In what area do you consider yourself a subject matter expert?
The FBI Intelligence Analyst Candidate information packet on the FBI website lists 'Backgrounds of Interest' and 'Work Experience and/or Areas of Study.' Each position requires unique subject matter expertise. The interview panel wants to see in which area you feel you are a subject matter expert to help them determine where they might place you of hired. The following is a partial list of Work Experiences and/or Areas of Study from the website:
- Cybersecurity
- Criminal Justice
- Bioterrorism
- Area Studies (Middle East, Asia, Africa, China, Far East)
- Forensic Accounting
- History
- International Law
Since this is only a small portion listed on the FBI website, it is best to review the information packet and choose which area(s) you consider yourself a subject matter expert in before your interview.
Avoid not having a response formulated for this question. You should sound confident in your skills and abilities when you tell the interviewer the area you consider yourself a subject matter expert. If you are an expert in more than one area, be sure to mention that in your response. If you cannot tell the interviewer your area of specialty, they will not be convinced you are the best candidate for the FBI.
"After reviewing your candidate information packet and the list of work experience and areas of study, I consider myself a subject matter expert in criminal justice. I have a Master's in Criminal Justice and have worked in law enforcement for 25 years. I also worked as an adjunct instructor teaching criminal justice courses for 13 years and am an expert in all aspects of the criminal justice system."
"I am a subject matter expert in area studies in the Middle East and cybersecurity. For the past ten years, I worked as a cybersecurity analyst in Dubai and studied Middle Eastern cultures and civilizations in college. I have always been interested in the Middle East culture as my grandfather's side of the family is from Yemen."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I have a bachelor's degree in International Affairs with a concentration in Diplomatic and International Services. Because of how diverse this major is, I made sure to take courses that focused on different regions and continents to diversify my knowledge. Kennesaw State University has a program where special classes, activities, and trips are focused on one specific country each year. 2019 was the Year of Morocco. Through that program I took a Morocco focused class that included an excursion to Morocco. And prior to that, Morocco was my country of study in my Politics of the Middle East class and Model African Union. But despite this, I would say that I mainly focused on East Asia, specifically South Korea. I also took Korean language classes and participated in cultural activities at Kennesaw State University and Soongsil University in Seoul, South Korea where I spent a year studying abroad.
Marcie's Feedback
Neat! You have an eclectic and interesting educational background that will undoubtedly impress any interviewer. But don't forget to specify what area you consider yourself to be a subject matter expert in - international affairs? East Asia? South Korea? Morocco? Try to pick one or a broad umbrella term that covers them all and commit to it. Great job!
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