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FBI Agents

Outlook

Most job vacancies within the FBI are due to agents retiring, advancing, or resigning from their positions. Turnover, in general, has traditionally been low, as most agents remain with the FBI throughout their working lives.

The numbers of FBI special agents are linked to the scope of the FBI's responsibilities. Increases in organized crimes, white-collar crimes, and terrorist threats (both from international and domestic sources) on American soil have led the FBI to increase the number of agents in recent years.

As the bureau's responsibilities expand, it will create new positions to meet them. Despite increased recruitment, growth in the numbers of new agency hires is expected to remain somewhat limited. Competition for openings will continue to be extremely high. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the FBI has been particularly interested in recruits who are able to speak Arabic, Farsi, Pashtu, Punjabi, and Urdu and are familiar with Middle and Far Eastern cultures. Potential agents with backgrounds in information technology are also in high demand.

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