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I don't know what TDY means, but if it involves eating a lot of meals at Schwartz's, sign me up.
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Jun 11, 2010 21:53
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Took the FSOT this afternoon. It wasn't too bad! Guess we'll find out in a few weeks. Good luck to everyone.
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Jun 11, 2010 22:04
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Pompous Rhombus posted:Would Pakistan-related work be something interesting to you? I got an e-mail about an immediate vacancy opening for a contractor at the Bureau of South Central Asian Affairs (part of the Department of State, position is in DC.) AFAIK it's not exclusive to people on my mailing list, they do require a Secret clearance through DSS but they're willing to pay for that. No word on minimum requirements from what I see, although it looks like previous experience with public diplomacy, etc would be a plus. YES YES YES YES YES YES YES edit: YES!!! SWEET JESUS YES can you message me on AIM and I'll give you my email address?
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Jun 11, 2010 23:17
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CherryCola posted:YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Got the same e-mail from one of my buddies, who was a fellow student in my IR MA program and actually works for State in the ECA department. I eagerly started retooling my resume and crafting my cover letter in my head, when my mail client beeped at me. One of my old professors got the same e-mail, and sent it to the entire politics program at my university. Now, this thread is abuzz about it. Best of luck to all of us that are applying- the way this thing has spread demonstrates how in demand these jobs are.
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Jun 12, 2010 00:24
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Left you a message on AIM with my e-mail address, CherryCola.suboptimal posted:Got the same e-mail from one of my buddies, who was a fellow student in my IR MA program and actually works for State in the ECA department. I eagerly started retooling my resume and crafting my cover letter in my head, when my mail client beeped at me. One of my old professors got the same e-mail, and sent it to the entire politics program at my university. Now, this thread is abuzz about it. Ha, and I was trying to keep it on the down-low in case some pubbies were browsing or something. And I wonder why I never get those jobs. 
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Jun 12, 2010 01:22
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Pompous Rhombus posted:Left you a message on AIM with my e-mail address, CherryCola. Thanks for sending that to me! It looks like it's probably a bit above my level, but I might as well send my resume out anyway.
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Jun 12, 2010 01:52
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So the test wasn't that bad...although the essay portion felt a little rough. Question for those who have taken it and passed. Am I correct in assuming the essay isn't meant to be a perfect one and that they are testing more you're ability to form a cohesive and understandable argument in 30 minutes rather than how perfect you can write? I consider myself a pretty good writer for these sorts of things, but the 30 minute time limit made me feel a little pressured (which is arguably a good thing).
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Jun 13, 2010 00:42
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Boondock Saint posted:So the test wasn't that bad...although the essay portion felt a little rough. I think that the writing section is meant to do just that, and also, to weed out the professional test takers who try to compose a five-paragraph essay a la the SAT/GRE. By nature of the time limit, you're pretty much forced to write a memo rather than an actual essay.
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Jun 13, 2010 12:25
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suboptimal posted:I think that the writing section is meant to do just that, and also, to weed out the professional test takers who try to compose a five-paragraph essay a la the SAT/GRE. By nature of the time limit, you're pretty much forced to write a memo rather than an actual essay. Actually, I read that the decreased time limit was due to two factors: 1) The switch to computerized testing 2) The need to find FSOs who are capable of typing up briefs under tight deadlines In any case, I was able to type up a five-paragraph essay on my chosen topic, but it was difficult. I started typing immediately and finished with 90 seconds left. After proof-reading, I submitted the essay with 15 seconds left on the clock. That was a real nail-biter. Also, I had a ridiculous amount of Economics and Management questions on my test, so I probably failed spectacularly. It's a drat shame considering how hard I destroyed the other sections. Rabid Koala fucked around with this message at 08:27 on Jun 14, 2010 |
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Jun 14, 2010 08:24
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bump. And CherryCola - I can't access my email for some reason atm, but I got your header.. AFAIK you just need to apply for the same spot we talked about. (But feel free to apply to anything else that catches your eye) I'll answer the rest of your message once I get access to it. And argh, I'll be talking Russian from now until thursday 
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Jun 15, 2010 15:14
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Eh, never mind. pantslesswithwolves fucked around with this message at 17:28 on Jun 15, 2010 |
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Jun 15, 2010 17:06
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Skandiaavity posted:bump. Okay, yeah I went ahead and applied to a few positions. So am I back in the normal applicant pool now or do you think there's any greater chance I'll get an interview for something?
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Jun 15, 2010 20:58
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if you applied to any, email me which ones so I know who to directly to talk with. (every posting has a different HR rep) you're in the pool, but since I'm not involved with any decision making in the hiring process, all I can do is get you noticed. Think of it like getting passed the FSOT & into the QEP/FSOA. you've basically passed the screener which weeds out something like 99% of the pool.
