When we perform background checks on you and your family, what is the worst thing we are going to find?
The FBI conducts extensive background checks, including credit, criminal, and more. You must be honest about whatever they will find. It's always important to be upfront about any infractions that might show up on your or your family's background check. If you don't admit to something dismissed or expunged, it could cost you this opportunity as the FBI has access to deleted records, and they will find out.
Focus on keeping your answer brief but detailed. If you have something you are concerned about, describe what will show up on your background check and the steps you have taken to rectify the situation. If you do not have anything that will show up in your background check, explain that they will not find anything incriminating in your background.
As mentioned before, you should avoid not telling the interviewer about an offense that was dismissed or expunged from your record. The FBI can access all criminal records, even ones that have been deleted. You need to be honest and open with the interviewer, showing that you are trustworthy and admit to mistakes you have made in the past.
When the FBI performs extensive background checks and interviews with family, friends, and colleagues, every minor or major offense will appear. Remember to include any criminal history that you or your family have. If you forget to mention something like this in your interview, the interviewer will think you were trying to cover up the infraction and were not trustworthy.
"I have a clear background check now; however, you may find that I did not always have a good credit rating. I have since fixed my credit and have kept a score of 780 for the past eight years."
"If you dig into my background, you will see that I have a father with a criminal past. He is currently in prison for armed robbery. We have not spoken for the last nine years; however, I must disclose this to you."
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
If you dig in my background, you will find me and my family clean. This is not going to be my first background check. I was already checked through Army National Guard, ROTC Program, and NYPD civilian hiring. Even in my naturalization, I was found clean every time.
Krista's Feedback
Excellent answer! It's great that you have a clean background and have previous checks to further support your response.
Anonymous Answer
I have a clean criminal record. The worst things you will find in my background are a few speeding tickets in high school and early college. While interviewing my family, you will also learn about some emotional and relational trauma we had experienced since my parent's divorce when I was 13 years old.
Krista's Feedback
Your answer is honest and sincere, which is the best approach you can take when answering this question. Be prepared for follow-up questions or assessments depending on your interview stage (i.e., Has this emotional/relational trauma impacted your behavior in any way? or What action steps have you taken to prevent emotional/relational trauma from impacting your life and behavior?).
Anonymous Answer
In 2012 while I was in college, I attended a party. I had just turned 21 years old. It was at this party were several individuals began to yell racist remarks to my friends and me. What started out as yelling become confrontational from the individuals. It was at this moment a physical altercation began. One of the racist subjects struck my head with his closed fist. I defended myself by fighting back. During the fight, the local police department arrived on the scene and arrested everybody involved. I was later charged with disorderly conduct and public intoxication, with the latter being dropped. I was told by the municipal court judge that the disorderly conduct charge would be dismissed by deferred adjudication to which it eventually was. I reflect on the incident and know that situation could have been handled better. Now being in the position I'm in, I reach out to the troubled kids that are in their twenties during community policing and try to be a role model for them by answering any questions that they may have.
Krista's Feedback
This is an excellent example of behaving in a way that wasn't ideal, yet learning from the situation. I like that you take this a step further and describe your work with youth who may be heading in the wrong direction. This is highly admirable. Overall, you provide a great delivery and notable detail in this answer - well done!
Anonymous Answer
When you perform the background check, you will find that I have an uncle who spent time in jail for multiple DWIs, which ended up costing someone their life. I only speak to him once a year, which usually involves him trying to recruit me to play on his softball team.
Krista's Feedback
Good. This comes across as honest and straight-forward.
Anonymous Answer
If you were to look into my background, the worst thing you will find is that I had a misdemeanor petit theft chargeback when I was 19. It was an embarrassment for me and my family, and since then I have worked 3 jobs, had a stellar military career, and received 2 degrees among other positive things.
Krista's Feedback
Your response shows a great deal of honesty and remorse over a youthful error, To strengthen your response, I would suggest explicitly stating that you have learned a lot from this mistake and will not repeat the error.
If you were to look into my background, the worst thing you will find is a misdemeanor petty theft charge from when I was 19. It was a significant mistake and caused embarrassment for me and my family. Since that time, I have successfully worked three jobs, had a stellar military career, received two degrees. and contributed positively to society. I have learned and grown significantly since the time of this charge, and you can rest assured that it is a youthful mistake that I will never repeat.
Unlock all 40 FBI questions
Prepare for rigorous behavioral and situational questions FBI interviewers use.
Get Started