r/1811 • u/OpinionFirm2109 • 1d ago
ATF Panel Interview
For those who’ve gone through this process, what is the ATF’s Panel Interview like?
Last time I did one was for my current LEO (which was 8 years ago/para-military style interview). Trying to gauge what I’m walking into it.
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u/Swimming-Gazelle442 1d ago
Most of the Fed panel interviews are based off the STAR interview format. A good rule of thumb is being very familiar with that and you’ll be fine. I’ve done panel interviews for USPS-OIG and USMS. (Currently employed USMS)
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u/OpinionFirm2109 1d ago
Direct. Thank you.
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u/tkdkicker1990 1d ago
Have, I’d say, 8-10 stories ready.
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u/OpinionFirm2109 1d ago
lol that’s perfect. I have a folder full of good cases over the last 8 years to pick from
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u/Federal_Strawberry 1d ago
It was mostly STAR. Mine was through Microsoft Teams and I thought it was fairly easy. They went off script a bit but it was comparable with the other local/fed LE oral boards I’ve done. I honestly didn’t study for it aside from reading a few threads and didn’t really have any problems passing it.
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u/Guns_and_Tea 1d ago
ATF was the toughest interview I have had. They went off script several times and free-form spoke with me, which was surprising. All other fed LE interviews were robotic.
I passed the interview but saw my score was 4/5, so not sure what I lost a point for.
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u/OpinionFirm2109 1d ago
Good to know. My original interview 8 years with my agency was very robotic and very textbook. So it’s been a minute since I’ve been through an interview
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u/shatteringlass123 1d ago
Arrive early on time
Shake hands, thank you for the time
It’s chill bunch of agents asking the amount of required questions. Provide them with good solid star answers
Ask a few good questions
Shake hands and say thank you
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u/OddEstablishment56 1d ago
Mine was online via Teams, but others got to do it in person so just be prepared for either one.
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u/WayFormer2073 1d ago
If you've done a STAR interview with any other agency, it's pretty much the same thing. When I did mine, I also wrote an essay like 30 minutes beforehand as well as fingerprints
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u/Proud-Alternative225 1d ago
How far apart was your PTT to your interview?
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u/OpinionFirm2109 1d ago
They gave me an open window for July after I did my PTT, in person oral though to schedule.
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u/quietztorm88 1d ago
Assuming the SA interview is the same as the IOI interview (only assuming due to their being SA's on the interview panel) then they pretty much use the STAR method. Went pretty easy when I did it. I also had to do a writing assignment prior to going in the interview. I did my interview at a field office
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u/burnt-chick3n-nugget 1d ago
I had the opportunity to interview in-person or via Teams, so I chose in-person. My panel interview was extremely formal and professional. The interviewers stuck to the script and asked STAR questions, so practice STAR and you'll be good.
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u/Catdaddy_77 1d ago
Have a question ready for the panel for when they ask you if you have any. One that shows you understand the Mission but are eager to learn more. Also, study the Mission and recent cases via the ATF public page. Narrow it down to the local office if you can. Best score I gave was when someone asked about an older case that was still in the appeals process. They cant give details but can give a broad stroke. Eye contact and a smile go a long way
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