I started thinking about FBI job when I heard from the news that CIA needed agents who could speak my language. I am not sure I can be a spy so I applied for FBI special agent job as soon as I received my citizenship. My husband thinks I am wasting my time because I will never pass the background check. Although I believe he just doesn't like the 50% pay cut I am going to get, I do have some concerns over the following facts:
1. I have been in America for only 5 years.
2. Both my father and my sister are working for a factory owned by DOD back home. The factory does manufacture both weapons and civilian products.
I have not done anything wrong and have nothing to hide. Initially I thought I could prove myself by taking poly test, after reading the posts here I am not that confident anymore.
Any advice or thoughts?
I have to agree with your husband that it will probably be difficult for you to pass a background investigation, even though you haven't done anything wrong.
To begin with, note that roughly half (https://antipolygraph.org/forum/index.php?topic=592.msg3067#msg3067) of FBI special agent applicants who make it past Phase I and Phase II testing are presently being accused of deception (many, and perhaps most, falsely) based on pseudoscientific polygraph results, which become a permanent government record. In my opinion, this is reason enough for anyone to avoid the FBI like the plague. See my article, Just Say 'No' to FBI Polygraphs (http://antipolygraph.org/articles/article-032.shtml).
Second, U.S. security officials are notoriously xenophobic. The fact that your father and sister work for the military of a foreign government will be of considerable concern, especially if you remain close to them. So, too, will the fact that you have only recently become a U.S. citizen. See Security Clearances and National Security Information: Law and Procedures (17.5mb PDF) for more on how policies have been applied:
http://antipolygraph.org/documents/security-clearances.pdf
Finally, instead of inspiring admiration for your loyalty to your newly adopted country, the fact that you are willing to take a 50% pay cut to work for the FBI is likely to arouse deep suspicion on the part of background investigators.
I think you would be wise to keep your present job.
Thanks for your input George. I agree I need a miracle to make this all happen. I will definitely keep my job before I get a yes from FBI.
As to the paycut, I am willing to take it not because I am anxious to serve my new country (I can serve it well by paying tax), but because I always wanted to be an investigator or at least have a more exciting job. In addition, I don't have any financial difficulties. $50k more a year won't make a huge difference for me.
The factory my father and my sister work for even has a joint venture with Siemens. Anybody who knows the history of the country where I come from would agree that it doesn't mean anything. 20 years ago, every business was owned by the Government.
Anyways, I will give it a try. I do believe FBI needs people like me, who not just speak the language, but truly understand what people are talking about.
lala,
Sorry to dash your dreams, but I have to agree with George. Although your ambition is admirable, it is highly doubtful you would even make it to the poly with the FBI. Before applicants receive a conditional job offer, they must submit a completed backgound investigation form, which will reveal your relatives living overseas. Such a circumstance is a common reason for a security clearance denial in the FBI. I would imagine the agency would not even waste it's time by extending you a conditional job offer. There are other ways to become an investigator without working for the FBI. Perhaps, that's an option you could explore. Good luck to you.
I will see how far I can go... Doesn't hurt to try... Maybe I will fail phase I test scheduled next month before I even start to worry about the rest.
It is good for me to know there is little hope so I don't get too disspointed. I am willing to give up a nice lifestyle for a dream I have held for 15 years, but if it doesn't work out, I can still go back to enjoy my big house and nice cars. I will think of something to make my life more enjoyable, but it will always hurt whenever I hear the word "FBI SA" on radio or TV...
Lala,
If you want to be an investigator, you could always look into the local level or even the private sector. Many people i know tell me I should seek employment with the FBI or some other federal agency in lieu of persuing it on the local level, which I am currrently doing. I have no desire to work for the feds, especially after reading what I've read on this site alone.
-Smokey