Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Employee Reviews

It is a great place to work. A very family friendly environment with great pay & benefits. The things you experience are awesome. One day you could be in an airplane doing surveillance of a subject to an illegal narcotic trafficking organization and the next day you could be interviewing a high-profile elected official. It's not just a career, but a calling. You go home every day feeling like you’re making a difference.

Pros

The experiences you have

Cons

None

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Not what you think it is

Staff Operations Specialist (Former Employee) - Boston, MA - September 10, 2023

Good benefits, good salary. Day to day is actually somewhat boring and repetitive depending on your position. Must buy in to the “Type A” mindset and culture of working there.

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Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) insights

Based on 301 survey responses

What people like

Feeling of personal appreciation
Ability to learn new things
Clear sense of purpose

Rewording work with poor management

Special Agent (Former Employee) - San Diego, CA - August 8, 2023

Too often management is focused on their career track than furthering the mission at best. Being a front line employee is the most rewarding part of the job as you try to help the public but internal culture needs some work,

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Great learning experience-1st office job

Confidential clerk-Summers only (Former Employee) - Chicago, IL - August 7, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?The people and it was interestingWhat is the most stressful part about working at the company?Once while on switchboard I handled and recorded a call from a kidnapper What is the work environment and culture like at the company?Respectful and serious -starts early but the days over by 5.What is a typical day like for you at the company?I was either on switchboard, records or reception

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Great place to work.

Special Agent (Current Employee) - United States - August 5, 2023

Meaningful and rewarding work. Great atmosphere full of people who are dedicated to fulfilling the mission and getting the job done. Some days are 9-5, some are not. Days/hours can be long, hard, and unpredictable at times, but that's the nature of the work. Work/Life balance is supported and is generally manageable.

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Very amazing.

Intelligence Analyst (Former Employee) - Honolulu, HI - August 4, 2023

I spent five years as an Intelligence Analyst at the FBI, and overall, I found it to be an incredibly rewarding experience.The work was always stimulating and varied, with each day bringing new challenges. I had the opportunity to work on complex cases that required deep analytical thinking and attention to detail. The learning opportunities were endless, and I felt like I was truly contributing to the security of our country, which was very fulfilling.The FBI provided excellent training programs, allowing me to continuously expand my skill set and learn about new areas of intelligence and law enforcement. There were also opportunities for advancement, and I appreciated the clear career progression pathway.One of the best parts of the job was my colleagues. They were a diverse group of dedicated and talented individuals who were always ready to collaborate and support each other.However, the job was not without its challenges. The work could be highly stressful at times, with long hours and high-stakes assignments. It was not unusual to have to work weekends or to be called in on short notice. The nature of the work also required a high level of confidentiality, which can be difficult to navigate in personal life.Work-life balance was a challenge due to the demanding nature of the job, and this is an area where the agency could potentially improve. More support for stress management would have been appreciated.Despite these challenges, working for the FBI as an Intelligence Analyst was a truly unique experience. It's not a job for everyone, but for those with a passion -

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A degree helps, however it’s not required. Do your best and keep learning daily!

Employee (Former Employee) - West Virginia - July 31, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?You grow and learn as far as you want! What is the most stressful part about working at the company?Enjoyed having breaks and food was great! What is the work environment and culture like at the company?Fast paced entertainment must be willing to learn What is a typical day like for you at the company?Everyday is different so never a dole moment

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Good place to work

Agent (Former Employee) - Washington, DC - June 28, 2023

I was in the FBI for over 20 years. It is a good place to work. The pay and benefits are good if you do not live in a high cost of living area such as New York or Washington DC.

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One of the worst places I have ever worked

Analyst (Former Employee) - Charlotte - June 15, 2023

The point of your job is to check boxes so field office gets a passing score on evaluations. You write "intelligence products" or "source reports" just so the field division can say they did a certain number. And then most of those reports just disappear. Maybe you'll manage to accomplish something in the process, but the primary purpose is to check boxes. Management is incredibly rigid, doesn't care about investing in employees, and doesn't want you to get creative at what you do. There are a lot of trainings, which can be good, and some of them are interesting. But there are so many that they distract from doing the job in the first place.

Pros

Job security

Cons

Just about everything

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In need of a major culture improvement

Intelligence Analyst (Current Employee) - Detroit, MI - May 26, 2023

The FBI is great if you are an agent but if not then there is little opportunity for advancement and the intel management is absolutely terrible. They have no room for people dealing with mental health issues, even though they talk about how important it is all the time. There is a huge culture problem. In my experience, my coworkers were amazing, but again intel management was awful. They provide little to no training and then hold you accountable for knowing everything they think you should know. People frequently get screwed over and nobody cares, they have the attitude that "it happens all the time." So there's no point in fighting it.

