FBI Mock Interview

Master 40 FBI interview questions covering security clearances, investigative scenarios, and ethical judgment.

Question 11 of 40

Why do you want to work for the FBI?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Focus Your Answer On
What to Avoid
Remember To
Experienced 1
Experienced 2
Entry Level
Community Answers

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.

Many FBI agents say they knew they wanted to be an agent from a young age. Others decide to work in the FBI after spending time as a municipal police officer or in another law enforcement role. No matter what got you here, the interviewer would like to know that you have an innate sense of justice and a passion for supporting the greater good.

Krista Wenz

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.

The interviewer wants to hear that you want a career in the FBI for the right reasons and that your motivation aligns with the bureau's. Focus your answer to coordinate with the FBI's mission statement, which is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Krista Wenz

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 giving a response that does not fit the FBI's priorities. The top priorities for the FBI include the following:

- Protect the United States from terrorist attacks
- Combat public corruption at all levels
- Protect civil rights
- Protect the United States against foreign intelligence operations, espionage, and cyber operations

If you respond with a different reason for wanting a career in the FBI, the interviewer may not feel you are the best person for the job.

Krista Wenz

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.

Of course, you will have your personal reasons for wanting a career in the FBI. Still, you should add a few of the top priorities for the FBI in your response, showing that you share the same values as the bureau.

Krista Wenz

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.

"After spending seven years as a police officer, I started seeking something bigger with more robust challenges and varied cases. I was approached by a friend who has been an FBI agent for many years, and his description of his career was precisely what I was seeking. I want to make a bigger difference for my country and the American people by serving a broader range of cases while upholding the Constitution of the United States."

Krista Wenz

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.

"I have known since I was a child that I wanted a career in the FBI. My grandfather was an FBI agent, as was my father, making me a third-generation law enforcement officer. My passion for helping others to find justice, serving my country, protecting the American people, and upholding the Constitution of the United States is what motivated me to apply to the bureau."

Kevin Downey

Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.

"When I first enrolled in college, I wasn't sure what direction I wanted to take my career, but considered exploring criminal justice. Then I read the book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit, by John E. Douglas. This prompted me to take a course on criminal psychology and profiling. This sparked my interest in pursuing a career with the FBI. I wanted to continue my education, and received a partial scholarship, but decided to enroll in the Naval Officer's Program and they paid for my continued education. In the Navy, I served as Master at Arms. Now, having earned my Master's Degree, I feel uniquely poised to finally pursue my long held ambition to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

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Anonymous Answer

Ever since I graduated high school and had to seriously consider my future, all path lead towards public service in one way or another. Early on it was military or firefighting aspirations but as my college years progressed and skills harnessed, my paths manifested the best in deductive reasoning, a sense of justice and the betterment of people, and there's no other agency like the FBI that can impart that.

Krista's Feedback

You do a very good job bringing your path to life, for the interviewer. Good response!

"Ever since graduating high school and having to consider my future seriously, all paths led towards public service in one way or another. Early on, it was military or firefighting aspirations, but as my college years progressed and my skills improved, my desired path manifested to a sense of justice and the betterment of people. There is no other agency like the FBI where I can fulfill those personal and professional desires."

Anonymous Answer

I have no law enforcement background but have always had a strong leaning towards doing what is just and what is right. My natural inquisitive nature, coupled with a science background, gives me a very systematic approach to how I tackle problems. Having a career in the FBI would allow me to use my personal, professional, and educational experiences to contribute to the FBI's mission and overall efforts. I've always wanted a career where I feel like I'm contributing to the greater good.

Krista's Feedback

This is a nice and honest answer. You pull in some of the core values of the FBI while describing the ways that your qualities, educational background, and work ethic would benefit the organization.

Anonymous Answer

I was introduced to cybersecurity at a conference a few years ago. I pursued an education in that field and continued to attend training and conferences. There were always FBI agents that sat on the panel and spoke on their roles as agents, particularly their role in regards to cybercrime. That solidified my decision to apply for the FBI. They spoke of the position as being a culture, and not just a job; I want to be apart of that culture.

Krista's Feedback

This response is excellent! You are showing your interest and dedication in joining the FBI. The fact that you have already taken steps (further education) to be a prime candidate is impressive.

