How to Answer: Transportation Security Administration includes 'integrity' in its core values. Talk about a time you acted with integrity.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a TSA Screener job interview.
23. Transportation Security Administration includes 'integrity' in its core values. Talk about a time you acted with integrity.
What You Need to Know
Integrity is a core value of the Transportation Security Administration and the cornerstone of its mission. The TSA looks for Screeners who embody integrity by committing to making the right decision at all times, including reporting any breach of integrity ever observed.
Integrity means possessing 'the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.' The TSA wants to see how you have exercised integrity in your work and personal life.
First, talk about what integrity means to you. Then, offer an example of a time you faced the temptation to do the wrong thing when nobody was looking. What made you do the right thing in the end, and how did it make you feel?
To organize your answer, use the STAR method, which is a beneficial approach when answering behavioral-based interview questions. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result, and it can help you to frame and organize your response in a way that will resonate with your interviewer.
Written by Rachelle Enns on June 23rd, 2020
Entry Level Example
"My definition of integrity is to choose to do the right thing, even when nobody is looking. I possess your core value of integrity because I do what is right, no matter the alternatives. (Situation) When earning my diploma in Criminology, I received a higher grade on my transcript than I earned. (Task) I am an honest person and knew it was up to me to report the error. (Action) I brought the error to the attention of my administrator, who then had the grade reversed. I could have taken credit, but in the end, I didn't earn that grade. I was determined to start my career off on the right foot, which is through complete honesty. (Result) Today, I can attend this interview with the TSA knowing full well that I earned this meeting through hard work and acts of total integrity."
Written by Rachelle Enns on June 23rd, 2020
Experienced Example
"Integrity is a core value, and I know TSA lists integrity as one of its core values. I would have no issue living up to TSA's established guiding principles and standards of conduct. Everyone is accountable for their actions and inactions. I am ever conscious of this. Anytime I have witnessed or been invited to participate in unethical conduct, I have declined. Anytime I was invited to remain silent and look the other way, I also declined. In those instances, I've invited them to rethink their actions, suggested they admit to their misconduct, and conduct themselves with integrity moving forward. If they choose to continue on their ill-advised course of action, I inform them it leaves me with no choice but to report their behavior to the proper authorities. As I see it, if they involve me, and ask me to betray myself and my values, then any consequences to their actions belong to them, and them alone."
Written by Kevin Downey on December 28th, 2022
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