Case Study Hiring FBI Agents

The FBI is one of the six bureaus of the U.S. Department ofJustice and the primary criminal investigative agency of thefederal government. The special agents who work for the FBIinvestigate people and organizations who violate federal statutes.These violations can be related to organized crime, white-collarcrime, financial crime, civil rights violations, bank robberies,kidnapping, terrorism, foreign counterintelligence, and fugitiveand drug trafficking matters. Special agents also work with otherfederal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The workperformed by special agents has a daily impact on the country’ssecurity and the quality of life of all U.S. citizens.74 The FBIhas validated a series of assessment methods for its special agentpositions. To effectively utilize the assessments, it uses acombination of multiple hurdles and cut scores to make its hiringdecisions:75 Online Application for the Special Agent Position: Apreliminary online application submitted through an FBI FieldOffice is used to determine if applicants meet the minimumqualifications of the position,76 including citizenship, age,education, work experience, and geographic mobility.77 Phase ITesting: 78 Applicants passing the second hurdle are given threetests: A biodata inventory, a logical reasoning test, and asituational judgment test. Candidates whose scores exceed apredetermined cut score advance to the next phase. Phase IITesting: 79 Only the most competitive applicants, based on thehiring needs of the FBI, are scheduled for Phase II Testing.Candidates’ performance on a structured interview and a writtenexercise are compared to a cut score. If the applicant’s score isat or higher than the cut score, he or she passes Phase II.Candidates who pass this hurdle are sent a letter informing themthat they passed and that they might also receive a conditionalletter of appointment, based on the determination of theircompetitiveness and the needs of the FBI. The final offer ofemployment is contingent upon successfully completing the physicalfitness test, background investigation, and medical examination.Physical Fitness Test: To pass the physical fitness test candidatesmust perform a maximum number of sit-ups in one minute, perform atimed 300-meter sprint, perform a maximum number of push-ups, andperform a timed 1½ mile run. Candidates have a total of threeopportunities to pass the physical fitness test.80 FBI BackgroundInvestigation: Candidates receiving a conditional letter ofemployment are subjected to a background investigation including apolygraph test, credit and arrest checks, interviews withassociates as well as personal and business references and pastemployers, and verification of educational achievements. Receivingan FBI Top Secret security clearance is necessary to be eligiblefor a FBI Special Agent position.81 Medical Examination: A thoroughmedical examination is given to assess whether any medical issuecould negatively affect the candidate’s ability to perform basicSpecial Agent job functions. Candidates passing all phases of thehiring process are scheduled for a Special Agent class at the FBIAcademy. Questions

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the FBIusing a multiple hurdles approach to select specialagents?

Would such a lengthy selection process appeal to you orturn you off to working at the FBI?

What might the FBI do to increase the chances that theapplicants it wants to hire accept the job offers extended tothem?