Are you preparing for an upcoming interview with the Department of Justice (DOJ)? Preparing for a DOJ interview can be a daunting task, however, it’s important to be well informed and adequately prepared for the questions you may be asked in order to make a lasting impression. Knowing what kind of questions to expect can help you to craft your answers in a way that is both informative and impactful. This blog post provides an overview of the most common DOJ interview questions, as well as tips to help you prepare for a successful interview experience. We’ll discuss the types of questions you might be asked, such as those related to your background, legal experience, and qualifications, as well as how to answer them effectively. Hopefully, this post will help you feel more confident and prepared for your upcoming DOJ interview.
DOJ Investigation tips
Interviews for Top Jobs at US Department of Justice
Intern Interview
I interviewed at US Department of Justice
Interview
Conversational and interviewer was friendly. There was more time for me to ask questions than I expected. I enjoyed the interview process. I would definitely do more research on not just the position but also my interviewer specifically if I could go back simply because the interview was so conversational it would have been nice to have a few more talking points.
- What made you decide to go to law school?
IT Technician Interview
I interviewed at US Department of Justice
Interview
great experience, it was fast and i did not wait too long. i was contacted by the second week of the process. I really recommend this. I also was asked why am i leaving my current company.
- 1. what are your strengths
Summer Intern Interview
I interviewed at US Department of Justice
Interview
Conducted over a phone call. Approximately 20-30 minutes. I was interviewed by the intern coordinator. The questions were relatively easy so if you prepared for the interview they aren’t bad. Make sure you know about the company and branch you are interviewing for.
- Tell me a little about yourself. Why are you interested in interning here?.
How candidates received their first interview at United States Department of Justice
- I applied for a secretary position in 1989. shared on March 29, 2019 by a office assistant in Washington, DC 20005.
- Staffing company – Program Manager – Los Angeles, CA – Shared on February 18, 2019
- The organization held a job fair, which was followed by a panel interview. Case Manager – Beaumont, Texas – shared on January 21, 2019
What advice do candidates give for interviewing at United States Department of Justice
- Not as up to date as private industry technology wise. Shared on February 18, 2019 – Los Angeles, California, Program Manager
- Must be able to multi-task. Without losing your place, change jobs and then back again They don’t offer training for administrators very often, so you do well learning on your own. Shared on August 30, 2018 – Operations Support Specialist, US Marshal Service – Springfield, MO
- Research the company and position applying for. Shared on July 3, 2018 – Operations – Payment Specialist (Contractor)
What candidates say about the interview process at United States Department of Justice
- The interview process is easy because the questions are straightforward. Shared on March 10, 2021 – Associate Warden (Retired) – Manchester, KY
- The panel had too many participants, and there were too many interviews. Additionally, some of the questions asked during the interviews had nothing to do with the position.
- Interesting. some of the questions at least. – Federal Correctional Officer/Food Service Supervisor – Otisville, NYShared on April 18, 2020 – Need to be more intrusive, more open ended questions
Example: “I think collaborating with other agencies to make sure justice is served will be one of the biggest challenges when I start this position.” As an assistant district attorney, I had experience working with other departments, so I know I can use those abilities to get along with others. ”.
Example: “In my current position as an assistant district attorney, there have been a number of times when I felt overworked.” In these circumstances, I try to first determine which tasks are most crucial and need to be finished right away. Then, in order to make each task more manageable, I divide it into smaller components. Last but not least, I give myself deadlines and assign some of the work to other team members. ”.
Enforcing the law and handling justice in the United States are the responsibilities of the US Department of Justice. S. This question may be asked during the interview to gauge how well you understand the department’s goals and objectives as well as how you feel about them. Try to demonstrate in your response that you are aware of the work being done by the department and its significance.
I am aware of the requirements for a full-time position at the U, for instance. S. Department of Justice. I understand that I must be a U. S. hold a valid driver’s license, be a citizen for at least a year prior to employment, and be able to pass a drug test. I would also have to undergo a background investigation and provide the Federal Bureau of Investigation with my fingerprints. ”.
Example: “I received a Bachelor of Criminology degree from the University of California.” The same university then granted me a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice. I also finished an internship at the neighborhood police department while pursuing my Master’s degree, where I gained useful experience. ”.
Prosecution Interviews: District Attorney Offices
- Why do you want to be a prosecutor?
- Why [this office] and not [another office] do you want to work here?
- What one skill do you possess that would set you apart from other applicants as an ADA?
- What do you believe will be your biggest strength or biggest weakness in your first year as an ADA?
- What did you observe in court that you want to practice or avoid?
- You’ve had a lot of experience working with people from similar socioeconomic backgrounds to those of the people we prosecute. What conflicts do you see this causing for you?.
- How do you manage your time?
