coworkers, focusing on being sincere and genuinely interested in learning about others. The interviewer wants to hire an agent with excellent interpersonal skills and who works well with others.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
Avoid telling the interviewer that you tend to keep to yourself. The interviewer wants an agent who is more extroverted than introverted and does not have trouble developing relationships with their coworkers and superiors.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
When answering this question, remember to describe yourself as one who understands that everyone is different and that some relationships take time to form. The interviewer wants to hear that you work well with diverse groups of people with different personalities and take the time to get to know your superiors and coworkers.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"I understand that some relationships come quickly, and others take time to nurture. I also understand that people like to talk about themselves. When starting a new job, the best way to create new relationships with others is by asking them about themselves. All I can do is be my true self and let my personality, integrity, and reliability speak for itself. Hopefully, we find common ground and make a quick connection!"
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"I have strong interpersonal skills and am adept at earning the trust of others. Most people will effectively lower their guard once you give them something and willingly reciprocate. So I will offer them something cursory about myself. Something they may find of value, but that is work appropriate. I then remain silent, actively listen, and ensure my memory recall is strong with anything they share. Trust is earned. More often than not, because of my passive objectivity and ability to keep anything personal they share with me close to the chest, those I work with open up quite a bit to me. I over objective and work appropriate advice when I am asked for it, but mostly I listen. In a way, we're always profiling, but I do so passively, and always keep in mind that trust and loyalty are earned and should never be taken for granted."
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Anonymous Answer
I understand every person comes from different and diverse backgrounds with various perspectives that they bring. I would be an open ear to take in what they want to give me, and so I can best get to know them. Then as always, I'll be my true self and ideally make connections and common ground quickly.
Krista's Feedback
Being yourself is one great way to build trust and relationships. It sounds like you embrace diversity which is an excellent point to make when answering this question.
"I understand that people come from diverse backgrounds with various perspectives. I would be an open ear, getting to know my fellow agents and superiors. Then, as always, I'll be my true self, making connections and finding a common ground quickly."
Anonymous Answer
I've worked with people from diverse backgrounds throughout my career. Maintaining my sense of integrity and loyalty has always helped me form strong relationships with others. Also, taking the time to know people on a human level will strengthen my bond with fellow agents and superiors.
Krista's Feedback
Good job folding your past relationship-building success into your answer. It seems you have an approach that many people welcome.
Anonymous Answer
Open and effective communication alongside respect.
Krista's Feedback
These are all incredibly important factors in relationship building. Good answer but try to elaborate more for the interviewer.
Anonymous Answer
I believe the best way to build relationships with anyone is by showing up consistently. Whether it is with my fellow agents or a superior, I look to build great relationships by doing a great job consistently and always receiving feedback well.
Krista's Feedback
Your approach is strong and likely very appreciated by your leaders, co-workers, and peers. When someone can rely on you, trust is built much faster. Good answer!
Anonymous Answer
It's not easy to have one plan as to how you'll build relationships with fellow agents since everybody is different in so many ways. Some people you click with instantly and others take more time. I am a very open and easy-going person and over time these bonds will be developed as they see I am a hard-working and trustworthy person
Krista's Feedback
Good. This question is an opportunity to discuss how you create good working relationships, and using examples of similar situations - starting a new job and making new relationships, perhaps - is a great way to convince the interviewer of your ability to build a good rapport in the workplace.
Anonymous Answer
I plan on learning from them. I will take in any feedback given to me. I am open to positive criticism. I will follow in the footsteps of superiors so that I can become good at what I do. The superiors have been at their job way before me and know more about the work than I do, so I will learn from their experience. With fellow agents, I will work in a polite, cooperative, and friendly manner for them to feel I am easy to work with. Building good rapport is of great importance. I will like for them to know they can trust me.
Krista's Feedback
Great response; I would just suggest changing "positive criticism" to "constructive criticism" as this more closely captures the essence of what you are sharing.
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