FBI

I now have a green check mark next to "Complete Background" in the Portal. Anyone know if this means I should be expecting "the call"?

In theory 2-4 weeks before the class I believe, but not 100 percent on that. Technically I don't think the rosters have been chosen yet, so anything is possible I guess.

Congrats! When did background officially start for you? I’m trying to gauge how long it took (I know, I know. It varies person to person and FO to FO)

Honestly, treat it like a performance, because that is what it is. I was a performer for many years and I always found the way to perform at peak level was to over-prepare. To that end, my method was as follows. I hope it helps you in some way:

1. Find a bunch of behavioral/situational interview questions online (there are lots of lists)--Get a list of about 50-100.
2. Memorize the FBI core competencies (see the FBI's website)
3. Make a list of about 20-25 stories initially that could be used to answer various types of questions that you got from step one. Focus on answering questions that have to do with the core competencies (this may seem tough, but keep in mind that something that may have seemed insignificant years ago may serve as a great story for this purpose because it demonstrates one or more core competencies well).
4. Run through the stories and match them with the core competencies and situational/behavioral questions for which they work best.
5. Closer to the interview, wittle down the number of questions and stories you focus on and learn to adapt the same story to multiple core competencies by emphasizing different parts of the story.
6. Now that you have memorized most parts of your stories, write one sentence per story that will jog your memory and memorize it to prompt yourself when needed to answer a question to help with recall.
7. Fit everything you intend to remember for the interview on one flash card (front and back).
8. Ask someone you trust to ask you random questions from your collection with a list of the core competencies, and have them critique your answers.
9. Run through your stories over and over until you can recall the full list of them. This is important because if you can't even remember what the stories are that you prepared (and you'll be nervous, so it could happen), you will have a tough time.
10. On test day, give yourself every advantage (go to sleep on time the night before, leave early so you don't have to rush and can relax, etc.). Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are fully prepared and if you fail it is not for lack of preparation. There is no excuse for failure because you did everything in your power to prepare (and if you didn't then, frankly, you don't want it enough to deserve to be hired anyway).

Note: don't worry so much about the time limit as about being succinct and hitting the points you want to demonstrate fit with the core competencies and FBI's mission (also, know the FBI's mission). Long-winded answers are bad, and you should have cut out unnecessary details from your stories long before test day.

Also Note: on test day, make it easy for the interviewers to pass you, because they are on your side--they want you to succeed. So in your answers, it may help to strongly hint at the core competencies you believe any given story demonstrates when responding to their questions. Imagine you are them and had to take notes on the things you are telling them. It would really help if the interviewee made clear to you what the most relelvant parts of the story are in an obvious (but tactful) way. This is also another reason to cut superfluous details out of your stories--it just makes life easier for the interviewers if your story is clear and succinct.


I kind of went overboard in my response, but this was how I prepared in as much detail as I can remember, and it worked out. Not only that, I felt as relaxed as I could have expected because I was confident I was prepared. I don't think anything like this exists on this threat, so I hope it at least gives those up for the P2 interview so ideas on how to prepare themselves.

My background started in August/September and I also just got cleared this week. I was told by my field office that my BI was pretty straightforward when I handed in my SF-86; she could tell simply based on the number of pages in my packet.

For people who have competed their BI: did they contact all the relatives and former neighbors at all past addresses listed on your SF-86? What about your foreign contacts? Just trying to find more ways to gauge my progress.

Honestly, treat it like a performance, because that is what it is. I was a performer for many years and I always found the way to perform at peak level was to over-prepare. To that end, my method was as follows. I hope it helps you in some way:

1. Find a bunch of behavioral/situational interview questions online (there are lots of lists)--Get a list of about 50-100.
2. Memorize the FBI core competencies (see the FBI's website)
3. Make a list of about 20-25 stories initially that could be used to answer various types of questions that you got from step one. Focus on answering questions that have to do with the core competencies (this may seem tough, but keep in mind that something that may have seemed insignificant years ago may serve as a great story for this purpose because it demonstrates one or more core competencies well).
4. Run through the stories and match them with the core competencies and situational/behavioral questions for which they work best.
5. Closer to the interview, wittle down the number of questions and stories you focus on and learn to adapt the same story to multiple core competencies by emphasizing different parts of the story.
6. Now that you have memorized most parts of your stories, write one sentence per story that will jog your memory and memorize it to prompt yourself when needed to answer a question to help with recall.
7. Fit everything you intend to remember for the interview on one flash card (front and back).
8. Ask someone you trust to ask you random questions from your collection with a list of the core competencies, and have them critique your answers.
9. Run through your stories over and over until you can recall the full list of them. This is important because if you can't even remember what the stories are that you prepared (and you'll be nervous, so it could happen), you will have a tough time.
10. On test day, give yourself every advantage (go to sleep on time the night before, leave early so you don't have to rush and can relax, etc.). Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are fully prepared and if you fail it is not for lack of preparation. There is no excuse for failure because you did everything in your power to prepare (and if you didn't then, frankly, you don't want it enough to deserve to be hired anyway).

Note: don't worry so much about the time limit as about being succinct and hitting the points you want to demonstrate fit with the core competencies and FBI's mission (also, know the FBI's mission). Long-winded answers are bad, and you should have cut out unnecessary details from your stories long before test day.

Also Note: on test day, make it easy for the interviewers to pass you, because they are on your side--they want you to succeed. So in your answers, it may help to strongly hint at the core competencies you believe any given story demonstrates when responding to their questions. Imagine you are them and had to take notes on the things you are telling them. It would really help if the interviewee made clear to you what the most relelvant parts of the story are in an obvious (but tactful) way. This is also another reason to cut superfluous details out of your stories--it just makes life easier for the interviewers if your story is clear and succinct.


I kind of went overboard in my response, but this was how I prepared in as much detail as I can remember, and it worked out. Not only that, I felt as relaxed as I could have expected because I was confident I was prepared. I don't think anything like this exists on this threat, so I hope it at least gives those up for the P2 interview so ideas on how to prepare themselves.

I am currently in background for the 2021 Collegiate Hiring Initiative, but am considering applying for Special Agent.
Trying to weigh the pros and cons.

Does anyone have experience in switching from a non agent track to agent track while still in background?
Are you able to use passing polygraph/drug/fingerprints and background investigation and transfer it over to an agent application?

I am worried that I am going to get through background and there isn't going to be a Collegiate position available for me, so I want to explore all my options. I don't want all of this work to have been done in vain.


For background:
I got a CJO in December 2020
SF86 / Initial Interview January 2021
Poly May 2021
Drugs/Fingerprints May 2021
Background ongoing? as of September 2021

I appreciate any insight!

Anyone know if you can get put on a roster without having passed the PFT yet? I’m hoping to get December and my PFT is in a week.