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Jun 17, 2010 23:55
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Just found out I am officially on the register. 27 out out of 117 on the Con register. I'm on DNC until May while I try to convince my wife that she doesn't really want to be a graphic designer but would rather move every 3 years to a new and exciting country.
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Jun 18, 2010 20:29
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Bizob posted:Just found out I am officially on the register. 27 out out of 117 on the Con register. Hey, congratulations! My wife was pretty unsure before our first tour, but has since really embraced the whole experience. (Moving still sucks, though, no matter what way you cut it.)
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Jun 18, 2010 21:02
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Business of Ferrets posted:Hey, congratulations! My wife was pretty unsure before our first tour, but has since really embraced the whole experience. (Moving still sucks, though, no matter what way you cut it.) We should get an OpenNet+ contact list so we can know what kind of network we have going!
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Jun 18, 2010 21:24
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Commuicator? Or SIPR? lol Also congrats on being put on the register! You've earned it!
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Jun 18, 2010 23:31
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Vilerat posted:We should get an OpenNet+ contact list so we can know what kind of network we have going! I PMed you my info.
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Jun 19, 2010 07:59
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Great thread. I think I'm going to apply for an Information Management Specialist position as soon as the posting opens again as this sounds like an incredible opportunity. I've got a few questions though I'm hoping some of you can answer. I assume where you live is safe and under U.S. control or protection, but do you have any choice as to where you live? How do you commute to work (or are you within walking distance)? How is the internet connectivity in countries that don't have the infrastructure that wealthier countries have (i.e. Africa)? Is your internet activity at your residence filtered in anyway? Hey man, gotta have that porn. My wife is a Registered Nurse. Will she be able to easily find work at the embassies/consulates as well? Thanks in advance!
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Jun 19, 2010 15:17
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amishpurple posted:I assume where you live is safe and under U.S. control or protection, but do you have any choice as to where you live? While in Pretoria we had two attempted break ins at our residence, one embassy family had a gang jump over their concertina lined electric fence topped wall and proceeded to beat the family while ransacking the house. Safe? Safer maybe. If you're someplace really bad they'll contract a full time guard and some posts have compound housing which is a good degree safer, but you're still your best line of defense. Normally when you get to post you're issued a house from the embassy pool that might be USG owned, or it might be leased some somebody. The house is usually assigned based off of your grade and your family size, you typically don't have a lot of say in the process and if your house sucks, deal with it. Exception if you're at an LQA post where instead of an embassy house they give you an allowance which you use to pay for your housing/utilities. quote:How do you commute to work (or are you within walking distance)? They pay for your vehicle to ship to post if the host country will allow it. Otherwise you buy a car or use public transportation. Basically you are responsible for getting to work on your own. quote:How is the internet connectivity in countries that don't have the infrastructure that wealthier countries have (i.e. Africa)? While in Sudan the internet was ok, I thought Kigali was ~ok~ as well but somebody posting in this thread would correct me on that. Most countries have DSL or cable these days and while expensive sometimes, you should be able to get your internet on. quote:Is your internet activity at your residence filtered in anyway? Hey man, gotta have that porn. Not by the embassy. It's commercial internet so if you're in a country that fucks with its people then expect them to gently caress with you too I guess. quote:My wife is a Registered Nurse. Will she be able to easily find work at the embassies/consulates as well? It depends. At some posts they help your spouse get local employment (SNAP program) but if you're spouse doesn't speak the language or if work just doesn't exist then you're out of luck. Some people have luck getting jobs at the embassy but it really depends on when you get to post and what's going on at that time.
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Jun 19, 2010 16:15
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amishpurple posted:My wife is a Registered Nurse. Will she be able to easily find work at the embassies/consulates as well? In my experience, your wife has one of the better skill sets for finding employment at post.
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Jun 19, 2010 18:01
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My fiance is a leasing consultant at an apartment complex, and her degree is in fashion merchandise. Is she hosed on finding work? I feel like her job experience leasing apartments would interfere with the housing specialists, right?
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Jun 19, 2010 18:39
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SWATJester posted:My fiance is a leasing consultant at an apartment complex, and her degree is in fashion merchandise. Is she hosed on finding work? I feel like her job experience leasing apartments would interfere with the housing specialists, right? Spousal employment is a sore spot in the FS world. Things have gotten better over the last ten years or so, but it is still very much hit or miss. I would say that most spouses/partners working at post do not work in jobs relevant to their background/training/education. That can be different if they can find a job on the economy (i.e. not within the embassy). If there is interest, I always encourage FSOs to enroll their partner in the Basic Consular Course, which lasts a number of weeks at FSI and enables them to work in consular sections. But one should not really hold out hope of furthering one's career if they are attached to an FSO who is going to be moving every few years. Truly portable careers, whatever that means, might be another story.