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Good

Chief Operating Officer (Current Employee) - Washington, DC - May 21, 2023

Communication management business administration is the highest motivation for the business and the committee , members of the United States are working extremely hard to get the best quality

Pros

Administration

Cons

Heath Care

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Rewarding

Special Agent (Former Employee) - Detroit, MI - May 4, 2023

Detroit was great case work and the hardest working people in the org. Process can be frustrating at times, but dedication and detail leads to rewards.

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Great experience working for my country that I love -- the land of the free . . .

Language Specialist /Analyst plus interpreted ------ Now Retired. (Former Employee) - Seattle, WA - April 28, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?Being able to safeguard the rights of US citizens and being able to help with language analysis.What is the most stressful part about working at the company?I am retired now. At times I had to work long hours or go to work way early such as 4:30 am as per need. Still I enjoyed very much working there as language specialist/analyst plus as an interpreter.What is the work environment and culture like at the company?Great working environment, many cultures and languages group.What is a typical day like for you at the company?I am retired now. When working, its was great multicultural environment.

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It made me re-think my respect for the Bureau.

Surveillance Specialist (Former Employee) - Albuquerque, NM - April 26, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?You feel you are making a difference.What is the most stressful part about working at the company?Internal politics and general danger with the job.What is the work environment and culture like at the company?Toxic if you are not in the right circle of friends.What is a typical day like for you at the company?Sitting in a car for 8 hours a day.

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Very Rewarding serving and protecting.

Federal Investigator (Former Employee) - Miami - April 19, 2023

I thoroughly enjoyed my 34 year career at the FBI. I found the work very rewarding and I sincerely appreciated the opportunity to work and serve the FBI in Chicago and Miami Divisions.

Pros

Take home vehicle excellent pay.

Cons

Sometime demanding work hours and conditions.

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Pay is ok. Investigations are second to none and more logical, thorough and complete than any other background agency.

Special Investigator (Current Employee) - Iowa - March 27, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?Paid for mileage and travel time. Left alone as long as you complete your assignments on time and completely.What is the most stressful part about working at the company?Lack of response from quality assurance personnel when you have questions and lack of supervision/accountability of same employees.What is the work environment and culture like at the company?Independent as much as you want to be.What is a typical day like for you at the company?Remote and on my own schedule.

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Great workplace for growth

Administrative Specialist (Former Employee) - Albuquerque, NM - March 25, 2023

Encouraging environment to grow in your career. Supportive executive management. Everyone is dedicated and committed to doing good work which is great

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Fun experience

Intern (Current Employee) - Virginia - March 23, 2023

It was definitely a fun internship. I got to do things I have never done before. I do wish there was better communication with the interns. There is just a lot of red tape with any kind of government work, but I wish the communication was there with whether we will be offered jobs or not, whether jobs are opening, and things like that.

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I found my work very productive, fun and enjoyable. I personalized my job to suit the needs of the office.

Administrative Specialist-Records Manager (Former Employee) - Louisville, KY - March 17, 2023

Any job you go to you have to give at least 50% effort to show you really can learn the many functions of your job duties and those of others that cross over into your job. You will have the opportunity to learn several jobs that are the background of office work. I took business courses in high school and college, along with secretarial courses. I also used my training as a paralegal as well.

Pros

Benefits are good, savings plan, retirement plan, good insurance, must request leave with your supervisor when assigned to a supervisor.

Cons

Please try not to stay in the same position too long, try to find a way to get promoted to a different.

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Very productive with opportunities to advance.

Locks Unit, Supervisory Engineering Technician (Former Employee) - Quantico, VA - March 10, 2023

AWESOME place to work. Enjoyed my time there. I was able to take classes that helped enhance my job responsibilities. Management was very supportive.

Pros

Job security and salary

Cons

Sometimes the politics

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Working at the Bureau was the honor of my life.

Realty Specialist/Contracting Officer, GS (Former Employee) - Headquarters, WA - February 25, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?I had the distinct honor to work confidentially for the American people and deeply enjoyed my time at the Bureau.What is the most stressful part about working at the company?Maintaining strict confidentiality.What is the work environment and culture like at the company?Truly a team environment with a team approach to problem solving.What is a typical day like for you at the company?I goal was, and still is, to support and strengthen democracy.

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