Anonymous Answer

Since I was young, I knew I wanted to be apart of something bigger than myself. After 20 years in the military, the FBI gives me a chance to continue the mission of serving and protecting the United States.

Krista's Feedback

To the point - I like it! If possible, try expanding a bit on your military focus over the past 20 years.

Anonymous Answer

I have been contemplating a career in counter-terrorism and thinking of ways to help protect this great country shortly after 9/11. Hence, I was once in contact with an Air Force recruiter after High School and expressed interest in being an Arabic language analyst, but my family recommended that I finish college first. At this moment, the FBI is the perfect organization for me to apply my passion for justice and equality and play a part in protecting America.

Krista's Feedback

Your answer is clear and shows a strong history of desiring a career related to justice and service. Well done!

Anonymous Answer

I am driven to make a difference for this country, and the world for that matter. I would like to use my skills to do good and to bring those that have done wrong to justice. I think there is no better way to accomplish this goal than to work for law enforcement. I would like to be a key member of the Bureau. Ever since I changed my major to Criminal Justice, I have had a desire to work for the best.

Krista's Feedback

This response illustrates your drive and specific interest in the FBI. To round out your response, you should consider incorporating some of your characteristics or skill sets that would make a great match for the FBI's needs. While the interviewers are asking why you want a career with the FBI, the underlying question is also, why are you the right individual for this opportunity?

Anonymous Answer

From a young age, I knew I wanted to help people. My little league coach and a family friend talked about how he served in the coast guard and how amazing of an experience it was. He mentioned how great it felt to help people and to know that you were making a difference by keeping people safe, even if they didn't know it. He also spoke about how it felt like a culture being in the Coast Guard. My parents decided to push me towards the college route instead. I happened to see an event about different law enforcement agencies coming to talk. I decided to sit in and I heard the representative for the FBI speak about how they serve and protect people from serious threats and how it felt like a "culture" instead of just another job. I immediately knew I wanted to work for the FBI from that moment forward.

39.What is the FBI's policy on using informants?

Technical

FBI Mock Interview

Why do you want to work for the FBI?

40FBI Interview Questions & Answers

1.How will you handle the inevitable stress and pressure that comes with working for the FBI?

2.With the ongoing changes in law enforcement, how do you keep your knowledge current?

3.Would you object to being relocated as a field agent in a remote area?

4.Have you ever stolen anything?

5.Would you lie to a friend? What if it was for their own benefit?

6.When we perform background checks on you and your family, what is the worst thing we are going to find?

7.Have you ever used illicit drugs?

8.Why are you pursuing a career with the FBI?

9.In your early career, before becoming an officer, did you exhibit great integrity at work?

10.When have you gone above and beyond the call of duty for another individual?

11.Why do you want to work for the FBI?

12.What are your top three strengths, and how will they benefit the FBI?

13.What is your greatest weakness?

14.The FBI hires less than 5% of our applicants. Why should we choose you?

15.Tell me about an achievement you are proud of. What skills did you use to achieve this goal?

16.Where do you see yourself in five years?

17.What do you do to keep in top physical shape?

18.This concludes our interview. Do you have any questions for the panel?

19.Do you consider yourself a patient person? How do you increase your patience level in challenging situations?

20.What do you like to do in your free time?

21.How did you hear about this position?

22.Tell me about your leadership qualities.

23.Do you demonstrate leadership qualities even when you are not in a leadership role?

24.Do you consider yourself a persuasive person?

25.How do you prevent stress from your personal life entering your professional life?

26.How do you plan to build relationships with your fellow agents and superiors?

27.How do you handle a situation where your superior does not properly communicate information to you?

28.Tell me about a time you failed to solve a case. How did you overcome the perceived failure?

29.Discuss a time your morals were questioned.

30.How do you deal with conflict on your team?

31.What advice would you give to a fellow FBI agent who was showing signs of PTSD?

32.What is the mission of the FBI?

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

34.What is the FBI's policy on the use of deadly force by its Special Agents?

35.Tell me how the FBI differs from the CIA.

36.What kind of training do Special Agents go through when hired?

37.How many branches make up the U.S. Federal Government, and what are their names?

38.Who is the head of the FBI?

39.What is the FBI's policy on using informants?

40.Who monitors and oversees the FBI?