How To Write an FBI Agent Resume
The government has strict hiring rules for FBI agents, so a key function of resumes for this position is to show you meet those requirements simply. At the same time, demonstrate you have the law enforcement skills and all-around dedication to succeed in this position. The following tips and examples will help you achieve both of these aims so your FBI agent resume moves you to the next stage of the hiring process.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Craft an outstanding profile with a summary of your FBI agent qualifications
Your resume summary should catch hiring managers’ interest by giving the top reasons they could rely on you to help enforce federal laws and protect people in the U.S. For help writing this section, look closely at the official FBI agent job post, which indicates the following qualities are key to the job:
- Adaptable
- Articulate
- Calm
- Collaborative
- Compassionate
- Dedicated to public safety
- Focused on solutions
- Honest
- Service-oriented
Think about which of these qualities best describes you, and write a brief paragraph connecting them to your work, school, or other relevant experience. By putting this description at the top of your resume, you can show hiring managers you have the background and skill set they’re looking for.
Summary Statement Example
Law enforcement professional with over three years of experience promoting the safety and security of government agencies and local communities. Committed to professional integrity and excellence in all endeavors. Efficient and adaptable in high-pressure work settings.
2. Add a compelling section featuring your FBI agent experience
To be considered for an FBI agent position, you must have two or more years of full-time work experience (or one year if you have a master’s or doctorate degree). So your resume must include a Professional Work Experience section that clearly shows you meet this requirement.
But don’t just go back two years – use this section to outline all your relevant full-time jobs and write descriptions of your key duties and achievements. Take another look at the qualities named on the job posting, and give examples of demonstrating those qualities in a work environment. With clear, quantified examples, you can give hiring managers a preview of the strengths you’d bring to a job at the FBI.
Professional Work Experience Example
Patrol Sergeant / Community Police Officer, 06/2015 to present
Seattle Police Department, Seattle, WA
Salary: $XX per year
Job Type: 40+ hours per week, fulltime
Supervisor: John Smith, (123) 456-7890
- Oversee, motivate, and performance-manage a squad of officers
- Train new officers on department policies and procedures and monitor progress
- Investigate crimes by interviewing witnesses, gathering physical evidence, and arresting and processing suspects
Highlights:
- Introduced three training and development programs for regional personnel. Programs offered more in-depth education on interrogation methods, helping drive an 11% gain in staff retention and 15% gain in new hire performance (per formal leadership assessment as of May 2022)
- Member of the management group that updated core goals for task forces focused on public corruption and violent crime prevention
3. Include education and certifications relevant to FBI agents
You must have a bachelor’s degree or higher to work as an FBI agent, so your resume will need to include details on your college degree(s). In addition to your college education, consider giving details on any certifications you’ve earned that help qualify you for a career in federal law enforcement. Below are templates and examples to help you format your education and certifications on your resume (note all template areas are required).
Education
Template
- Degree Name — Major, Graduation Date
- School Name, City, ST | #.# GPA
- Any academic honors
Example
- Bachelor’s Degree – Criminal Justice, 2010
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 3.4 GPA
Certification
Template
- Certification Name, Date in effect
- Awarding Organization, City, ST
Example
- Certified Professional Criminal Investigator (CPCI), 2019
- National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers & Studies (NICCS), Stanford, CA
4. List FBI agent-related skills and proficiencies
Add a Professional Skills section to show the various ways you could help enforce federal law as an FBI agent. This section may include skills from your education, career, personal background (such as foreign languages), or technical training, so it’s a great way to show you’re ready for the versatile role of an FBI agent. Below are just some of the relevant skills to consider for your FBI agent resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Complex problem-solving | Cost reduction and elimination |
| Counterintelligence | Counterterrorism |
| Court testimony preparation | Criminal investigations |
| Cross-agency collaboration | Efficiency improvement |
| Evidence gathering | Federal law enforcement |
| Fraud prevention | Interview and interrogation methods |
| Procedure improvement | Program analysis |
| Regulatory compliance | Reporting and documentation |
| Search warrants | Staff coaching and mentoring |
| Suspect apprehension | Task prioritization |
| Team collaboration | Team leadership and motivation |
| Violent crime prevention | |
How To Pick the Best FBI Agent Resume Template
For government job applications, a clear and straightforward resume design is usually best. Opt for a visual design that lets the hiring manager quickly review your best career details. Select a traditional resume font, and avoid any template with an overly colorful or elaborate design. When in doubt, follow the government’s own federal resume template.
FBI Agent Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Allison Rosenberg
123 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 12345
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | www.linkedin.com/example
Date available to begin work: Immediately
Summary Statement
Service-oriented law enforcement professional with over five years of experience. Skilled communicator who builds positive relationships with diverse personnel and members of the public.
Professional Skills
- Complex problem-solving
- Criminal investigations
- Cross-agency collaboration
- Fraud prevention
- Interview and interrogation methods
- Italian (intermediate)
- Procedure improvement
- Reporting and documentation
- Spanish (advanced)
- Task prioritization
- Violent crime prevention
Professional Work Experience
Community Police Officer, 08/2017 to present
San Diego Police Department, San Diego, CA
Salary: $XX per year
Job Type: 40+ hours per week, fulltime
Supervisor: John Smith, (123) 456-7890
- Patrol assigned areas by foot and car to help direct traffic, enforce laws, and ensure public safety
- Collaborate with supervisor to set clear goals and scope of work for each assigned case
- Help investigate alleged or suspected criminal activity in the region
Highlights:
- Used Spanish fluency to help improve relations between police and the local Hispanic community
- Honed team’s standard procedures for documenting new cases, raising efficiency by 25% within the first month of implementation
Education
Bachelor’s Degree – Criminal Justice (minor in Business Administration), 2017
University of California, San Diego, CA, 3.7 GPA
Frequently Asked Questions: FBI Agent Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for FBI agent resumes?-
The following verbs list will help you brainstorm and write about the various ways you’ve made an impact in your work experience so far:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Adapted | Adjusted |
| Apprehended | Collaborated |
| Created | Enforced |
| Enhanced | Interrogated |
| Interviewed | Investigated |
| Located | Managed |
| Modified | Monitored |
| Oversaw | Prevented |
| Prioritized | Protected |
| Pursued | Resolved |
| Responded | Secured |
| Served | Streamlined |
| Strengthened | Targeted |
| Uncovered | Updated |
| Upheld | |
What is the best FBI agent resume format? -
FBI job applicants are required to use the federal resume format. Federal resumes generally follow the standard combination resume format, which (true to its name) blends your work history with an introductory section focusing on key skills. But the federal format requires additional details you’d almost never put on a standard resume, including the salary and manager contact info for each past job. You’ll also need to give detailed information on any military experience you have. For a full overview of these required details, see the FBI’s Federal Resume Guide.
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The FBI requires you to send your college transcript(s) along with your resume and prohibits attaching a cover letter or photo. Based on your circumstance, you may also have to submit other documents – see Special Agent Selection System: All You Need to Know to Apply.
