MockQuestions

FBI Mock Interview

To help you prepare for an FBI job interview, here are 40 interview questions and answer examples.

FBI was updated by on December 18th, 2022. Learn more here.

Question 33 of 40

What do you know about the FBI and our history?

"I recently read 'A Brief History' on the FBI website and now know quite a great deal around the forming of the FBI. The FBI was founded in 1908 and began with 34 specially trained agents. I look forward to dedicating my career to an organization so focused on protecting and defending our country against crime and corruption."

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How to Answer: What do you know about the FBI and our history?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for an FBI job interview.

  • 33. What do you know about the FBI and our history?

      Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

      It is always important to understand the organization and the history of the organization for which you are interviewing. The FBI has an impressive background and history, which you can find on their website.

      In 1906, Roosevelt appointed Charles Bonaparte as his second Attorney General. Bonaparte quickly learned of the complications associated with rising levels of organized crime. At the time, Bonaparte had a couple of Special Agents who investigated specific situations on his behalf, such as the financial transactions of the federal courts.

      At times, Bonaparte would need to borrow Secret Service operatives, offering him very little control over his investigations. After Congress banned Bonaparte's agents from the Secret Service, he decided to create his own force of investigators.

      Taking nine agents from the Secret Service and another 25 he hired on his own, Bonaparte created a team of 34 agents with a sole mission to conduct investigations for the Department of Justice. July 26, 1908, is the official founding date of the FBI.

      Show the interviewer that you have researched the history of the FBI by giving a short but detailed response.

      Written by Ryan Brown on April 24th, 2022

      Focus Your Answer On

      Focus on keeping your answer short but detailed. Show the interviewer that you have done your research on the formation of the FBI and have a genuine interest in its history. Adding the official founding date, the original mission, and the number of agents shows the interviewer that you have performed in-depth research of the organization.

      Written by Krista Wenz on April 24th, 2022

      What to Avoid

      As with any interview question, you should avoid being unprepared to answer the question. If the interviewer asks you about the history of the FBI, you must have an answer that shows you have done your research. If you do not know the history of the FBI, the interviewer will determine that you are not detail-oriented and do not have the research skills they are looking for in an agent.

      Written by Krista Wenz on April 24th, 2022

      Remember To

      Remember to keep your answer short but detailed. The interviewer does not want to hear a five-minute dissertation of the history of the FBI but rather that you have done your research and know the reason behind the formation of the bureau.

      Written by Krista Wenz on April 24th, 2022

      Entry Level Example

      "I recently read 'A Brief History' on the FBI website and now know quite a great deal around the forming of the FBI. The FBI was founded in 1908 and began with 34 specially trained agents. I look forward to dedicating my career to an organization so focused on protecting and defending our country against crime and corruption."

      Written by Krista Wenz on April 24th, 2022

      Answer Example

      "I know that the FBI is a law enforcement agency that operates under the DoJ. As far as the history of the FBI, I believe the agency was officially founded in July of 1908 after Charles Bonaparte saw the need for investigators dedicated solely to the Department of Justice. The FBI formed after the blessing from Rosevelt, despite the Secret Service and Congress not agreeing on a few matters surrounding the forming of this particular agent troop. I have researched a great deal around the forming of the FBI. It's a fascinating history."

      Written by Ryan Brown on April 24th, 2022

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "The Bureau of Investigation (BOI) was created on July 26, 1908, after Congress had adjourned for the summer. Attorney General Bonaparte, using Department of Justice expense funds, hired thirty-four people, including some veterans of the Secret Service, to work for a new investigative agency. Its first "Chief" (the title is now known as "Director") was Stanley Finch. Bonaparte notified the Congress of these actions in December 1908."

      Krista's Feedback

      Solid answer and a great history lesson!
      Show More Answers