Here is another phrase from Ozark: “You offering me a job in the FBI?” Do you see any difference between ‘job in the FBI’ and ‘job at the FBI’? I would have thought that only the latter is acceptable? As an alternative I would also accept “You offering me a job with the FBI?” What do you think?
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I could see this. Prepositions can be weird. They don’t always make sense. One or another catches on, then it’s always said that way.
It’s common to say “a job in government”.
You would not say “a job at government”.
I could see in being used in a similar way with the FBI, but I prefer at. (I’ve never actually heard either one that I remember.)
In contrast, you would say “a job at Walmart”, but not “a job in Walmart”.
I only hear in used with government, not private businesses.
With the word “working”, I normally hear for or at. This would also apply with government. “Working in government” would sound a little weird.
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This requires far too much thought.
I believe “in the FBI” and “with the FBI” are both thinking of the Bureau as an organization.
“At the FBI” seems to be thinking of the FBI building as a stand-in for the organization.
“In government” and “in retail” I believe are both talking about a field.
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