FBI Intelligence Analyst Mock Interview
Master 35 FBI Intelligence Analyst interview questions covering analytical reasoning, security clearances, and threat assessment.
Question 34 of 35
If your supervisor asked you to do something in a way you were not familiar with, how would you respond?
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.
The interviewer asks this question to see if you will speak up and ask for clarification when needed. Asking questions about a task you are unfamiliar with shows humility and excellent communication skills. If you do not ask questions about a task you are not familiar with, you might do the task incorrectly, costing the bureau time and money. Explain how you would communicate with your supervisor and ask for clarification and guidance.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
When responding to this question, avoid saying that you would try to figure it out on your own or do the task in a way that is different from your supervisor's orders. If you are unwilling to ask for help and learn new things, the interview panel may think you do not work well with a team, have humility, or communicate well.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"If my supervisor asked me to do something in a way that I was not familiar with, I would speak up and tell them that I did not know how to do the task in the manner they are looking for. I would ask if they could show me how to do the job or assign someone to teach me. I am not afraid to speak up and ask for help or clarification when needed."
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"I do not like to do things incorrectly and have to go back and fix them. If my supervisor asked me to do something I was unfamiliar with, I would explain that I do not know how to do that and would like to learn. I would ask if they could show me how they wanted the task performed or if there was a training manual I could refer to."
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Anonymous Answer
I'm not afraid to learn new and more efficient ways of doing things. I'm also not afraid of admitting my faults and lack of familiarity with something. If I am unfamiliar with something, I make sure to ask questions so I can do the task to the best of my abilities. Softball was my main sport growing up. In order to improve, I enrolled in multiple summer camps. There were many times when I was taught a different batting stance, pitching stance or a better way to play a position like adding diving into my defense but honestly, the thought of diving face-first into the ground terrified me. I never wanted to learn and to me, it was unnecessary because I was quick enough without it. But one summer, the instructor was relentless until every one of us could do it. So I finally learned how and it did make me a better player.
Marcie's Feedback
Great! The interviewer will be happy to hear that you like to learn new things and are open to asking questions.
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