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Jun 19, 2010 18:54
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Hey Skandiaavity, is your e-mail still down? I sent you a message the other day.
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Jun 19, 2010 19:13
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Yeah, it is.. am checking it right now, but seems a bit bogged down. Spam filter's been goin like crazy, and i'm trying to address them as soon as I can.
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Jun 19, 2010 23:51
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Cool. Mentioned my username in the body of the e-mail, let me know if it got lost in your spam folder. Gmail's spam filter has been problematic for me sometimes, I almost failed a student for failing to take the final exam. Randomly checking my spam folder revealed that he had been e-mailing me to tell me that he'd broken his leg in three places in a car accident and wouldn't be walking for a while, much less taking finals for an English class.
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Jun 20, 2010 00:10
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Welp this has been a weekend from hell In preparation for orientation. I'm in the airport waiting to get on the flight to IAD and it's delayed. Oh, and I'm currently suit-less. Which means I go to Macy's right when I land. UGH.
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Jun 20, 2010 15:33
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if it helps, Macy's having a huge sale today  So's Jos A Bank, which has perpetually 50-90% off sales all year round.
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Jun 20, 2010 16:11
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Skandiaavity posted:if it helps, Macy's having a huge sale today Thanks for the heads up. I was hoping that all of Macys was having sales due to father's day, so I called the Macys closest to where I'm staying and had them pull a couple choices in my size so I can get in and out. Also I'm cutting it close in terms of when I land and when they close up. Gonna be a fun Sunday!
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Jun 20, 2010 16:27
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Homie S posted:Thanks for the heads up. I was hoping that all of Macys was having sales due to father's day, so I called the Macys closest to where I'm staying and had them pull a couple choices in my size so I can get in and out. Also I'm cutting it close in terms of when I land and when they close up. Gonna be a fun Sunday! I'm sure they will be understanding if your luggage is lost due to delays etc. I recently had to take a deposition in jeans and a t-shirt after American Airlines lost my luggage. Caught a fair amount of good-natured poo poo for dressing like it was "casual monday" but people will cut you a break about that kind of thing.
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Jun 20, 2010 18:34
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Bizob posted:I'm sure they will be understanding if your luggage is lost due to delays etc. I recently had to take a deposition in jeans and a t-shirt after American Airlines lost my luggage. Caught a fair amount of good-natured poo poo for dressing like it was "casual monday" but people will cut you a break about that kind of thing. Hehe... no, find a suit somewhere.
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Jun 20, 2010 18:51
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Vilerat posted:Hehe... no, find a suit somewhere. Yikes, shows what I know.
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Jun 20, 2010 20:03
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Vilerat posted:Hehe... no, find a suit somewhere. Done and done. Crisis averted gents!
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Jun 21, 2010 01:13
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aaaaaaa... 683 emails since this morning... now getting on top of things..  CherryCola and Suboptimal, I guess you're in luck - the jobs you applied to both have the same hiring manager (although are different jobs..) and guess who i have to meet today? Homie, how did your interview go?
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Jun 22, 2010 21:41
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Definitely going to give Skandiaavity props once again for being awesome and staying in contact with me and helping me along the way with my job hunt.
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Jun 22, 2010 22:11
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Skandiaavity posted:aaaaaaa... 683 emails since this morning... now getting on top of things.. Hot drat!! edit: and yes, Skandiaavity is my own personal hero. I know I still don't have a job, but you're definitely going above and beyond for a bunch of internet strangers. CherryCola fucked around with this message at 22:22 on Jun 22, 2010 |
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Jun 22, 2010 22:18
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please... no props until I actually land someone a job. I'm doing what I can  and let's get this back on track with the FS! A Security Specialist Position has opened!
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Jun 22, 2010 22:21
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Skandiaavity posted:aaaaaaa... 683 emails since this morning... now getting on top of things.. Just got the e-mail. Will be following up on this like a rabid wolf on a tender, unguarded lamb, and you've earned my profound thanks even if nothing pans out with this!
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Jun 22, 2010 22:49
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Skandiaavity posted:CherryCola and Suboptimal, I guess you're in luck - the jobs you applied to both have the same hiring manager (although are different jobs..) and guess who i have to meet today? Workin' on tweaking my resume with your suggestions right now, will have it to you by the end of the week. Echoing abovementioned props! Also gently caress that goon resume help service, what a waste of money.
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Jun 22, 2010 22:56
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Vilerat posted:While in Sudan the internet was ok, I thought Kigali was ~ok~ as well but somebody posting in this thread would correct me on that. Most countries have DSL or cable these days and while expensive sometimes, you should be able to get your internet on. I tried to get on SA for 4 hours tonight. That's how awesome our internet is here in Rwanda. On the plus side, I escaped the country for 2 weeks to Egypt for work/vacation. loving amazing.
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Jun 22, 2010 23:13
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