- The hearing for another ADA involving the search and seizure of a pound of cocaine has been assigned to you. According to the case notes you have, the arresting police officer pulled over the defendant’s vehicle after observing the defendant driving erratically. The defendant claimed he didn’t have a license or registration when the officer requested them. The officer arrested the defendant and searched the car. One pound of cocaine was discovered in the trunk’s gym bag. Do you believe the search was lawful and what questions do you have for the officer before you analyze how to present your case to the hearing judge for admission of the cocaine?
- How would you resolve the conflict between the case and your personal beliefs if you were given a case that you morally disagreed with?
- What would you do if your boss ordered you to file a case even though you didn’t have enough evidence to prove the defendant’s guilt?
- Can you think of a situation where you knew without a shadow of a doubt that a crime had been committed but decided not to report it?
- As an ADA, you propose a five-year plea agreement to the defendant in the case. The defendant rejects it and wants to go to trial. The night before the trial, you get a call informing you that your only witness passed away from a heart attack. When the defendant’s attorney approaches you in court and offers to settle the case, you arrive prepared to inform the judge that you must dismiss the case. What would you do?.
- In order to file an armed robbery complaint against someone, a police officer and the victim visit the district attorney’s complaint office. An 80-year-old white man was robbed at gunpoint at three in the morning without any witnesses. After the robbery, he flags down a policeman he sees. The victim points out the robber in front of a store with three other men as the officer and the victim continue to drive around for a moment. At the time of his arrest, the robber is missing everything: his wallet, his gun, even his own identification. You don’t know anything about his three friends because they left. Would you charge armed robbery?.
- You are about to start a gun possession trial. After the defendant was stopped for running a red light, he was taken into custody. The arresting officer stated during his grand jury testimony that he noticed the gun on the passenger seat as soon as he arrived at the defendant’s car. The arresting officer informs you that he needs to speak with you at 9 AM on the morning of the trial. He explains that the arrest occurred as he had described to the grand jury, with the exception that he arrived on the scene after the gun was actually seized. This officer was asked to handle the case because the officer who discovered the gun and witnessed the running of the red light was nearing the end of her shift. What do you do?.
- A police officer comes to your office with an arrest. She claims to have heard about a robbery on her police radio, in which three men assaulted an elderly woman and stole her purse. As the officer approached the crime scene, she noticed two men running down the sidewalk. One man was holding something bulky under his coat. She ordered them to stop. They were both arrested for robbery after she searched them and discovered that the man in the heavy coat had a purse hidden beneath it. Would you write up the case?.
- You are prosecuting a robbery case. You’ve had several conversations with the victim about what happened on the night of the robbery. Every time you speak with her, she consistently conveys the same information to you, giving you specifics about a robbery, such as the date, time, and description of the perpetrator. There are no inconsistencies. Though you’re unsure of the reason, you have a nagging gut feeling that you don’t believe her. You simply don’t think she’s telling the truth, but you can’t explain why. Why do you do?.
What is [the agency’s] mission?
I was asked this during my DOJ Honors interview as the opening question. And I fumbled. I was somewhat aware of the work that the interviewing agency (EOIR) undertook. However, I was unaware of the surefire response that would have been simple to find and offered on EOIR’s website. Due to my apparent lack of preparation for this question, I wouldn’t be surprised if I wasn’t selected in the first round (I was selected in the second round as an “alternate”).
Don’t make my mistake. Yes, all reputable employers have a mission statement. But the concept of mission plays a more outsize role for federal agencies. It’s their core value, ethos, identity. It determines their size, funding, authority, and independence from regime changes (at least in theory). It’s the reason the mission statement almost always appears as the first sentence in every agency’s annual report to Congress. My agency’s 2021 report, not counting the head’s message, starts with “OSC’s core mission is . . .”
The agency’s mission statement is easily accessible on their website. Although you don’t have to repeat it word-for-word in your interview, you should study its key phrases and use them in your response.
FAQ
What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers?
- Tell me about yourself.
- What attracted you to our company?
- Tell me about your strengths.
- What are your weaknesses?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Please describe a time when you faced a business obstacle.
What questions does justice ask in an interview?
- How would your friends describe you?
- What is your favorite animal and why?
- How well do you work as part of a team?
- Have you ever disagreed with a manager’s decisions?
- How do you handle multiple customers at once?
What questions do they ask in a government interview?
- How was the drive?
- Tell me about yourself.
- Where are you from?
- What are your three greatest strengths?
- What are your three greatest weaknesses?
- Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
- What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
- What are you passionate about?
Why do I want to work for the Department of Justice?
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is a national leader in ensuring that all Americans are protected while maintaining their constitutional rights. When you work for Justice, you’ll be a part of a team where you can advance your career and use your abilities to further our vital mission.
