FBI Mock Interview

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

Question 2 of 40

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

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Community Answers

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

The FBI will expect you to always keep up to date on changes in law enforcement, and today's technology makes this reasonably easy! List several ways that you receive your industry knowledge and trending topics. Tell the interviewer about those daily update emails you receive from law enforcement organizations, conferences you attend, seminars you have taken, and professional organizations you belong to.

In case you didn't know, the FBI currently has four podcasts:

- FBI This Week
- Wanted By The FBI
- Inside the FBI
- FBI Gotcha

Bonus points if you mention that you listen to these! Lastly, it's a great idea to ask the interviewer what resources they refer to for industry trends. That question can start up a great conversation, and you may learn a thing or two as well.

Krista Wenz

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

Focus your answer on information the FBI puts out, such as its podcasts or YouTube channel. When you keep your knowledge current by following the FBI, it shows your interest in and dedication to the bureau. You can include other ways you stay current, such as online blogs or law enforcement magazines, but be sure to include information from the FBI.

Krista Wenz

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

Avoid saying that you do not keep your knowledge of changes in law enforcement current. Technology is constantly evolving, and it is your responsibility to stay on top of the trends. Besides the FBI podcasts and YouTube channels, there are many online resources that you could follow, such as blogs, websites, and news sources. It is easier than ever to stay current on changes and trends in law enforcement.

Krista Wenz

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

To make you stand out to the interviewer, remember to mention podcasts you follow that the FBI puts out. Showing the interviewer that you value the information you receive from the FBI shows you have done your research and are learning all you can about the FBI and how they operate.

Krista Wenz

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

"It's a dream of mine to join the FBI, and I am pleased to say that I am a regular listener to all four of the FBI blogs. I also follow many accounts on Twitter associated with law enforcement news. If you have any recommendations for me, I am open to suggestions."

Krista Wenz

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

"Every morning, I listen to the FBI podcast, 'Gotcha' because I find it incredibly valuable to listen to stories of how the FBI has succeeded in catching a criminal. I value the information shared among fellow agents. In addition to this podcast, I also subscribe to a couple of industry blogs. One is FBI Retired, and the other is LawBlog. What resources do you prefer to stay on top of industry trends and changes?"

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Anonymous Answer

I like to stay up to date with all current events, which include changes in law enforcement. I recently started following the FBI on social media and visit the website for new updates daily.

Krista's Feedback

The interviewer should appreciate that you follow the FBI on social media and online. This is a smart step to take and will provide you with a lot of helpful information as you begin your career in law enforcement.

Anonymous Answer

I am always reading on the go. A considerable part of my daily activity is commuting, and I always have an article pulled up on my phone when I'm on the train or a podcast playing in my ears as I am walking throughout the city.

Krista's Feedback

Aren't podcasts the best! Be sure to include some detail on what shows you tune into. You can even speak for a moment on something interesting and relevant that you learned recently.

Anonymous Answer

I read a lot of news and am a big fan of the FBI's "Inside the FBI" podcast. I look forward to listening every time a new episode is released!

Krista's Feedback

This sounds like a great resource for you. If you'd like to make your answer even more compelling, consider including brief details of a recent episode and one of your biggest takeaways.

Anonymous Answer

Aside from reading and watching the news, I enroll in yearly law updates at the local community college. Even though the law updates are part of my current job it is still extremely valuable to be updated in our current events and knowledgeable on statutes at all levels of justice.

Krista's Feedback

Great idea! This further education will be highly beneficial as you grow in your career with the FBI.

Anonymous Answer

To keep my knowledge current, I like to google and read up on any big law enforcement news around the country, as well as local news. I listen to two different podcasts daily: "FBI retired" with Jerri Williams and "Inside the FBI". This gives me an inside look into what to expect with a career as a special agent and the different joys and/or sorrows it may bring.

Krista's Feedback

Excellent response; you do a great job of explaining how you keep up-to-date on ongoing changes in law enforcement.

Anonymous Answer

I follow the FBI, Homeland Security, and other law enforcement agencies on social media. I also check the FBI website to see if there are any updates.

Krista's Feedback

Good start. Tell the interviewer what you have learned lately and it will help you demonstrate your claim that you stay current on changes in law enforcement.

Anonymous Answer

I listen to local news channels, such as CBS Chicago. I had my house aired on it recently after the snowstorm and ever since then I have their app downloaded onto my phone. That helps me stay up today with news every hour of the day. I also read a lot of cases and articles online.

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

Technical

FBI Mock Interview

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

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?