Sharpen These Skills to Improve Your FBI Application

Competitive salaries, robust insurance coverage, prestige and status, makes a career in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) a desirable career choice. For these reasons, applicants should be prepared to focus on demonstrating their core skills and professional attributes throughout the application process. Learn more about what the Tulane School of Professional Advancement (Tulane SoPA) recommends for the best ways to properly prepare for a career in the FBI.

Remember the Minimum Requirements

No matter your background, there are a few minimum requirements that you must meet in order to pursue a career in the federal government. The FBI happens to have additional requirements. For a basic role in the FBI, you must:

• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be between the ages of 23 and 36
• Have, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, and
• Have a driver's license

Hone Your Core Skills

The application process is highly competitive with fewer than 20 percent of applicants landing jobs within the FBI. Applicants often start the process through one of the FBI's entry programs, which vary in difficulty and structure and depends on the specific track each applicant decides to pursue. Some FBI applicants may be more interested in computers and technology, federal law, and accounting, so it is important that applicants tailor their preparation to meet the minimum requirements of the programs they are most interested in. Regardless of your interests, your FBI application process will likely include:

• Background checks
• Written tests
• Knowledge tests
• Competency tests, and
• Intense physical exams

While your desired path within the FBI may be unique, the Bureau seeks out certain core competencies and skills in new applicants at every level.

Collaboration

In order for the FBI to effectively do its job, all federal employees must be equipped to share knowledge and work as a team with many different organizations. That's why the FBI places a premium on every applicant's ability to collaborate with others. If you have previous experience working as a team or even as a member of the military, be sure to prioritize that information during your application process.

Communication

The ability to communicate seamlessly with a variety of people, both verbally and in writing, is essential for every FBI employee. No matter the audience or context, FBI agents should be equipped to listen attentively, persuade others, and communicate using advanced problem-solving and reasoning skills.

Flexibility

Not unlike working in the military, a job in the FBI can come with varying and often unexpected responsibilities, work locations, and degrees of intensity, depending on the tasks at hand. Challenges may arise in just a few minutes, so agents and other FBI employees need to be prepared to tactfully and quickly respond to complex situations of all types.

Organization

Perhaps the most sophisticated and influential investigative group in the world, the FBI necessitates strong organizational skills in its applicants. On a daily or even hourly basis, FBI agents and employees must be able to determine priorities, draft strategic steps toward achieving goals, and carry out a workable plan of action.

Leadership

While working for the FBI, your role will require inspiring and motivating others through human-oriented authority. Gaining the trust of team members, leading by example, and acting as a mentor to inspire confidence in others are all pillars of great leadership that help boost team efficacy.

Pursue Your Career in the FBI With a Degree From Tulane SoPA

As an employee of the FBI, you may be expected to tackle cybersecurity threats, stop acts of terrorism, and assist with intelligence matters. No matter your career track within the FBI, Tulane SoPA offers many degree programs that can help equip you with core skills that will prepare you for both the application process and the nature of your role. Learn more about how our degree and certificate programs can prepare you for your FBI career path by requesting more information or starting your application today.