What do you know about the FBI and our history?
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
"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."
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
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!
Anonymous Answer
The FBI was founded in 1908 when Pres. Roosevelt wanted to establish an elite force of detectives to investigate high-level crimes plaguing the US at the time. He charged Charles Bonaparte with heading up this task force, and thus the FBI was born.
Krista's Feedback
It's evident that you understand the FBI's history and foundation - to the point and clear.
Anonymous Answer
The FBI was created July 26th, 1908 after Charles Bonaparte was approved to do so by President Roosevelt. It consisted of 34 agents (some of whom coming from secret service) and was tasked with investigating scenarios for the Department of Justice. It is amazing how far the agency has come, and I hope to be able to uphold that legacy in my own work.
Krista's Feedback
Very good. You're showing good research skills. Can you expand? This will help show the interviewer that you're familiar with the organization and prepared for a role within it.
Anonymous Answer
I learned that the Bureau of Investigation was created on July 26, 1908, by Charles Bonaparte under the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, after the president was denied the use of Secret Service Agents by Congress. J. Edgar Hoover became director in 1924 and served that role until his death in 1972. In 1935, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was born after Congress warranted the carrying of guns and making arrests.
Krista's Feedback
Excellent response! It's clear that you've done your research on the FBI's history.
Anonymous Answer
The FBI came to be in 1980. There were 34 agents on the first team. There was a trio team of the first law enforcement agents who were women.
Krista's Feedback
I don't believe this is correct and you should brush up a bit on your FBI history prior to your interview. Interviewers ask this type of question because they want to be confident that you have done adequate research and truly understand the organization.
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