FBI Hiring for Jobs and Careers

It's a recession. Seems like nobody's hiring. But there is one place that is: the FBI.

They're hiring an unprecedented 850 agents and 2,100 support positions (read: desk jobs).

Desk jobs are important to the FBI. In fact, this latest push is part of an effort to get more agents on the street (so to speak) instead of chained to a desk. But most people don't fantasize about a desk job in the FBI. Most people want to know the skinny on how to get a job as an FBI agent.

This is the skeleton of requirements to become an FBI agent.

First, the general requirements to be an FBI agent. When applying as an agent you must be a U.S. citizen between the ages of 23-37. You must have a four year degree from an accredited institution, with three years of professional work experience and a valid driver's license.

Physical requirements to get a job as an FBI agent starts with decent vision, at least once you put in contact lenses. The candidate must have corrected vision of 20/20 in one eye and at least 20/40 in the other. You must also be free of physical disabilities and be able to pass their physical fitness test.

One of the things that scares most people out of getting a job at the FBI is the background check. It is, by all accounts, extensive. From the fbijobs.gov, here are the FBI employment disqualifiers.

Conviction of a felony

Use of illegal drugs in violation of the FBI Employment Drug Policy (see the FBI Employment Drug Policy for more details)

Default of a student loan (insured by the U.S. Government)

Failure of an FBI-administered urinalysis drug test

Failure to register with the Selective Service System (for males only)

Most importantly is the drug use disqualifier. Here are the drug related requirements according to fbijobs.gov:

You can easily determine whether you meet the FBI's illegal drug policy by answering the following questions:

1. Have you used marijuana at all within the last three years?

2. Have you used any other illegal drug (including anabolic steroids after February 27, 1991) at all in the past 10 years?

3. Have you ever sold any illegal drug for profit?

4. Have you ever used an illegal drug (no matter how many times or how long ago) while in a law enforcement or prosecutorial position, or in a position which carries with it a high level of responsibility or public trust?

If you answered Yes to any of these questions, you are not eligible for employment with the FBI.